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What Is Simchat Torah?

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What Is Simchat Torah?

Once a year the synagogue becomes a dance floor and the Torah becomes our dance partner.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, Sukkot, Simchat Torah

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5 Comments
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Robin Rosenblatt SEBASTOPOL October 14, 2025

God Bless You, Robin Reply

David Harold Chester Petach Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025

It is is not what simply we do ! Simchat Torah from its name is a celebration of the giving of the Torah (or Jewish Law) within the first five books of Moses, which came to us through the hands of Moses. Although we do not include the Oral Law with it, it would be more logical if we did, but also to dance with it would be too much, due to its weight.

It is taken as a festival day with the need to refrain from work and to light candles with blessings and to recite Kiddish as we do on other festival days. It has another name as well, and in Eretz Yisrael the Shemini Atzeret (or Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly after Succoth) is on the same day, which is a bit confusing, due to it not being very solemn!.

When I arrived here by ship in Haifa on this day, many years ago, lots of young people were dancing in the streets and nobody was concerned with my registration as an Oleh nor even checked my passport, so I first became an illegal immigrant ! Chug Samach ! Reply

Tzevi Fayetteville, NC October 12, 2025

Love dancing with Torah , So up lifting !!! Reply

ingeborg oppenheimer new york state October 12, 2025

it would be helpful for us on-in-years folk if comments could be delivered more slowly. Reply

Jared postville October 11, 2025

So awesome! Reply

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