What is the difference between Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?
What is the difference between Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?
In the Diaspora, the celebration of Simchat Torah is deferred to the second day of the holiday. Commonly, only the first day is referred to as Shemini Atzeret, while the second is called Simchat Torah. Karaite Jews and Samaritans also observe Shemini Atzeret, as they do all Biblical holidays.
What is Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah?
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are the culmination of the High Holiday season that starts with the Hebrew month of Elul and Rosh Hashanah, and continues with the 10 Days of Repentance, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
What is special about Shemini Atzeret?
Shemini Atzeret, (Hebrew: “Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly”), a Jewish religious festival on the eighth day of Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), considered by some to be an independent celebration immediately following Sukkoth.
What is the Hebrew date of Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah
| Simhat Torah | |
|---|---|
| Date | 22nd (outside of Israel 23rd) day of Tishrei |
| 2020 date | Sunset, 9 October – nightfall, 10 October (11 October outside of Israel) |
| 2021 date | Sunset, 27 September – nightfall, 28 September (29 September outside of Israel) |
What does Simchat Torah celebrate?
Simchat Torah is one of the most fun days of the Jewish year. We celebrate the completion of our annual cycle of reading the entire Torah in synagogue. After seven “hakafot,” rounds of parading and dancing with the Torah, we read the final passages of the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy.
Can you work on Shemini Atzeret?
Shemini Atzeret Observant Jews do not work or travel on this yom tov or “holy day.”
Is Simchat Torah a holiday in Israel?
Following closely after Sukkot, Simchat Torah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and marks the beginning of a new annual cycle. Outside of Israel, it will be observed as a Jewish holiday on the 23rd of Tisheri.
Is Passover celebrated for 8 days?
Passover lasts eight days and the first two and last two days are observed as full days of rest.
Do you wish someone a happy Simchat Torah?
The greeting for Simchat Torah is simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday).
Why do we pray for rain on Shemini Atzeret?
The prayer for rain (tefilat geshem) is recited beginning on Shemini Atzeret since the day marks the start of the rainy season in Israel. We pray for rain at the beginning of rainy season in Israel and for dew before summertime, which is traditionally long, dry and hot.