Simchat Torah

A guide to the laws, prayers and customs of Simchat Torah.

Angels don’t say l’chaim on Simchat Torah, so they arose to sing G-d’s praises in the heavens at the usual time. They found heaven littered with strange objects: torn slippers, broken heels. "Yes," admitted the angel Michoel, "this is my merchandise"

I was first called to the Torah at the age of 36. It was a short walk to the reading table, but in that brief period of time I became very anxious about what would be expected of me...

Benny clutched his little Torah scroll in one hand and held onto his father with the other. It was Simchas Torah, and they were on the way to shul. “Daddy, I won’t have to use a Chumash today to follow the Torah reading,” he said. “I can follow Parshas ...

All Jews, learned and unsophisticated alike, share equally in the Simchas Torah celebrations. For these celebrations tap a point in the soul which defies the entire concept of rank and gradation. Every Jew has a soul which is an essential G-dly spark. By ...

The soldier stared at the boy, fighting back tears. "Over these four terrible years, this is the first live Jewish child I have seen..."

Throughout the month of Tishrei we effect the simultaneous revelation of opposites.

On Simchat Torah, the elation we draw down is beyond the intellect.

A five minute Simchat Torah thought based on the teachings of Chassidut.