Stories

Is Simchat Torah a holiday in Israel?

Is Simchat Torah a holiday in Israel?

Following closely after Sukkot, Simchat Torah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and marks the beginning of a new annual cycle. Outside of Israel, it will be observed as a Jewish holiday on the 23rd of Tisheri.

Can Simchat Torah fall on Shabbat?

A section of the Torah is read every Shabbat morning. (In Israel, Simchat Torah can sometimes fall on a Shabbat; elsewhere, where it is a day later, it is always a weekday.)

What do we celebrate on Simchat Torah?

The rejoicing characteristic of Simchat Torah is meant to express the joy that Jews feel in their possession and observance of the words of the Torah (the “Law”). Simhath Torah is celebrated on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

How do you celebrate Simchat Torah?

Simchat Torah is celebrated by taking all the Torah scrolls out of the ark in synagogue and spending the evening dancing, singing, and rejoicing. The scrolls are carried around the sanctuary in seven circles called hakafot. Though only seven circles are required, the dancing and celebrating usually goes on much longer.

How is Simchat Torah a major Jewish holiday?

This holiday is characterized by utterly unbridled joy, which reaches its climax on Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the conclusion—and restart—of the annual Torah-reading cycle. How: These two days constitute a major holiday ( yom tov ), when most forms of work are prohibited.

When is the holiday of Shemini Atzeret in Israel?

( 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.

What do we read in synagogue each week?

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.

Share via: