Sh'mini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
"On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall bring an offering by fire to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work." – Leviticus 23:36
Though distinct from Sukkot, Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are intimately linked to its spirit, serving as a joyful and meaningful conclusion to the festival.
Sh’mini Atzeret, meaning “The Eighth Day of Assembly,” is a time for deeper reflection and connection—a spiritual encore to the week of Sukkot. It invites us to linger in sacred space just a little longer, savoring an intimate moment with the Divine beyond the communal celebration.
Simchat Torah, or “Rejoicing in the Torah,” is a jubilant celebration that marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the immediate beginning of the new one. With singing, dancing, and parading the Torah scrolls, we embody the joy of Jewish learning and the enduring rhythm of our sacred story.
