Why do we celebrate Simchat Torah?
Why do we celebrate 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”).
What holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah?
Shavuot
Shavuot falls seven weeks after Passover at the end of the counting of the Omer (a verbal counting of each of the 49 days between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuot). The holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai as well as the grain harvest for the summer.
What is the day after Simchat Torah called?
Shemini Atzeret
| Shemini Atzeret | |
|---|---|
| Official name | שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶֽרֶת Translation: “The eighth [day] of Assembly” |
| Observed by | Judaism, Samaritanism and Jews, Samaritans |
| Type | Jewish, Samaritan |
| Celebrations | Prayer for rain; includes the celebration of Simchat Torah |
How is Simchat Torah celebrated in Israel?
In Simchat Torah observant Jews usually go to the synagogue to read the last part of the Torah and end that cycle, and begin a new one reading the first part. This is a very happy celebration, they dance and sing with the Torah and usually kids get candy on this Holiday.
How do you celebrate Simchat Torah 2020?
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.
Can we drive on Simchat Torah?
Otherwise, using electricity, driving, working, and the other forbidden activities of Shabbat are also forbidden on Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
Is Simchat Torah a Yom Tov?
Right after the festival of Sukkot, the two-day festival of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah is celebrated. Constituting a major holiday, they are considered Yom Tov. …
Is there two days of Simchat Torah in Israel?
Shimini Atzeret in Israel is one day and Simchat Torah the next. The former one is less of a festival than the latter, but I am not completely sure if it is still regarded as a Yom Tov. Outside of Israel there two celebrations are of two days each, so the first day of Simchat Torah corresponds to the second day of Shimini Atzeret, I presume.
How are Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret the same?
So really BOTH days are Shemini Atzeret in the diaspora, but the special rituals of Simchat Torah are saved for the final day here, whereas in Isreal Shemini Atzeret IS Simchat Torah- just another name for the same holiday. And all of the holidays have different names, even in the Torah.
Is the wild dancing part of Simchat Torah?
The Torah reading that follows the wild dancing is often very playful and humorous, as it is a celebration of the great gift of God’s Torah. In recent times, Simchat Torah has also become a very “child-friendly” holiday.
Do you hand out candy at Simchat Torah?
In some synagogues, it is also popular for children to hand out candy to everyone. During Simchat Torah services the next morning, many congregations will divide into smaller prayer groups, each of which will use one of the synagogue’s Torah scrolls.