Simchat Torah
Home Main Page Chanukah Pesach Purim Rosh Hashonah Shavuot Simchat Torah Sukkot Yom Kippur

                                                                                                             

BACK TO FESTIVALS

YEAR 5763 5764 5765 5766 5767 5768 5769 5770 5771 5772
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
DATE SEP 29 OCT 19 OCT 8 OCT 26 OCT 15 OCT 5 OCT 22 OCT 11 OCT 1 OCT 21
  Falls on Jewish Date: 23 Tishri

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Shemini Atzeret, meaning "the eighth day of assembly," follows Sukkot. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday of Simchat Torah, meaning "Rejoicing of the Torah." In the Diaspora (outside of Israel) where extra days of holidays are held, only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah.

Shemini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season following the harvest in Israel. The prayer for rain, tefilat geshem, is one of the central prayers recited.

Simchat Torah focuses on the Torah - the Five Books of Moses. The annual cycle of weekly Torah readings is completed at this time. We read the last Torah portion, and then immediately proceed to the first chapter of Genesis. This reminds us that the Torah is a circle, and it never ends.

This completion of the Torah readings is a time of great celebration. There are processions around the synagogue carrying Torahs. As many people as possible are given the honour of carrying a Torah scroll in these processions. We celebrate our love of Torah with lots of joyful singing and dancing.

 

Last reviewed: 14 Nov, 2003