Introduction
After an entire month of spiritual growth beginning with Elul and continuing through Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkos, the Jewish people arrive at Shemini Atzeres. This unique Yom Tov is not merely the conclusion of Sukkos. It is a special private audience with Hashem, a day in which the blessings and revelations of the High Holidays are internalized and drawn into the coming year. Chazal describe it as a separate festival, and Chassidus explains that it is the culmination and fulfillment of all that was accomplished throughout Tishrei.
*Note for those in Eretz Yisrael: Those who keep only one day of Yom Tov [i.e. residents of Eretz Yisrael] fulfil the customs of Simchas Torah on Shemini Atzeres. See the next Halacha for the full details of the laws and customs of Simchas Torah.
- The Spiritual Meaning of Shemini Atzeres
The Day We Receive Strength for the Entire Year
Shemini Atzeres is the day on which every Jew receives Divine assistance and blessing for Torah study, prayer, and service of Hashem throughout the coming year.
Just as we begin mentioning rain on Shemini Atzeres, we also begin receiving the spiritual “rainfall” that nourishes our Divine service during the months ahead.
Drawing Down the Light of the High Holidays
Throughout Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, extraordinary revelations of G-dliness are elicited through awe, repentance, and reverence.
On Shemini Atzeres these same revelations are drawn down again, but through joy and celebration. The Divine energy that was revealed through fear of Heaven is now internalized through happiness and closeness to Hashem.
A Day of Extraordinary Rejoicing
There is a special mitzvah to rejoice on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.
Jewish custom has always been to celebrate these days with even greater joy than other Yamim Tovim, including the rejoicing of Simchas Beis HaShoevah.
Forty-Eight Precious Hours
The Rebbe Rayatz related in the name of the Rebbe Rashab that the forty-eight hours of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah should be cherished immensely.
Every moment contains the ability to draw down abundant spiritual and material blessing. This is accomplished primarily through dancing and rejoicing.
- Erev Shemini Atzeres
Shehechiyanu at Candle Lighting
When lighting candles for Shemini Atzeres, the blessing of Shehechiyanu is recited.
- Eating in the Sukkah
In the Diaspora
- Outside Eretz Yisrael one continues eating in the Sukkah on Shemini Atzeres, both at night and during the day.
- However, the blessing of Leisheiv Basukkah is not recited.
What Must Be Eaten in the Sukkah?
- Bread meals and mezonos that require the Sukkah are eaten there, just as on Sukkos.
Chabad Custom
- The Chabad custom is to be meticulous to eat and drink everything in the Sukkah throughout Shemini Atzeres, including Kiddush.
In Eretz Yisrael
Residents of Eretz Yisrael do not eat or sleep in the Sukkah on Shemini Atzeres.
- The Prayers of Shemini Atzeres
Called a Chag
In the Yom Tov prayers, Shemini Atzeres is referred to as a Chag, a festival in its own right.
Hakafos on the Night of Shemini Atzeres
The Chabad custom is to perform seven Hakafos on the night of Shemini Atzeres with great joy, singing, and dancing.
Even after completing Hakafos in one synagogue, one should participate in the dancing of another synagogue if they are still celebrating.
Eretz Yisrael
In Eretz Yisrael, where Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah coincide, the Simchas Torah Hakafos are held during Maariv.
- The Yom Tov Meal
Kiddush
- Shehechiyanu is recited during Kiddush.
- In many Chabad communities today in Israel each man recites his own Kiddush.
No Honey with Hamotzi
Unlike the High Holidays and Hoshana Rabbah, it is customary not to dip the challah in honey on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.
Marital relations:
Marital relations is initially avoided on Simchas Torah unless it is the night of Mikveh or one has a strong desire.
- Shacharis and Torah Reading
Hakafos:
Hakafos is not done on Shemini Atzeres day in the Diaspora. This applies even according to those accustomed to performing Hakafos on the night of Shemini Atzeres. In Israel, where Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah coincide, the Simchas Torah Hakafos takes place during Shacharis prayers.
Torah Reading
- Two Torah scrolls are removed.
- The reading of Kol Bechor is read from the first Torah scroll, while Maftir is read from the section of Bayom Hashmini Atzeres.
- The Haftorah is read from Melachim describing the conclusion of Shlomo Hamelech’s dedication of the Beis Hamikdash.
- Yizkor
When Is Yizkor Recited?
Yizkor is recited on Shemini Atzeres.
Who Remains in Shul?
