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Simchat Torah |
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Simchat Torah, which means the rejoicing of the Torah, is held on the twenty third of
Tishre (the second day of Shemini Azeret) and celebrates the annual completion of the
Torah cycle. On this day, the final Torah portion is read (Deuteronomy 33-34) and the
Torah cycle is immediately re-started with the reading of the Book of Genesis. While
Simchat Torah was not recognized as a distinct holiday during the Talmudic period, the
annual reading of the Torah was still completed on the twenty third of Tishre.
On Simchat Torah, all the Torahs are removed from the ark and the bimah is circled seven
times. On this holiday, all the men who are present are called to the bimah to read parts
of the final Torah portion. Consequently, Deuteronomy 33:1-29 is often repeated many times.
Traditionally, it has been considered a great honour to participate in the reading of both
the final and first Torah portions. As a result, individuals who are given these aliyot often
respond by giving money to the synagogue.
Children play a very important role in this holiday. Simchat Torah, for example, is the
only holiday where children (below Bar/Bat Mitzvah age) are granted an aliyah. Known as
kol ha-ne'arim (all the youngsters), the children in the congregation gather on the bimah,
where a tallit is spread above their heads, and recite the concluding portion of Deuteronomy.
During the Torah procession, children carry flags which are decorated with burning candles
and apples. In some communities, children are given the responsibility of taking apart the
sukkah on this day.
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