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 joy and gratitude for the gift of the Torah.

History of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

- Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are two Jewish holidays that follow the seven-day festival of Sukkot.

- Shemini Atzeret means "the eighth [day] stop" and it is a separate holiday from Sukkot, but it is connected to it in some ways. It is celebrated on the 22nd of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar.

- Simchat Torah means "the joy of the Torah" and it is celebrated on the 23rd of Tishrei in the Diaspora, or on the same day as Shemini Atzeret in Israel. It marks the completion and the restart of the annual cycle of reading the Torah.

- The main customs of Shemini Atzeret are the prayer for rain, which signifies the start of the rainy season in Israel, and the Yizkor prayer, which remembers the souls of the departed.

- The main customs of Simchat Torah are the hakafot, which are processions and dances with the Torah scrolls around the synagogue, and the aliyot, which are readings from the Torah for every man and child in the congregation.

- The origin of Shemini Atzeret is biblical, as it is mentioned in Leviticus 23:34 as an additional day of rest after Sukkot. The origin of Simchat Torah is rabbinic, as it developed from the custom of finishing the Torah reading cycle on Shemini Atzeret, which was adopted by most Jews in the 8th century CE.

How do people celebrate Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?

- Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are two holidays that immediately follow the seven-day festival of Sukkot. They are celebrated as one day in Israel and two days in the Diaspora.

- Shemini Atzeret means the "Eighth Day of Assembly" and is thought to be a time of bonding between God and the Jewish people. Simchat Torah means "The Joy of the Torah" and is a festive celebration of the Jewish people's love of and commitment to the Torah.

- On these days, there are no specific mitzvot (commandments) to observe, except for refraining from work and other activities that are prohibited on major holidays (yom tov). However, there are some customs and traditions that are unique to these holidays, such as:

- Beginning the recitation of the prayer for rain (tefillah geshem) on Shemini Atzeret, which marks the start of the rainy season in Israel.

- Singing and dancing with the Torah scroll around the reading table in the synagogue, in a ceremony called hakafot. This is done on both the eve and the morning of Simchat Torah, and in some synagogues also on the eve of Shemini Atzeret.

- Completing the yearly cycle of Torah readings and beginning the next cycle on Simchat Torah. The last portion of Deuteronomy (V'zot Habrachah) is read, followed by the first portion of Genesis (Bereishit). Everyone is called up for an aliyah (Torah honor) on this day, including children.

- Having festive meals on both nights and days of the holidays, accompanied by kiddush (blessing over wine). Some people also eat in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeret, but without reciting a blessing over it.

Hakafot in Simchat Torah

- Hakafot (הקפות) are the joyful processions of dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls that take place on Simchat Torah (שמחת תורה), the holiday that celebrates the completion and renewal of the annual cycle of Torah readings.

- Simchat Torah is observed on the second day of Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת), the eighth day of assembly that follows the seven days of Sukkot (סוכות), in Israel and among Reform Jews, and on the ninth day outside Israel among traditional Jews.

- The hakafot are performed on both the evening and the morning of Simchat Torah, and in some communities also on the evening of Shemini Atzeret.

- Before the hakafot begins, a series of verses called Atah Horeita (אתה הראית) are recited three times, praising God for giving the Torah to Israel. These verses are often auctioned off to members of the congregation who donate to charity in exchange for the honor of leading them.

- All the Torah scrolls are then taken out of the ark (ארון הקודש) and given to different people to hold. The Torah scrolls remain closed and covered with their velvet mantles, and their crowns are not removed. This symbolizes that the celebration is for every Jew, regardless of their level of knowledge or understanding of the Torah's words.

- The leader of the hakafot leads the procession of Torah holders around the bimah (בימה), the platform where the Torah is read, while chanting short prayers and supplications, such as Ana Hashem Hoshia Na (אנא ה' הושיעה נא), meaning "Please, G-d, save us now". The congregation responds with similar phrases, such as Ana Hashem Hatzlicha Na (אנא ה' הצליחה נא), meaning "Please, God, grant us success now".

- The procession goes around the bimah seven times, corresponding to the seven circuits that Joshua made around the walls of Jericho before they fell. Each circuit is called a hakafah (הקפה), and after each one, a different person is honored by holding the Torah scroll. The number seven also represents the seven days of creation, the seven lower sefirot (ספירות), or divine attributes, and the seven types of Jewish souls.

- During the hakafot, lively songs and melodies are sung, expressing love and gratitude for the Torah and its giver. Some of the popular songs include Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu (אשרינו מה טוב חלקינו), meaning "How fortunate are we, how good is our portion", and Sisu V'simchu B'simchat Torah (שישו ושמחו בשמחת תורה), meaning "Rejoice and be happy on Simchat Torah".

- The hakafot is not only a time for dancing with the Torah scrolls but also for dancing with each other. Men, women, and children join hands and form circles or lines, moving in harmony and joy. Some people also wave flags or handkerchiefs or toss candy or nuts to the children. The atmosphere is festive and ecstatic, as everyone feels a personal connection to the Torah and its infinite wisdom.

