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Shemini Atzeret and Simkhat Torah
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When is Shemini Atzeret?Shemini Atzeret is the holiday which is celebrated on the eighth day of Succot (Tishri 22). What is Shemini Atzeret?Shemini Atzeret literally means "the assembly of the eighth (day)." Rabbinic literature explains the holiday this way: G-d 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. Why do we celebrate Shemini Atzeret?Over the course of the seven days of Succot, seventy bulls are brought, beginning with 13 on the first day and seven on the last. These are interpreted as being for the benefit of all the nations of the world. But on Shemini Atzeret, G-d says to the Jewish People, "All the guests have gone home now. Stay with me yet another day, and we will celebrate together, just you and I." What are the customs of Shemini Atzeret?The major custom is the reading of the Special Prayer for Rain "Teffilat Geshem" during the Mosaf service (Additional Service) by the Chazan (Cantor). When is Simchat Torah?23rd Tishrei 5760/61 outside of Israel What is Simchat Torah?Simchat means rejoicing and thus we are rejoicing the ending and beginning of the Torah, the Law that was given by G-d to Moses and the Jewish People at Mount Sinai on Shavuot. Why do we celebrate Simhat Torah?The annual cycle of weekly Torah readings is completed at this time. 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 Torahs and plenty of high-spirited singing and dancing. As many people as possible are given the honor of carrying a Torah scroll in these processions. This aspect of the holiday is known as Simkhat Torah, which means "Rejoicing in the Torah." As I said before, Simkhat Torah and Shemini Atzeret are separated in areas that observe an extra day of holidays, so outside of Israel, Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and Simkhat Torah is Tishri 23. What are the customs of Simchat Torah?Hakafot
Once the Ark is opened and all the scrolls have been taken out, everybody in the synagogue is given an opportunity to dance with them. Each dance begins with a circuit of the bimah (the central platform in the synagogue from which the Torah is read), which symbolises the altar in the Temple. This is done seven times. It is done to the sound of various Hebrew/Israeli melodies. The Hebrew term for this is "Hakafot". Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit The other main custom for this day involves the Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit, which takes place during the Morning Service (Shacharit) on Simchat Torah. "Chatanim" is the plural of "Chatan", which means bridegroom. "Chatan Torah" is the title given to the individual who is called to the Torah with a beautiful chant - describing his greatness in glowing terms - and is given the honour of reciting the blessing over the last section of the Torah to be read in the current year. The "Chatan Bereshit", "Bridegroom of the (Beginning of the) Torah," also a great honour, is called to the Torah with a similar introduction as that which introduced his fellow Chatan. He is given the honour of reciting the blessing over the beginning of the Torah, the section dealing with the Creation of the Universe by G-d List of DatesShemini Atzeret will occur on the following days of the Gregorian calendar:
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On the night of Simchat Torah, the celebration commences with the reading of a selection of verses, beginning "Ata Horayta," "You have been Shown," recounting how G-d revealed Himself to the Jewish People at Mt. Sinai. In some communities, these verses are auctioned off to the highest bidder and the money is given to charity.