What are Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?

What are Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?

Have you ever heard of the Jewish holidays Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?

Shemini Atzeret occurs on the eighth day of Sukkot. This year, it will begin on the evening of Wednesday, October 23, and last until the evening of Friday, October 25. In the Torah, God commands the eighth (shemini) day of Sukkot to be observed in a special way as an atzeret (a word which may mean “solemn gathering”). The word’s meaning is unclear, leaving sages to ponder about whether this holiday is meant to be observed as part of Sukkot or celebrated on its own. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888) suggested that the holiday is meant to be observed by “gathering” or “storing up” gratitude for the blessings of the fall season.

Shemini Atzeret is often celebrated in conjunction with Simchat Torah, which means “rejoicing in the Torah.” Simchat Torah is the day when the year’s Torah readings conclude and restart. When observed in the synagogue, on Simchat Torah, the end of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Genesis are read, so that the annual cycle of Torah reading remains unbroken. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are days to rejoice in God’s blessings, especially the blessing of His Word.

It was during Simchat Torah that Hamas terrorists massacred 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 more on October 7, 2023. Today, 101 hostages remain in Gaza—and Israel is fighting a war on seven fronts. Visit cufi.org/warroom to find out how you can stand with Israel and the Jewish people today!