ב"ה
Simchat Torah
Holidays
Sukkot & Simchat Torah 2026
A spectacular celebration of Jewish unity, faith in G‑d, and the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.
A spectacular celebration of Jewish unity, faith in G‑d, and the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah 2026
Following the seven joyous days of Sukkot, comes the happy holiday known as Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.
Following the seven joyous days of Sukkot, comes the happy holiday known as Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.
Mitzvahs & Traditions
Chol Hamoed
Chol Hamoed refers to the “intermediate period” of the festivals of Passover and Sukkot. They are the days sandwiched between the beginning and ending holy days of both festivals.
Chol Hamoed refers to the “intermediate period” of the festivals of Passover and Sukkot. They are the days sandwiched between the beginning and ending holy days of both festivals.
Sukkot Joy
In the holiday prayers, each festival is given a short description. Sukkot is simply described as the “Season of our Rejoicing”!
In the holiday prayers, each festival is given a short description. Sukkot is simply described as the “Season of our Rejoicing”!
Hoshana Rabbah
G‑d told Abraham: “If atonement was not granted to your children on Rosh Hashanah, I will grant it on Yom Kippur; if atonement was not attained on Yom Kippur, it will be given on Hoshana Rabbah.”
G‑d told Abraham: “If atonement was not granted to your children on Rosh Hashanah, I will grant it on Yom Kippur; if atonement was not attained on Yom Kippur, it will be given on Hoshana Rabbah.”
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah Guide
All the laws and traditions of Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah presented in a user-friendly fashion.
All the laws and traditions of Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah presented in a user-friendly fashion.
Chassidic Thought
I'm a Jew and I'm Proud
Before we roll back the Torah to Bereishit, let us reflect for a moment on Moses' final words: "Fortunate are you, O Israel…"
Before we roll back the Torah to Bereishit, let us reflect for a moment on Moses' final words: "Fortunate are you, O Israel…"
Simchat Torah Questionnaire
Seven thought-provoking questions that lead us to uncover deep truths and empowering messages embedded within this holiday.
Seven thought-provoking questions that lead us to uncover deep truths and empowering messages embedded within this holiday.
Souls in the Rain
As in a marriage, when the wedding-party is over, the couple's true intimate life begins. Shemini Atzeret is described as the "time of intimacy with the Divine." At this time, we ask for rain - the symbol of intimacy between heaven and earth.
As in a marriage, when the wedding-party is over, the couple's true intimate life begins. Shemini Atzeret is described as the "time of intimacy with the Divine." At this time, we ask for rain - the symbol of intimacy between heaven and earth.
Jewish Stories
The Anatomy of an Encounter
Netanyahu recalls sitting in his office when there was a knock on the door. "There is this gentleman who wants to see you. He says he knows you." In comes this strapping chassid, with a beard and peyot. "Do I know you?" Netanyahu said...
Netanyahu recalls sitting in his office when there was a knock on the door. "There is this gentleman who wants to see you. He says he knows you." In comes this strapping chassid, with a beard and peyot. "Do I know you?" Netanyahu said...
Simchat Torah of a Cantonist
No words were necessary. I knew I was to be one of those boys who would be sent away from home, perhaps never to see my parents again.
No words were necessary. I knew I was to be one of those boys who would be sent away from home, perhaps never to see my parents again.
When the Rebbe Invited Louis to Celebrate With Him
Louis had sadly become a drunk and had drifted away from family life. "Do you know if anyone might know how to contact him?" the Rebbe asked.
Louis had sadly become a drunk and had drifted away from family life. "Do you know if anyone might know how to contact him?" the Rebbe asked.
Torah Readings & Services
The Jewish Woman
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah Recipes
Traditional Jewish holiday recipes with emphasis on time-honored Simchat Torah cuisine.
Traditional Jewish holiday recipes with emphasis on time-honored Simchat Torah cuisine.
The Wonder of the Willow
The tree gives no fruit and the leaves give off no fragrance. Yet it is precisely in that “blandness” of being that we recognize the presence of something beyond. The willow’s minimalism is indicative of the inner point of the Jewish soul which is indivisible and thus empty of discernable distinctive qualities…
The tree gives no fruit and the leaves give off no fragrance. Yet it is precisely in that “blandness” of being that we recognize the presence of something beyond. The willow’s minimalism is indicative of the inner point of the Jewish soul which is indivisible and thus empty of discernable distinctive qualities…
Living
Melting the Icicle
Sometimes we feel like we're living in a freezer. An icicle hanging in a cave. Our dreams are stuck in dream mode. Frozen.
Sometimes we feel like we're living in a freezer. An icicle hanging in a cave. Our dreams are stuck in dream mode. Frozen.
Old age is a virtue and a blessing...It is true that a 20-year-old can dance the night away while his grandmother tires after a few minutes. But man was not created to dance for hours on end. Man was created to make life on earth purer, brighter and holier than it was before he came on the scene... In this regard, a person's value and productivity only increases with age... The institution of "retirement", which pushes millions of men and women to the sidelines of society each year, is a tragic waste of human life and resources.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe
Print Magazine
Anxieties, worries, feelings of inadequacy and failure—all these smother and cripple the soul from doing its job.
You need to find the appropriate time to deal with them. But don’t carry them around the whole day.
During the day, you are Adam and Eve before they tasted the fruit of good and evil.
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