When is simchat torah this year

Though it is a component of Sukkot, people are no longer obligated to eat and sleep in the sukkah, and in fact it is forbidden to do so. One of the practices of this holiday that is unique compared to other holidays is the dancing with the Torah scroll.

Sometimes the dancing even spills out onto the street, and those who do not have Torah scrolls just dance all night with their children in their arms. Therefore, service ends up being one of the longest ones of the year, and the meals are served incredibly late, but everyone is having too much fun to complain!

During the dancing, there are traditional chants and songs, mostly taken from Biblical verses. Some are expressions of hope for the coming of the Messiah, the building of the Temple, the restoration of the Davidic monarchy, and the return from the nearly two-thousand-year exile from the Land of Israel. Others express love for G-d, Torah, and the Jewish people.

When the Torah portion is read, there is a custom for every man in the congregation to come up and bless the Torah — rather than the usual six men blessing it on Yom Tov or seven on Shabbat. This is not a public holiday in the United States.

Most businesses, schools, and offices are open and follow regular hours, but Jewish-run businesses and organizations might be closed. Simchat Torah is a joyous event. Other activities include performing the Hakafot dancing with the Torah around the synagogue bimah elevated area or platform in a Jewish synagogue. Synagogues in cities such as Philadelphia have, in the past, held song and dance events to mark Simchat Torah.

These days are not nationwide public holidays in the USA but some Jewish organizations may be closed or offer a limited service to allow for festivities to occur on this day. The name "Shmini Atzeret" refers to the eighth day, or the extra day, that brings the seven-day Sukkot period to its state of perfection. Rabbinic tradition teaches that Shemini Atzeret is the day when the world is judged for water, or rainfall, in the upcoming year. It is an important day for agricultural purposes.

These two occasions are also observed as two separate days among many Jewish communities outside of Israel. These processions are called hakafot and symbolize the continuous cycle of Torah readings. As this is happening, the Torah scrolls are passed to different members of the congregation so that many people have an opportunity to participate.

Everyone in the congregation is invited to dance and sing with the Torah scrolls, and the scene is extremely festive and joyful. It is traditional to read the last Torah portion several times and invite everyone in the congregation to be called up for an aliyah blessing on the Torah. Why do Jews dance and sing with the Torah scroll? Share on twitter. Share on facebook. Share on pinterest.

Share on whatsapp. By Sara Himeles. Photo via National Library of Israel. What are Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah quick version? Members of the Jewish community on the island of Djerba or Jarbah, off eastern Tunisia take part in the autumn ceremony of Simchat Torah, the Festival of the Law, which falls in the autumn. A torah scroll is carried on the left arm and the eldest son on the right. What is Shemini Atzeret? What is Simchat Torah? Engraving depicting the Jewish celebration of Simchat Torah, marking the conclusion in the cycle of public Torah readings.

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