Simchat Torah (שמחת תורה) is a Hebrew term which means "rejoicing with/of the Torah". The annual cycle of reading the Torah is completed and begun anew, with the last section of Deuteronomy and the first section of Genesis read in succession after a festival parade of the Torah scrolls amidst singing, dancing and (typically) a moderate consumption of alcohol. It is one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar. Tishrei (or Tishri) (IPA: ) (Hebrew: תִּשְׁרֵי‎ (תִּשְׁרִי‎) Standard () Tiberian () ; from Akkadian Beginning, from To begin) is the first month of the civil year and the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar. ... A synagogue (from ancient Greek: , transliterated synagogÄ“, assembly; ‎ beit knesset, house of assembly; Yiddish: or Template:Lanh-he beit tefila, house of prayer, shul; Ladino: , esnoga) is a Jewish house of worship. ... Sukkot (Hebrew:  ; booths. ... “Hebrew” redirects here. ... The Torah () is the most important document in Judaism, revered as the inspired word of God, traditionally said to have been revealed to Moses. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Genesis (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Hebrew calendar (Hebrew: ‎) or Jewish calendar is the annual calendar used in Judaism. ...

Position in the calendar

Simchat Torah takes place on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret, or Eighth (day) of Assembly, which falls immediately after the seven-day holiday of Sukkot in the autumn (mid to late October). In 2007, Simchat Torah is on October 5, beginning at sundown the day before. A Jewish holiday or Jewish Festival is a day or series of days observed by Jews as holy or secular commemorations of important events in Jewish history. ... Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת - the Eighth [day] of Assembly) is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. ... Sukkot (Hebrew:  ; booths. ... is the 278th day of the year (279th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In Israel and among Reform Jews, Shemini Atzeret is one day long and the festivities and customs associated with Simchat Torah are celebrated on that day. Outside Israel (the Diaspora), Shemini Atzeret (except in Reform congregations who do not in general celebrate the second day of holidays) is two days long, with the Simchat Torah festivities observed on the second day. The first day is referred to as Shemini Atzeret and the second day as Simchat Torah, though both days are officially Shemini Atzeret according to Halakha, and this is reflected in the liturgy. Reform Judaism can refer to (1) the largest denomination of American Jews and its sibling movements in other countries, (2) a branch of Judaism in the United Kingdom, and (3) the historical predecessor of the American movement that originated in 19th-century Germany. ... Halakha (Hebrew: הלכה; also transliterated as Halakhah, Halacha, Halakhot and Halachah with pronunciation emphasis on the third syllable, kha), is the collective corpus of Jewish religious law, including biblical law (the 613 mitzvot) and later talmudic and rabbinic law as well as customs and traditions. ...

Evening festivities

Simchat Torah festivities begin with the evening service. All the synagogue's Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and carried around the sanctuary in a series of seven hakafot (circuits). Although each hakafah need only encompass one circuit around the synagogue, the dancing and singing with the Torah often continues much longer, and may overflow from the synagogue onto the streets. A synagogue (from ancient Greek: , transliterated synagogē, assembly; ‎ beit knesset, house of assembly; Yiddish: or Template:Lanh-he beit tefila, house of prayer, shul; Ladino: , esnoga) is a Jewish house of worship. ... The Ark in a synagogue (Jewish house of worship) is known as the Aron Kodesh amongst Ashkenazim and as Hekhál amongst most Sefardim. ...

