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Shemini Atzeret
Simchat Torah
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Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת
) is a Jewish holiday
celebrated on the 22nd day
of the Hebrew month of
Tishri, beginning at sunset
the night before and is
generally translated as "the
eighth day of assembly".
In Israel, Shmini
Atzeret and Simchat Torah
are celebrated on this on
day, but outside of Israel
an additional day is
celebrated. Reform Jews
celebrate Shemini Atzeret
and Simchat Torah on the
same day in Israel and in
the Diaspora. The Talmud
declares the eighth day as a
separate holiday and one
dedicated to the love of
God.
References to the
celebration can be found in Bamidbar [Numbers] 29:35
("On the eighth day you
shall hold a solemn
gathering; you shall not
work at your occupations").
There is no use of the
Sukkah or the lulav and
etrog, though the Sukkot
liturgy also refers זמן
שמחתנו, "Time of Our
Happiness" to describe
Shemini Atzeret in prayers.
Simchat Torah (שמחת תורה)
means "Rejoicing in the
Torah." Simchat Torah marks
the completion of the annual
cycle of weekly Torah
readings, that is the 54
portions of the Torah read
in synagogue weekly.
On Simchat Torah, the
reading of the last Torah
portion is followed
immediately by the reading
of the first chapter of
Genesis, thus keeping the
cycle of Torah ever flowing.
The annual completion of the
Torah Readings is celebrated
in the synagogues with song
and dance, performing "Hakafot"
circling the Synagogue,
Torahs in hand.
In many
Synagogues all males over
Bar Mitzvah age attending
services are given the honor
of an aliyah (reciting a
blessing over the Torah
reading); And one aliya is
dedicated to children. Young
children are not allowed to
carry the heavy scrolls,
should they drop them, but
often you'll see children
with toy Torahs or waving
flags as they join the
celebration.
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Tikvah l'Chaim - Hope for Life
Ministries, Inc.
4206
North Arnold Mill Road ~ Woodstock,
Georgia 30188
Rabbi Gary
Maxted
Contact:
678-936-4125 or
rabbigary@tlchaim.com
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Website
Designed and Maintained by: Teresa
Hodges
thodges@tlcchurch.com
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