- The hakafots are a unique opportunity to express our love for God and His Torah and to receive blessings and inspiration for the new year. As we dance with the Torah, we also dance with our souls, which are a part of God's essence. We celebrate not only the completion of a cycle but also the beginning of a new one, with renewed enthusiasm and commitment to study and fulfill God's will.

Atah Ha'raita in Simchat Torah

- Atah Ha'raita (אתה הראת) means "You have shown" in Hebrew and is the first phase of a set of seventeen verses that are chanted in Simchat Torah.

- Simchat Torah (שמחת תורה) means "Rejoicing with the Torah" in Hebrew and is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the completion and restart of the annual cycle of reading the Torah.

- The seventeen verses of Atah Ha'raita are taken from various parts of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) and highlight the special relationship between God and the Jewish people through the Torah.

- The verses are chanted three times before the hakafot, which are the festive processions and dances with the Torah scrolls around the bimah (the synagogue reading table) on Simchat Torah.

- The verses are usually sung to a lively and upbeat melody, reflecting the joyous mood of the holiday.

- The verses are as follows (in Hebrew and English translation):

אתה הראת לדעת כי ה' הוא האלהים אין עוד מלבדו

You have shown to know that the L-rd, He is G-d; there is none else besides Him. (Deuteronomy 4:35)

מן השמים השמעת את קולך ללמד את עמך תורה ומצות

From heaven You made Your voice heard to teach Your people Torah and commandments. (Psalms 68:12)

אתה הוא ה' האלהים אשר בחרת באברם והוצאתו מאור כשדים ושמת שמו אברהם

You are He, the L-rd G-d, Who chose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name Abraham. (Nehemiah 9:7)

ומצאת את לבבו נאמן לפניך וכרות עמו הברית לתת את ארץ הכנעני החתי האמרי והפרזי והיבוסי והגרגשי לתת לזרעו

And You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his seed. (Nehemiah 9:8)

ותזכר את בריתך לאברהם ליצחק וליעקב

And You remembered Your covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. (Exodus 2:24)

ותרא את עני אבותינו במצרים ואת זעקתם שמעת על הים

And You saw our fathers' affliction in Egypt, and their cry You heard by the Sea. (Nehemiah 9:9)

ותעש אותות ומופתים בפרעה ובכל עבדיו ובכל עם ארצו

And signs and wonders You performed upon Pharaoh, and all his servants, and upon all the people of his land. (Nehemiah 9:10)

וידעת כי היו זדים אותם

And You knew that they acted presumptuously against them. (Nehemiah 9:10)

ותעש לך שם כהיום הזה

And You made Yourself a name, as it is this day. (Nehemiah 9:10)

והים בקעת לפניהם ויעברו בתוך הים ביבשה

And the sea You split before them, and they passed through the midst of the sea on the dry land. (Nehemiah 9:11)

ואת רודפיהם השלכת במצולות כמו אבן במים אזוזים

And their pursuers You did cast into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters. (Nehemiah 9:11)

ובעמוד ענן הנחית אותם יומם ובעמוד אש לילה להאיר להם את הדרך אשר ילכו בה

And with a pillar of cloud, You led them by day, and with a pillar of fire by night, to illuminate for them how they should go. (Nehemiah 9:12)

ועל הר סיני ירדת ודבר עמהם משמים

And upon Mount Sinai, You came down and spoke with them from heaven. (Nehemiah 9:13)

ותתן להם משפטים ישרים ותורת אמת חקים ומצות טובים

And You gave them right ordinances, and true teachings, statutes, and good commandments. (Nehemiah 9:13)

ואת שבת קדשך הודעת להם

And Your holy Sabbath You made known to them. (Nehemiah 9:14)

ומצוות וחקים ותורה צוית להם ביד משה עבדך

And commandments, and statutes, and a Torah You commanded them, by the hand of Moses Your servant. (Nehemiah 9:14)

אתה הוא ה' האלהים אשר בחרת באברהם

You are He, the L-rd God, Who chose Abram. (Nehemiah 9:7)

15 Simchat Torah Facts Every Jew Should Know - Chabad.org

Attah Hareita: It Has Been Shown To You | My Jewish Learning

Hakafot - Sukkot & Simchat Torah - Anglo-List

History of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah | My Jewish Learning

Holiday 101: Shemini Atzeret | PJ Library

How to celebrate Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah - Unpacked (jewishunpacked.com)

How to Celebrate Simchat Torah - Unbridled joy, aliyahs for everyone, concluding the Torah and starting it anew - Chabad.org

Learn Hebrew: Simchat Torah - Aish.com

Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah: History | Reform Judaism

Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah | Reform Judaism

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Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah Reference Guide - 2023 - Chabad.org

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Simchat Torah Hakafot Services (PDF) - Chabad.org

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Simchat Torah | Meaning, Traditions, Symbols, & Facts | Britannica

SIMCHAT TORAH - October 8, 2023 - National Today

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View Song: Ata Horeta Lada'at אתה הראת לדעת (zemirotdatabase.org)

What is Shemini Atzeret? - Chabad.org

What Is Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah? - An overview of the traditions and customs of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah - Chabad.org