Simchat Torah & Shemini Atzeret
Worship
Shabbat
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot
Simchat Torah & Shemini Atzeret
Chanukah
Tu B'Shvat
Purim
Pesach
Shavuot
Tisha B'Av
Coming at the conclusion of Sukkot are the two holidays of Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret. In Israel and among liberal Jews they are combined into one holiday on the day after the conclusion of Sukkot. Among more traditional Jews outside of Israel, they are observed separately from one another on two consecutive days. Shemini Atzeret means the "Eighth Day of Assembly," while Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in Torah."
History
Shemini Atzeret is mentioned in the Bible, but its exact function is unclear. In Second Temple times, it appears to have been a day devoted to the ritual cleansing of the altar in the Temple. With the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, this function of the day became obsolete. Although it marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel and, therefore includes the year's first prayer for rain, its lack of clear definition may have provided the impetus to celebrate it in conjunction with Simchat Torah, a celebration of the conclusion of one and the beginning of another annual cycle of readings from the Torah. This latter holiday probably originated during the medieval period.
At Home
Unlike many other holidays, the observance of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are centered in the synagogue and community. On Shemini Atzeret, some still eat in the Sukkah (the traditional hut associated with the festival of Sukkot), but in contrast to Sukkot no blessings are associated with that activity.
In the Community
Beginning on Shemini Atzeret and lasting until Pesach (Passover), a short prayer for rain is inserted into the second blessing of the Amidah Prayer. It is traditional to include the Yizkor, or memorial service, as part of the liturgy for this day. Simchat Torah is characterized by joyful dancing with the Torah. The final portion of the Book of Deuteronomy is read in the synagogue followed by the beginning of the Book of Genesis. In this manner, the annual cycle of Torah readings continues unbroken.
Theology and Themes
While Shemini Atzeret's significance is somewhat unclear, Simchat Torah conveys a clear message about the centrality of Torah in Jewish life. It is both a source of Jewish identity and a precious gift from God. Simchat Torah is the day on which the whole community gathers to come into direct contact with the Torah and to express our joy in having received it.
Material from "My Jewish Learning"
Simchat Torah is the holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah and its beginning again--amid dancing, song, and celebration.
It is followed by Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday dedicated to the love of God, the final day of festivities.
