“On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Sukkot, seven days for the L-RD… on the eighth day, there shall be a holy convocation for you.” — Leviticus 23:34
Tishri 22, the day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. At Lake Park Synagogue, Shemini Atzeret morning service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 9:15 AM.
In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday of Simchat Torah. Outside of Israel, where extra days of holidays are held, only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah: Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and 23, while Simchat Torah is Tishri 23. Lake Park Synagogue will not hold Simchat Torah services this year.
These two holidays are commonly thought of as part of Sukkot, but that is technically incorrect; Shemini Atzeret is a holiday in its own right and does not involve some of the special observances of Sukkot. We do not take up the lulav and etrog on these days, and our dwelling in the sukkah is more limited, and performed without reciting a blessing.
Shemini Atzeret literally means “the assembly of the eighth (day)” and is commanded in the Torah.
Simchat Torah means “Rejoicing in the Torah.” This rabbinical holiday marks the completion of an annual cycle of weekly Torah readings and the beginning of the next. On Simchat Torah, we read the last Torah portion, then proceed immediately to the first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah is a circle, and never ends.
This completion of the readings is a time of great celebration. There are processions around the synagogue carrying Torah scrolls with singing and dancing. As many people as possible are given the honor of carrying a Torah scroll in these processions.
In some synagogues, confirmation ceremonies or ceremonies marking the beginning of a child’s Jewish education are held at this time.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are holidays on which work is not permitted.
