Are you a Torah scholar? This is your holiday. Are you somewhat familiar with Torah? This is your holiday too! Are you just starting to learn Torah? Perfect. Why? Becase Torah is the life of every Jew!
That’s why on Simchat Torah we dance with the Torah while it's wrapped, symbolizing our deep connection with the Torah, the source of our life, regardless of our level of understanding.
So wherever you are in your Torah study journey, Simchat Torah is your day!
We hope you enjoy the selection of articles and videos below, and we hope you have a place to celebrate Simchat Torah. If not, please
click here for a Chabad House near you.
L’chaim—to Life! Chag Same’ach!
Your friends @ Chabad.org
PS: With Shemini Atzeret coming in with Shabbat this year, be sure to finish your holiday prep and light candles well before sunset.
10 things to do before Simchat Torah
1
Brush Up on The Holiday
With two names (“Shemini Atzeret” is in the Torah, and the term “Simchat Torah” was introduced in the Middle Ages) and a range of emotions (we say Yizkor one day and dance with abandon on the next), this holiday must be unpacked and understood.
Like on all holidays, we usher in the day with candle-lighting. On the first evening, be sure to light well before sunset. And on the second night, light after nightfall from a pre-existing flame, since striking a match or lighting a lighter is forbidden.
In addition to challah (dipped in salt, not honey), your Simchat Torah meals should be festive and delicious. A Simchat Torah classic in many communities is stuffed cabbage (here’s why).
On Simchat Torah we complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah and immediately start it again. This is an ideal time to rededicate ourselves to daily Torah study, completing the entire Torah in a year’s time.
