Simhat Torah

Simhat Torah

Between September 28 and October 26; Tishri 22 or 23

This Jewish holiday, which follows Sukkot, celebrates the annual completion of the public reading of the Torah, or the first five books of the Bible, and the beginning of a new reading cycle. The hand-lettered scrolls of the Torah are removed from the Ark (a box-like container) and paraded around the synagogue—and sometimes through the streets—amidst singing and dancing. Simhat Torah means "rejoicing in the law," which is as good a description as any of what takes place on this day. To be chosen as the Bridegroom of the Law—to read the final verses of the last book, Deuteronomy—or the Bridegroom of the Beginning—to read the opening verses of the first book, Genesis—is considered a great honor.
In Israel and among Reform Jews, this festival is observed on the 22nd day of Tishri, concurrently with Shemini Atzeret; all other Jews celebrate it separately on the 23rd day. Israelis also hold a second hakkafot ("procession around the synagogue") on the night after Simhat Torah, frequently accompanied by bands and choirs.
Simhat Torah customs have varied from country to country. In Afghanistan all the scrolls are taken out of their Arks and heaped in a pyramid almost to the synagogue's roof. In Cochin, China, a carpet was laid on the courtyard flagstones, coconut oil lamps were heaped in a pyramid in front of the synagogue entrance, and the scrolls of the Law carried around the outside of the synagogue. One synagogue in Calcutta, India, has 50 scrolls, and the women go from scroll to scroll, kissing them. At the end of the holiday a Simhat Torah ball is held and a beauty queen chosen. Young Yemeni children are taken to the synagogue for the first time on this holiday.
In southern France, two mourners stand on either side of the reader, crying bitterly as the death of Moses is related. The Bridegrooms of the Law in Holland are escorted home in a torchlight parade accompanied by music. A crown from one of the Torah scrolls was placed on the head of every reader in medieval Spain, and in some places in eastern Europe, the reader wore a large paper hat decorated with bells and feathers.

CONTACTS:
Union for Reform Judaism
633 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10017
212-650-4000; fax: 212-650-4169
www.urj.org
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
212-563-4000; fax: 212-564-9058
www.ou.org

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 710
BkFest-1937, p. 204
BkHolWrld-1986, Oct 11
DictWrldRel-1989, pp. 155, 693
FolkAmerHol-1999, p. 407
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 592
HolSymbols-2009, p. 834
OxYear-1999, p. 726