Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Level: Basic |
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...On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival
of Sukkot, seven days for the L-RD... on the eighth day, there shall be a
holy convocation for you. -Leviticus 23:34
Tishri 22, the day after the seventh day of
Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. In
Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday
of Simchat Torah. Outside of Israel, where extra
days of holidays are held, only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is
Simchat Torah: Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and 23, while Simchat Torah is
Tishri 23.
These two holidays are commonly thought of as part of Sukkot, but that is
technically incorrect; Shemini Atzeret is a holiday in its own right and
does not involve some of the special observances of Sukkot. We do not take
up the lulav and etrog on these days, and our dwelling in the sukkah is more
limited, and performed without reciting a
blessing.
Shemini Atzeret literally means "the assembly of the eighth (day)."
Rabbinic literature explains the holiday this
way: our Creator is like a host, who invites us as visitors for a limited
time, but when the time comes for us to leave, He has enjoyed himself so
much that He asks us to stay another day. Another related explanation: Sukkot
is a holiday intended for all of mankind, but when Sukkot is over, the Creator
invites the Jewish people to stay for an extra day, for a more intimate
celebration.
Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah."
This holiday marks the completion of the annual cycle of
weekly Torah readings. Each week in
synagogue we publicly read a few chapters
from the Torah, starting with Genesis Ch. 1 and working our way around to
Deuteronomy 34. On Simchat Torah, we read the last Torah portion, then proceed
immediately to the first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah
is a circle, and never ends.
This completion of the readings is a time of great celebration. There are
processions around the synagogue carrying Torah
scrolls and plenty of high-spirited singing
and dancing in the synagogue with the Torahs. Drinking is also common during
this time; in fact, a traditional source recommends performing the priestly
blessing earlier than usual in the service, to make sure the
kohanim are not drunk when the time comes!
As many people as possible are given the honor of an
aliyah (reciting a blessing over the Torah
reading); in fact, even children are called for an aliyah blessing on Simchat
Torah. In addition, as many people as possible are given the honor of carrying
a Torah scroll in these processions. Children do not carry the scrolls (they
are much too heavy!), but often follow the procession around the synagogue,
sometimes carrying small toy Torahs (stuffed plush toys or paper scrolls).
In some synagogues, confirmation ceremonies or ceremonies marking the beginning
of a child's Jewish education are held at this time.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are holidays on which
work is not permitted.
Shemini Atzeret will occur on the following days of the Gregorian calendar:
-
Jewish Year 5768: sunset October 3, 2007 - nightfall October 4, 2007
-
Jewish Year 5769: sunset October 20, 2008 - nightfall October 21, 2008
-
Jewish Year 5770: sunset October 9, 2009 - nightfall October 10, 2009
-
Jewish Year 5771: sunset September 29, 2010 - nightfall September 30, 2010
-
Jewish Year 5772: sunset October 19, 2011 - nightfall October 20, 2011
In Israel, Simchat Torah falls on the same day as Shemini Atzeret. Outside
Israel, Simchat Torah will occur on the following days of the Gregorian calendar:
-
Jewish Year 5768: sunset October 4, 2007 - nightfall October 5, 2007
-
Jewish Year 5769: sunset October 21, 2008 - nightfall October 22, 2008
-
Jewish Year 5770: sunset October 10, 2009 - nightfall October 11, 2009
-
Jewish Year 5771: sunset September 30, 2010 - nightfall October 1, 2010
-
Jewish Year 5772: sunset October 20, 2011 - nightfall October 21, 2011
For additional holiday dates, see
Links to Jewish Calendars.
© Copyright 5756-5767 (1995-2007), Tracey
R Rich
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