Those with a deceased parent remain in the synagogue.
Those whose parents are both living customarily leave during Yizkor.
Charity During Yizkor
One should pledge charity on behalf of the souls being remembered.
Chabad Custom
It is not the Chabad custom to light a Yizkor candle.
The Chabad custom is also to hold onto the Eitz Chaim of a Torah scroll while reciting Yizkor.
- Mashiv Haruach U’Morid Hageshem
- Beginning with Musaf of Shemini Atzeres, we start reciting:
Mashiv Haruach U’Morid Hageshem
- This marks the beginning of the winter liturgy and our requests for beneficial rainfall.
- The chazzan announces the change prior to the silent Musaf.
- If a person who is not praying with a different minyan heard the announcement of Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem before praying Shacharis, then he should say this phrase in Shacharis as well [as in Musaf].
- Shnayim Mikra
- On the eve of Simchas Torah, one should complete Shnayim Mikra V’Echad Targum for Parshas Vezos Habrachah.
- In Eretz Yisrael this is done on Hoshana Rabbah, while in the Diaspora it is done on Shemini Atzeres.
- Bidding Farewell to the Sukkah
In the Diaspora, shortly before sunset on the afternoon of Shemini Atzeres, many enter the Sukkah one final time to eat or drink something and bid farewell to the mitzvah of Sukkah.
Simchas Torah
If Shemini Atzeres is the day when the blessings of Tishrei are internalized, Simchas Torah is the day when those blessings erupt in boundless joy. The focus is not on Torah study alone, but on celebrating our essential connection to the Torah. Every Jew, regardless of scholarship or background, participates equally in this joy through dancing, singing, and rejoicing with the Torah.
- The Mitzvah of Rejoicing
The Day of Torah Joy
The final day of Yom Tov is called Simchas Torah because we celebrate the completion of the annual Torah-reading cycle and immediately begin the Torah anew.
Rejoice More Than Any Other Yom Tov
Jewish custom is to rejoice on Simchas Torah with even greater joy than other Yomim Tovim and even greater than Simchas Beis Hashoeivah.
Joy Must Be Holy
True Simchas Torah joy is the joy of a mitzvah. Pushing, aggressive behavior, or reckless conduct detracts from the holiness of the celebration.
Every Moment Is Precious
The Rebbe Rayatz quoted the Rebbe Rashab that during the forty-eight hours of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah one can draw down “barrels and buckets” of blessings through joyful dancing.
Celebrating Our Essential Connection
Hakafos itself is based on Jewish custom. Simchas Torah celebrates not only Torah learning, but the intrinsic bond between every Jew and the Torah itself.
- The Sukkah on Simchas Torah
No Eating or Sleeping in the Sukkah
On Simchas Torah one does not eat or sleep in the Sukkah.
- Maariv and the Night Celebration
Beginning the Celebration
Following Maariv, Chabad communities traditionally hold a Farbrengen before Hakafos.
Increase the Light
It is customary to illuminate the synagogue in honor of the Torah scrolls.
Ata Hareisa and Hakafos
The evening centers around Ata Hareisa, Hakafos, dancing, singing, and rejoicing with the Sifrei Torah.
- The Simchas Torah Meals
Festive Meals
It is customary to hold joyous meals both at night and during the day in honor of the completion of the Torah.
Kiddush
Shehechiyanu is recited during Kiddush. On the night of Simchas Torah it is customary for all [men] to say Kiddush themselves.
No Honey
Unlike the High Holiday season, challah is not dipped in honey on Simchas Torah.
Wine and Celebration
One should drink wine in fulfillment of Simchas Yom Tov. Chassidic communities traditionally enhance the joy through appropriate festive l’chaims.
- Hakafos and Dancing
Seven Hakafos at Night
The Chabad custom is to perform seven complete Hakafos on the night of Simchas Torah.
All Torah Scrolls Participate
All available Torah scrolls are removed from the Aron Kodesh and carried in joyous processions.
Hakafos Without a Minyan
Hakafos may be performed even if a Minyan is not present.
Join Other Communities
Even after completing Hakafos in one synagogue, one should join the dancing of another synagogue if its Hakafos are still underway.
Mourner Participation
The Chabad custom is that a mourner may participate when accompanied by another person.
A Resolution for the Year
It is customary to accept new resolutions regarding Torah learning and Torah dissemination during Simchas Torah.
- Shacharis
A Joyous Morning Service
Following Hallel and Kiddush, the congregation proceeds to the daytime Hakafos.
