Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Some facts about Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah: - Shemini Atzeret means "eighth [day] stop" and it is an independent holiday that follows Sukkot. - Simchat Torah means "The Joy of the Torah" and it is the second day of Shemini Atzeret in the Diaspora or the same day as Shemini Atzeret in Israel. - On Shemini Atzeret, we pray for rain, remember the departed souls, and stop taking the Four Kinds. In the Diaspora, we still eat in the sukkah but without a blessing. - On Simchat Torah, we celebrate the completion and restart of the annual Torah-reading cycle by dancing and marching with the Torah scrolls around the synagogue. - It is customary for every man and child to receive an aliyah (Torah reading) on Simchat Torah. - Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are major holidays (yom tov) when most forms of work are prohibited. We light candles, recite kiddush, and enjoy festive meals. - Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are characterized by utterly unbridled j...