Shemini Atzeret – (Simchat Torah)

The meaning of Shemini Atzeret is congregating (assembling) on the 8th day of Sukkot. If normally, we have a 7 day week then during Sukkot it is 8 days. What is the significance of the no. 8 in this case? It is the end of Sukkot week celebrations and the beginning of the Shemini Atzeret celebration.

In Shemini Atzeret we complete reading the Torah (the 5 Books) and begin again from the start, from the book of Genesis.

Traditionally, people spend all night reading the Torah only to re-start the reading all over again the next day. They celebrate and rejoice this event by dancing and holding the Torah books. As you recall, I explained in the Sukkot post, that it is a ‘mitzvah’ to celebrate and rejoice during Sukkot. Likewise in ‘Simchat Torah’ (simcha = happiness) people dance and rejoice in the Synagogues and also outside on the streets.

I would like to thank Jonathan Cahn and invite you to listen to his lesson in this video. It is very interesting and well explained and will help you understand Shemini Atzeret.

Enjoy the video.