Birchas Kohanim
In many communities Birchas Kohanim is performed during Shacharis.
Three-and-a-Half Hakafos
The Chabad custom is to circle the Bimah three and a half times while reciting the complete Hakafos liturgy.
CHITAS
Special emphasis is given to the learning of Vezos Habrachah and the beginning of Bereishis.
- The Torah Reading
- Ata Hareisa, Vayehi Binsoa and the thirteen Middos are recited prior to Kerias Hatorah, as is done on all Holidays.
- The reading and Torah scrolls: Three Torah scrolls are removed from the ark. From the first Torah scroll one reads six Aliyos from Vezos Habracha until the end of the Torah. From the second Torah scroll one reads a seventh Aliyah from Bereishis until the words “Asher Bara Elokim Lasos.” From the third Torah scroll, the same Maftir as yesterday is read, from “Ubayom Hashemini Atzeres.” For the Haftorah one reads from Yehoshua “Vayehi Acharei Mos Moshe.” If the congregation only has two Torah scrolls then Vezos Habracha is read from the first scroll, Bereishis is read from the second scroll, and the first Sefer Torah is returned and used for the reading of Maftir. [This however only applies if the first scroll is rolled to the third Parsha prior to its Hagba. If, however the first scroll was not rolled to the third Parsha prior to its Hagba, then it is better to read the third Parsha from the second scroll.]
- Each man gets an Aliyah: It is customary to increase in calling up people for Aliyos on Simchas Torah. Practically, the custom is for every male to receive an Aliyah. To facilitate this, the Parsha is repeated many times [until Shishi, Meona Elokim Kedem]. Alternatively, many people may be called up for the same Aliyah, such as many Kohanim for the Aliya of Kohen, and many Levi’im for the Aliyah of Levi. Nonetheless, there are Poskim who question this custom. In any event, it is best when doing so that only one person says the blessing and all the others be Yotzei with him.
- On Simchas Torah relatives may be called up one after the other for Chasan Torah and Chasan Bereishis, and some say this may be done for all the Aliyos.
- If there are many Kohanim and Levi’im present, they may be given the 4th or 5th Aliyah after the regular order of Kohen, Levi and Yisrael. In such a case it is proper to repeat the order of Kohen, Levi, Yisrael.
- A Kohen or Levi may receive Chasan Torah or Chasan Bereishis.
- An Avel prior to Shiva may receive an Aliyah during Simchas Torah. However, some write he is not to be called up as one of the 5 required Aliyos.
- Kol Hanearim: It is a worldly custom that on Simchas Torah all the male children receive an Aliyah to the Torah. This Aliyah is customarily known as Kol Hanearim. [It is customary for many children to go up together. It is customary to spread a Tallis over the heads of the children during this Aliyah.] It is likewise customary to recite the Parsha of Hamalach Hagoel [after the conclusion of the reading]. [Practically, the Chabad custom is not to spread a Tallis over the heads of the children during the Aliyah of Kol Hanearim. Likewise, it is not customary to read the verses of Hamalach Hagoel. One is to have at least one adult above Bar Mitzvah called up together with the children for this Aliyah. The adult is to say the blessings out load and have all the children listen and be Yotzei rather than have all the children say the blessing themselves. Nonetheless, some are accustomed to have all the children recite the blessings themselves. The Chabad custom is to have the adult Olah recite the blessing on behalf of all the children who cannot say it themselves. Some are accustomed to bringing their son with them for their personal Aliya rather than have the child go up for Kol Hanearim.]
- Chasan Torah/Bereishis: It is customary for the Chasan Torah and Chasan Bereishis to donate towards the Shul and arrange for a communal feast to be held. It is customary to call up even a child for Chasan Torah, and it is not necessary to give the Aliyah specially to a Torah scholar, even though there are opinions who require this to be done. [It is not the Chabad custom to spread a Tallis as a canopy over the heads of the Chasan Torah or Chasan Bereishis when they are called to the public reading of the Torah].
- Reciting Chazak Chazak Venischazek: The person who is called to the reading of the concluding passage of the Torah is to say the words Chazak, Chazak, Venischazek together with the rest of the congregation.
- Sisu Vesimcha: The prayer of Sisu Vesimcha is recited after the Maftir and Haftorah, prior to Yizkor.
- Yizkor: In the Diaspora, Yizkor is recited on Shemini Atzeres and not on Simchas Torah. See Halacha 5G!