In Orthodox and Conservative Jewish synagogues, each circuit is announced by a few invocations imploring God to Hoshiah Na (save us) and ending with the refrain Annenu Beyom Kor-enu (answer us on the day we call). Following the standard liturgy, the congregation often breaks into an extended session of singing, chanting, and dancing around the Torah scrolls to a variety of verses and tunes. In Orthodox synagogues, traditional chants include biblical and liturgical verses and songs about the Torah, the goodness of God, and Messianic yearnings, including songs about the restoration of the House of David and the Temple in Jerusalem. Children are often given flags, and tasty snacks and candies are served. The vigor of the dancing and degree of festive merriment varies with congregational temperament. In many synagogues it is customary to drink hard liquor on (Shmini Atzeret and) Simchat Torah, and Simchat Torah is one of only two occasions in the year (the other is Purim) where public drunkenness is tolerated (rather than encouraged as on Purim) as an expression of joy. Men and women in Orthodox synagogues dance separately in accordance with the rules of tzniut (modesty), usually on opposite sides of a mechitza (partition). In Conservative synagogues men and women dance together. In some congregations the congregants carry the Torah scrolls out into the streets and they may dance far into the evening. Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonised in the Talmudic texts (Oral Torah) and as subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and Acharonim. ... This article is about Conservative (Masorti) Judaism in the United States. ... In Jewish messianism and eschatology, the Messiah (Hebrew: משיח; Mashiah, Mashiach, or Moshiach, anointed [one]) is a term traditionally referring to a future Jewish king from the Davidic line who will be anointed (the meaning of the Hebrew word משיח) with holy anointing oil and inducted to rule the Jewish people during... House of David was a religious commune founded in 1902. ... The Temple in Jerusalem or Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, transliterated Bet HaMikdash and meaning literally The Holy House) was located on the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit) in the old city of Jerusalem. ... Purim (Hebrew: פורים Pûrîm lots, from Akkadian pūru) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance from Hamans plot to annihilate all the Jews of the Persian Empire, who had survived the Babylonian captivity, after Persia had conquered Babylonia who in turn had destroyed the First Temple... Purim (Hebrew: פורים Pûrîm lots, from Akkadian pūru) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance from Hamans plot to annihilate all the Jews of the Persian Empire, who had survived the Babylonian captivity, after Persia had conquered Babylonia who in turn had destroyed the First Temple... Tzniut or Tznius (also Tzeniut) (Hebrew: צניעות modesty) is a term used within Judaism and has its greatest influence as a notion within Orthodox Judaism. ... A mechitza (מחיצה--means partition, from the Hebrew word divide) is a physical divider placed between the mens and womens sections in Orthodox synagogues and at celebrations. ...

After the hakafot and dancing, a portion of the last parsha of the Torah, V'Zot HaBerachah (This is the Blessing...) Deuteronomy is read. The part read is often 33:1-34:12, but may vary by synagogue custom, although Deuteronomy is never read to the end in the evening. A Torah reading does not occur as part of the evening service on any other occasion in Orthodox and Conservative practice. In Jewish services, a Parsha or Parshah or Parashah, פרשה, meaning Portion in Hebrew, is the weekly Torah reading text selection. ... VZot HaBerachah, VZot HaBracha, VZot Habracha, VeZot Ha’Brachah, Vezot HaBerachah, Vzot Habrachah, Ve-zot Ha-berakha, VZot Haberakhah, Vezot Haberakhah, Vezot Habberakhah, or Zos Habracha (וזאת הברכה — Hebrew for and this is the blessing, the first words in the parshah) is the 54th weekly... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Jewish ritual of Torah reading (in Hebrew: קריאת התורה, Kriat HaTorah; Reading [of] the Torah) involves the public reading of a set of passages from a Torah scroll. ... Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonised in the Talmudic texts (Oral Torah) and as subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and Acharonim. ... This article is about Conservative (Masorti) Judaism in the United States. ...

Morning festivities

The morning service includes a regular morning service, with all the special holiday prayers including Hallel and a special holiday Amidah and a holiday Mussaf service after the Torah reading. Hallel (Hebrew: הלל Praise [God]) is part of Judaisms prayers, a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113-118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays. ... The Amidah (Standing), also called the Shemoneh Esrei (The Eighteen), is the central prayer in the Jewish liturgy that observant Jews recite each morning, afternoon, and evening. ... Mussaf The additional prayers offered on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Jewish Festivals in a traditional Jewish prayer service immediately following the regular morning service. ... The Jewish ritual of Torah reading (in Hebrew: קריאת התורה, Kriat HaTorah; Reading [of] the Torah) involves the public reading of a set of passages from a Torah scroll. ...

