SHEMINI ATZERET & SIMCHAT TORAH
שמיני עצרתשמחת תורה« Finishing the Torah in order to begin it again immediately. Because transmission never stops. »
Next occurrence3 October 2026 · In 22 days
The feast begins the evening before, at sunset.
In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined into a single day. In the Diaspora, they are celebrated over two separate days.
Understanding SHEMINI ATZERET & SIMCHAT TORAH
We complete the annual cycle of Torah reading — and begin it again right away with Bereshit.
The joy of this day is not only the joy of finishing a journey: it is the joy of a bond that never breaks.
Traditions
- The annual conclusion of the Torah reading.
- The immediate restart with Bereshit.
- Joy around the Torah.
- The hakafot, according to each community's tradition.
When a practice varies, it is presented as a custom according to communities, not as a universal obligation.
What this feast teaches us
« Each generation receives the Torah in order to pass it on to the next. »
Our action
TRANSMISSION NEVER STOPS
Sharing teachings for free and enabling ever more people to stay connected to the Torah.
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