Simchat Torah

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Simhat Torah 17th century

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Paper Flag for Simchat Torah

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Dan Hadani collection (990044437980205171)

Simchat Torah (Hebrew: שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה, "Rejoicing with/of the Torah") is a Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. Simchat Torah is a component of the Shemini Atzeret holiday, which follows immediately after the festival of Sukkot in the month of Tishrei (which falls in September or October). While Shemini Atzeret is a separate holiday, Simchat Torah is celebrated specifically on the second day of Shemini Atzeret in Israel, and on the second day outside of Israel, where Shemini Atzeret extends to two days.

Celebrations

The main celebration of Simchat Torah involves the reading of the Torah in synagogue. During the evening and morning services, all the Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark, and congregants participate in seven hakafot (circuits), dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls in a joyous expression of love for the Torah. The final portion of Deuteronomy is read, followed by the beginning of Genesis, symbolizing the continuous cycle of Torah reading.

Another significant aspect of Simchat Torah is the honor of being called up to the Torah. On this day, there is a custom to call up every male member of the congregation (in some communities, women also have their own celebrations and readings). The last person called up for the reading of Deuteronomy is known as "Chatan Torah" (the bridegroom of the Torah), and the first person called up for the reading of Genesis is known as "Chatan Bereshit" (the bridegroom of Genesis).

Historical Background

The celebration of Simchat Torah developed during the Gaonic period (circa 6th to 11th centuries) in Babylon. It was not originally a biblical holiday but was established by the rabbis to mark the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. Over time, it became a day of great rejoicing and celebration within the Jewish community.

Customs and Traditions

In addition to the hakafot and Torah readings, Simchat Torah is characterized by various customs and traditions. These include the distribution of sweets and flags to children, singing special songs and hymns, and communal meals. The joyous nature of the holiday is such that it is considered a mitzvah (commandment) to participate in the celebrations and to express one's happiness and love for the Torah.

In the Jewish Diaspora

The observance of Simchat Torah varies slightly between Israel and the Jewish diaspora. In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeret, as they observe one day of the holiday. In the diaspora, where an additional day is observed, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the day following Shemini Atzeret. This difference is due to the traditional Jewish calendar being based on lunar months, which occasionally requires the addition of a day to holidays outside of Israel to ensure the correct observance of festival dates.

Conclusion

Simchat Torah is a vibrant and joyous holiday that celebrates the centrality of the Torah in Jewish life and marks the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle. It is a time for communal joy, reflection on the continuous nature of Torah study, and looking forward to beginning the cycle anew with fresh insights and dedication.