Early Priestly Blessing

One customary deviation from an otherwise ordinary Holiday morning service in some congregations is to perform the Priestly Blessing as part of the morning Amidah, before the celebrations connected with the Torah reading, rather than as part of the Mussaf service following it. The reason for the deviation is that the Bible prohibits Kohanim (descendents of Aaron) from performing the priestly blessing while intoxicated. Because of concern that Kohanim who are not meticulous may imbibe during the festivities associated with the procession of the Torah scrolls and either be unable to fulfill the priestly Mitzvah of performing the Priestly Blessing or break the prohibition on performing it under the influence, the blessing was moved to before the time when alcohol would be served. [1] (In most Conservative congregations, Kohanim do not perform the Priestly Blessing, although they do in some). The Priestly Blessing, (in Hebrew: Birkat Kohanim, ברכת כהנים) is a Jewish ceremony and prayer recited during certain specific Jewish services. ... The Amidah (Standing), also called the Shemoneh Esrei (The Eighteen), is the central prayer in the Jewish liturgy that observant Jews recite each morning, afternoon, and evening. ... Cohen (disambiguation) Position of the kohens hands and fingers during the Priestly Blessing A kohen (or cohen, Hebrew כּהן, priest, pl. ... This article is about commandments in Judaism. ...

Hakafot

Before the Torah reading, seven hakafot (circuits) are performed, with all the congregation's Torah scrolls carried in circuits around the synagogue with chants and dancing, although the dancing is often somewhat shorter and more restrained than in the evening, as the congregation is often somewhat tired (and sometimes somewhat hung over) from the previous night's festivities. Festive refreshments, and liquor, are customarily served. [2] The Jewish ritual of Torah reading (in Hebrew: קריאת התורה, Kriat HaTorah; Reading [of] the Torah) involves the public reading of a set of passages from a Torah scroll. ...

Torah reading

After the processions and the dancing three scrolls of the Torah are read. The last parshah (section) of the Torah, called V'Zot HaBerachah at the end of Deuteronomy (33:1-34:12), is read from the first scroll, followed immediately by the first chapter (and part of the second) of the Book of Genesis (1:1-2:3), read from the second. “Parsha” redirects here. ... The Torah () is the most important document in Judaism, revered as the inspired word of God, traditionally said to have been revealed to Moses. ... VZot HaBerachah, VZot HaBracha, VZot Habracha, VeZot Ha’Brachah, Vezot HaBerachah, Vzot Habrachah, Ve-zot Ha-berakha, VZot Haberakhah, Vezot Haberakhah, Vezot Habberakhah, or Zos Habracha (וזאת הברכה — Hebrew for and this is the blessing, the first words in the parshah) is the 54th weekly... For other uses, see Genesis (disambiguation). ...

A variety of customs are observed as part of the Torah reading. In many congregations it is customary to call every single eligible member of the congregation who wants one to an aliyah as part of the reading of the end of Deuteronomy, and in some congregations the section is repeatedly re-read and the reading can take a very long time. Some congregations, particularly in large Conservative synagogues, will call people in groups. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Kol HaNe'arim

Another custom is to call all the boys (in some Modern Orthodox and Conservative congregations, all the children) to an aliyah, called Kol HaNe'arim (all the children) towards the end of Deuteronomy. In many Orthodox congregations, it is customary for the congregation (or as many as can fit) to hold a Talit (or several) over the heads of the children for the congregation to bless the children by reciting (in Hebrew) a verse from Jacob's blessing to Ephraim and Manashe (Manassas), Genesis 48:16: Tallit טלית (or tallet) in Hebrew, or Tallis in Yiddish, is a prayer shawl cloak that is worn during the morning Jewish services (the Shacharit prayers) in Judaism. ... This entry incorporates text from the public domain Eastons Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897. ... Manassas is an independent city located in the state of Virginia. ... For other uses, see Genesis (disambiguation). ...

May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the children, and may my name be declared among them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they teem like fish for multitude within the land.

