Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah in United States

Many Jewish communities in the United States 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 a happy event that focuses on activities such reading the Torah.

©iStockphoto.com/Robert Simon

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. Central rituals for Simchat Torah include reading the Torah by concluding the Book of Deuteronomy and beginning the Book of Genesis. Other activities include performing the hakafot (dancing with the Torah) around the synagogue bimah (elevated area or platform in a Jewish synagogue). Synagogues in cities such as Philadelphia have, in the past, held song and dance events to mark Simchat Torah.

Public life

Many Jewish communities in the United States observe Shemini Atzeret on one day and Simchat Torah on the following day. These days are not nationwide public holidays in the USA but some Jewish organizations may be closed or offer a limited service to allow for festivities to occur on this day.

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 United States

• Labor Day ―Monday, September 2, 2013
• Rosh Hashana ―Thursday, September 5, 2013
• Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day ―Saturday, September 7, 2013
• International Literacy Day ―Sunday, September 8, 2013
• National Grandparents Day ―Sunday, September 8, 2013
• World Suicide Prevention Day ―Tuesday, September 10, 2013
• Patriot Day ―Wednesday, September 11, 2013
• International Day for South-South Cooperation ―Thursday, September 12, 2013
• Friday the 13th ―Friday, September 13, 2013
• International Programmers' Day ―Friday, September 13, 2013
• Yom Kippur ―Saturday, September 14, 2013
• International Day of Democracy ―Sunday, September 15, 2013
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer ―Monday, September 16, 2013
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day ―Tuesday, September 17, 2013
• First day of Sukkot ―Thursday, September 19, 2013
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day ―Thursday, September 19, 2013
• National POW/MIA Recognition Day ―Friday, September 20, 2013
• International Day of Peace ―Saturday, September 21, 2013
• Emancipation Day ―Sunday, September 22, 2013
• September equinox ―Sunday, September 22, 2013
• Last day of Sukkot ―Wednesday, September 25, 2013
• World Maritime Day ―Thursday, September 26, 2013
• World Tourism Day ―Friday, September 27, 2013
• World Rabies Day ―Saturday, September 28, 2013
• World Heart Day ―Sunday, September 29, 2013
• Gold Star Mother's Day ―Sunday, September 29, 2013