Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah in United States

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 23, 2010
• Last day of Sukkot–Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Other holidays in September 2010 in United States

• Laylat al-Qadr (Sunday, September 5, 2010)
• Labor Day (Monday, September 6, 2010)
• International Literacy Day (Wednesday, September 8, 2010)
• Rosh Hashana (Thursday, September 9, 2010)
• World Suicide Prevention Day (Friday, September 10, 2010)
• Eid-al-Fitr (Friday, September 10, 2010)
• Patriot Day (Saturday, September 11, 2010)
• Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (Saturday, September 11, 2010)
• National Grandparents Day (Sunday, September 12, 2010)
• International Day of Democracy (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (Thursday, September 16, 2010)
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Friday, September 17, 2010)
• National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Friday, September 17, 2010)
• Yom Kippur (Saturday, September 18, 2010)
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sunday, September 19, 2010)
• International Day of Peace (Tuesday, September 21, 2010)
• First day of Sukkot (Thursday, September 23, 2010)
• Autumnal equinox (Thursday, September 23, 2010)
• World Heart Day (Sunday, September 26, 2010)
• Gold Star Mother's Day (Sunday, September 26, 2010)
• World Tourism Day (Monday, September 27, 2010)
• World Rabies Day (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)
• Last day of Sukkot (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)
• World Maritime Day (Thursday, September 30, 2010)

Other calendars

• Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
• Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
• Custom calendar - make customized calendars

Related links

• Moon Phase Calculator
• Find duration between two dates
• Add a number of days to a given date
• Find when you are 20000 days old - and other useless facts
• Countdown to New Year