The blessing of the children is omitted from the 1985 edition of Conservative Judaism's Siddur Sim Shalom prayer book, but was reinstated in later versions of Sim Shalom. Most Conservative congregations still perform it. Siddur Sim Shalom may refer to any siddur in a family of Jewish prayerbooks released by the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. ...

Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit

Another custom is to honor two members of the congregation by calling them up to the last aliyah ending Deuteronomy and the first aliyah beginning Genesis (respectively). The two members are called the Chatan Torah (Bridegroom of the Torah) and Chatan Bereisheit (Bridegroom of Genesis). As traditions evolve, a third, the Chatan Maftir (Bridegroom of theHaftarah) has been nominated at many synagogues. A traditional speech especially praising them is read, and it is customary for members of the congregation to hold a talit over the heads of the (Chatan Torah and) Chatan Bereisheit as they stand when the Torah is read, symbolizing a bridal chuppah (canopy). This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Genesis (disambiguation). ... The haftarah (haftara, haphtara, haphtarah, Hebrew הפטרה‎; plural haftarot, haftaros, haphtarot, haphtaros) is a text selected from the books of Neviim (The Prophets) that is read publicly in the synagogue after the reading of the Torah on each Sabbath, as well as on Jewish festivals and fast days. ... Tallit טלית (or tallet) in Hebrew, or Tallis in Yiddish, is a prayer shawl cloak that is worn during the morning Jewish services (the Shacharit prayers) in Judaism. ... An elaborate chupah A chuppah (Hebrew: חוּפָּה) (also spelled khuppa, chupah, or chuppa - plural: chuppot, Hebrew: חוּפּוֹת) is a canopy traditionally used in Jewish weddings. ...

Haftarah

After the portion of Genesis is read, the Maftir, Numbers 29:35-30:1, is read from a third Torah scroll. The passage describes the prescribed sacrifices performed for the holiday. The haftarah (reading from the prophets) is the first section of the Book of Joshua. Maftir is the final section of the weekly parsha read on Shabbat and holiday mornings in synagogue from a Torah scroll. ... The Book of Numbers is the fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the Hebrew ba-midbar במדבר, i. ... Korban (קרבן) (plural: Korbanot קרבנות) is a Jewish practice of sacrificing an animal or of making an offering at the Temple. ... The haftarah (haftara, haphtara, haphtarah, Hebrew הפטרה‎; plural haftarot, haftaros, haphtarot, haphtaros) is a text selected from the books of Neviim (The Prophets) that is read publicly in the synagogue after the reading of the Torah on each Sabbath, as well as on Jewish festivals and fast days. ... The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in both the Hebrew Tanakh and the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. ...

Joy and a bit of mischief

Both the evening and morning services on Simchat Torah are unconventionally joyous, and humorous deviations from synagogue decorum are often tolerated. A variety of traditional mischief is performed in many congregations to increase the interest of the children, often abetted by some of the adults. In addition to the old standby of underage drinking, Trickster practices include spraying water on the Hazzan (reader) during the prayer for rain, shouting chants at various times in the service for no particular reason, reciting prayers in funny accents, tying the fringes of the Hazzan's Talit to some suitable post during a part of the service when he is not supposed to move, singing parodies of songs, stealing and hiding the belongings of various official types, saying a mix of the various Kaddishes and much more. [3] [4] The trickster figure Reynard the Fox as depicted in an 1869 childrens book by Michel Rodange. ... A hazzan or chazzan (Hebrew for cantor) is a Jewish musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the synagogue in songful prayer. ... Tallit טלית (or tallet) in Hebrew, or Tallis in Yiddish, is a prayer shawl cloak that is worn during the morning Jewish services (the Shacharit prayers) in Judaism. ... This article is about the Jewish prayer. ...

Restarting the Torah reading cycle

The following Shabbat, Jews start reading the Torah again from the beginning of the Book of Genesis. It represents the belief that the Torah is a neverending circle. This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ...

