The joy that will be experienced in the Kadoorie synagogue in Porto in a few days conflicts with the sadness that has been observed among the Portuguese population. Prolonged societal deprivation and economic depression heavily impact the family unit, often leading to widespread anxiety, sadness, and a diminished hope for the future.
Simchat Torah, which translates literally to "Rejoicing of the Torah," marks both the completion and the immediate restart of the annual cycle of public Torah readings. In the meantime, the Portuguese society around is the mirror of sadness.
In Portugal, the erosion of cultural institutions and community strategies removes vital support networks, leaving families to bear emotional and financial burdens entirely alone. Financial scarcity increases chronic stress, which frequently leads to higher rates of domestic conflict, anxiety, and clinical depression within the household.
Kadoorie synagogue's Simchat Torah is preparing to welcome prominent figures from Portuguese society. The party will be a lesson and an inspiration for a rotten society. Rather than treating the conclusion of reading the holy text as a final end, the Jewish community celebrates the opportunity to begin reading it all over again, demonstrating that their connection to God's word is eternal and continuous. Yet, Portugal is now a country without God. Empty churches due to lack of people, almost non-existent culture, are mirrors of the country now.
In the absence of macro-level culture or strategy, families create their own micro-cultures, relying on immediate relationships, shared rituals, or faith to maintain a sense of purpose. Individuals repeatedly face systemic barriers without seeing results from their efforts. They develop a sense of helplessness, making it difficult to envision a better future.
Woke communism has not proven to be a viable solution for Portuguese society, nor for any other known society. Systemic failure creates a heavy psychological burden that breeds widespread sadness. Jews prefer another way.
