Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah in Canada

Many Jewish communities in Canada celebrate Shemini Atzeret (or Shmini Atzeret) and Simchat Torah. Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday dedicated to the love of God. Simchat Torah marks the end of the Sukkot (or Sukkoth) festival.

Simchat Torah is happy occasion, in which the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings is completed.

©iStockphoto.com/Lily Rosen-Zohar

What do people do?

Shemini Atzeret is the holiday that follows immediately after the seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabbah. Shemini Atzeret is a time when prayers or celebrations for rain and a good harvest are made for the coming year in the Jewish calendar.

Simchat Torah is a joyous event. The annual cycle of weekly Torah readings is completed at this time, which marks a period of great celebration. Activities include performing the hakafot (dancing with the Torah) around the synagogue bimah (elevated area or platform in a Jewish synagogue).

Public life

Many Jewish communities in Canada observe Shemini Atzeret on one day and Simchat Torah on the following day. These days are not nationwide public holidays in Canada but some Jewish organizations may be closed or offer a limited service to allow for festivities to occur on this day. Election dates in some parts of Canada, such as Ontario, have been moved in previous years to avoid clashing with religious or culturally significant holidays, such as Shemini Atzeret. 

Background

The name "Shmini Atzeret" refers to the eighth day, or the extra day, that brings the seven-day Sukkot period to its state of perfection. Rabbinic tradition teaches that Shemini Atzeret is the day when the world is judged for water, or rainfall, in the upcoming year. It is an important day for agricultural purposes.

Simchat Torah is generally celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeret in Israel and among Reform Jewish groups. These two occasions are also observed as two separate days among many Jewish communities outside of Israel.

About Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah in other countries

Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Observances

Related holidays

• First day of Sukkot ―Thursday, September 19, 2013
• Last day of Sukkot ―Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Other holidays in September 2013 in Canada

• Labour Day ―Monday, September 2, 2013
• Rosh Hashana ―Thursday, September 5, 2013
• Yom Kippur ―Saturday, September 14, 2013
• First day of Sukkot ―Thursday, September 19, 2013
• September equinox ―Sunday, September 22, 2013
• Last day of Sukkot ―Wednesday, September 25, 2013