REJOICING OF THE TORAH
The holiday of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Torah) celebrates the start of a new year of scripture readings.
Jewish study of the scriptures, or Torah, is structured as a yearly cycle. This holiday marks the end of the past year´s cycle of Torah readings and the start of a new one. In general, Simchat Torah is considered a part of the Shemini Atzeret holiday, which follows Sukkot.
Simchat Torah is celebrated on the twenty-third day of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls between late September and early October in the Gregorian calendar.
During Simchat Torah services, the ark containing the holy scriptures is opened and the Torah scrolls are taken out to be carried around the sanctuary seven times in circuits known as hakafot. The worshipers dance and sing in celebration as the scrolls are borne around the synagogue.
While Simchat Torah is not a public holiday in the United States, many Jewish-run organizations are closed on this date.
Chag Sameach!