Origin

The name Simchat Torah was not used until a relatively late time. In the Talmud (Meg. 31b) it is called simply the second day of Shemini Atzeret. The Talmud (Hebrew: תַּלְמוּד) is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history. ... Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת - the Eighth [day] of Assembly) is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. ...

In the ninth century, some European Jewish communities assigned a special reading from the Prophets to be read on this day. In the fourteenth century the reading of Genesis was added immediately upon the completion of Deuteronomy. In southern European countries it then became a general practice to take out all the Torah scrolls from the ark, and to sing a separate hymn for each scroll. In northern European countries it became customary for those who had finished the reading of Deuteronomy to make donations to the synagogue, after which the wealthier members of the community would give a dinner for friends and acquaintances. By the end of the fifteenth century it was usual, though not a universal practice, for the children to tear down and burn the sukkahs on Simchat Torah (Joseph Colon, Responsa, No. 26); and shortly afterward many Rabbis permitted dancing in the synagogue at this festival (ib.). As a means of recording the passage of time the 9th century was the century that lasted from 801 to 900. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... The sukkah is a temporary dwelling that Jews use during the holiday of Sukkot. ...

In the sixteenth century the practice of taking out the scrolls and of filing solemnly around the bimah on the night of the 23nd of Tishri became customary; and on the same evening, after the procession, a number of passages from the Torah were read. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Interior of the Amsterdam Esnoga: We see the tebáh (reader’s platform) in the foreground, and the Hekhál (Ark) in the background. ...

In Poland it was the custom to sell to the members of the congregation, on the 23nd of Tishri, the privilege of executing various functions during the services on Shabbats and festivals; i.e., the synagogue used this occasion as a fundraiser. People who made these donations were called up to the Torah and given a congregational blessing. Tishrei or Tishri (תִּשְׁרִי, תִּשְׁרֵי, Standard Hebrew Tišri, Tišre, Tiberian Hebrew Tišrî, Tišrê: from Akkadian tašrītu Beginning, from šurrû To begin... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... A Jewish holiday or Jewish Festival is a day or series of days observed by Jews as holy or secular commemorations of important events in Jewish history. ...

It became a custom for every male member of the congregation to read from the Torah, the passage Deut. 33:1-29 being repeated as many times as was necessary for this purpose. Today this practice is still followed in Orthodox synagogues; Conservative synagogues adapt this practice by also including women. One person is given the privilege of completing the reading of the Law with Deut. 34:1-12; he receives the name of Chatan Torah (bridegroom of the Torah). After him comes the member who recommences the reading of the Torah with Gen. 1. He is called the Chatan Bereshit (bridegroom of Genesis).

See also

• Shemini Atzeret
• Jewish holidays 2000-2050

Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת - the Eighth [day] of Assembly) is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. ... All Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date shown. ...

References

• Machzor Beis Yosef / The Complete Artscroll Machzor: Succos - Nusach Ashkenaz, Translation and Commentary by Avie Gold. Mesorah Publications, Ltd., 1989. (Fifteenth printing 2006). (Orthodox, Ashkenazic Prayerbook for Sukkot including Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah)
• Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals Ed. Lawrence Cahan, 1998. (Conservative)

ArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd. ... The mahzor (machzor in Hebrew, pl. ... Sukkot (Hebrew:  ; booths. ... Ashkenazi (אַשְׁכֲּנָזִי, Standard Hebrew Aškanazi, Tiberian Hebrew ʾAškănāzî) Jews or Ashkenazic Jews, also called Ashkenazim (אַשְׁכֲּנָזִי&#1501... ArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish, more specifically a Haredi, perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd. ... Ashkenazi (אַשְׁכֲּנָזִי, Standard Hebrew Aškanazi, Tiberian Hebrew ʾAškănāzî) Jews or Ashkenazic Jews, also called Ashkenazim (אַשְׁכֲּנָזִי&#1501... Sukkot (Hebrew:  ; booths. ... Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת - the Eighth [day] of Assembly) is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. ...

External links

• Dance and Be Happy!
• Complete guide for Simchat Torah