To Do

Eve of Shemini Atzeret, October 9, 2009

Light Candles:
Girls and women (or if there isn't a woman in the house, the head of the household), should light candles to usher in the holiday, please click here for candle lighting times in your city and recite the following blessings:

1) Blessed are You, L-rd, our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of the Shabbat and the Holiday.

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam Asher Ki-deshanu Be-mitzvo-tav Ve-tzvi-vanu Le-hadlik Ner Shel Shabbat v'shel Yom Tov.

2) Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

Pray
Attend evening services at your local synagogue.

Click here to find a synagogue near you.

Eat
Eat a festive meal in the Sukkah, without reciting the blessing Leshev Basukah.

Click here for holiday recipes.

Eve of Simchat Torah, October 10, 2009

Light Candles
After dark, women and girls light candles from an existing flame (such as from a pilot flame), as on the holiday one may not create a fire. Recite the following blessings:

1) Blessed are You, L-rd, our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of the Holiday.

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam Asher Ki-deshanu Be-mitzvo-tav Ve-tzvi-vanu Le-hadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov.

2) Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

Dance with the Torah scrolls!
On Simchat Torah we celebrate the fact that throughout the past year we read the entire Torah scroll. It is customary to go to the synagogue, dance with and around the Torah and be merry. Children are given gifts of candy and fruit because it is stated that the "commandments of the L-rd are sweeter than honey."

The joyful dancing takes place the preceding evening, this year on October 10, as well as during the morning services, on October 11, 2009.

Click here to create a Simchat Torah Flag.

Click here to find a Torah Rejoicing Ceremony near you.