Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah in State of Israel

When did the Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah in State of Israel start?

The first recorded date of Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah in State of Israel being celebrated on October 14 was in the year 1948.

About Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah in State of Israel Holiday

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah is a holiday full of joy and spiritual fulfillment celebrated by Jews in the State of Israel. During this special day, the people of this country rejoice as we honor and renew our commitment to the Jewish tradition. The joy of this holiday is expressed through prayers, dancing with the Torah and eating special meals with family and friends.

The beginning of Shemini Atzeret marks the end of the Jewish High Holy Days, when the Jews commemorate the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. As the holiday draws to a close, Simchat Torah is observed with great enthusiam and joy as we celebrate the completion of the Torah readings for the year. We dance with the Torah, sharing the joy of the tradition that has been with us for centuries, and recite special prayers thanking and praising the Lord.

For the people of the State of Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are special holidays that fill us with immense spirituality and joy. Our hearts are full as we reflect on the beauty and richness of the Jewish tradition and look forward to a new year with hope and happiness.

Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah in State of Israel

History and Origin

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are holidays that are celebrated in the State of Israel in conjunction with the end of the annual cycle of reading the Torah. The name ‘Shemini Atzeret’ comes from a Hebrew phrase which translates as ‘the assembly of the eighth day’, and the name ‘Simchat Torah’ translates from Hebrew as ‘the joy of the Torah’.

These holidays have been celebrated by the Jewish people since biblical times, in accordance with the Torah. The celebrations of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are rooted in the concept of the Nation of Israel’s strong bond with God and His teachings. It is also believed that the day of the Shemini Atzeret is when the Almighty decides upon the fate of the world – the rainy season in Israel being a sign of the benevolent nature of the Shemini Atzeret.

In modern times, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated together on the twenty-second day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. The celebration typically takes place over two days, with the date of Shemini Atzeret falling on the last day of a seven-day holiday period that precedes it. This period of seven days is known as Sukkot, or the Festival of Booths, which has been observed for more than 3,000 years.

During the intervening period between Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret, massive gatherings of the Jewish people take place, known as Hakhel, in which the Jews recite sections of the Torah and listen to the readings by the country’s prominent rabbis. The celebration also includes great feasts and other activities.

Significance and Meaning

The primary significance and meaning of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are associated with the unity and common bond of the Jewish nation. The holidays serve to emphasize the importance of the Torah as the foundation of Jewish collective identity and national unity.

The day of Shemini Atzeret is also seen as a kind of a Sabbath-like holy day, and is the day Jews pray for showers of blessings from Heaven. The day also serves as the introduction to the Rosheshone- the New Year of Redemption and celebrating the completion of the yearly cycle of Torah readings.

The celebration of Simchat Torah is considered a joyous and festive occasion, with Jews reveling in the joy of completing the annual reading of the Torah – not just through study of the script, but through active participation in community gatherings and celebrations.

Traditions and Celebrations

During the holiday of Shemini Atzeret, special prayers are recited to mark the start of a new yearly cycle of Torah reading. On the evening of the holiday, the Jews also recite the Yizkor (memorial) prayer, where the Jewish people pray for the departed souls of their beloved ones. This part of the Shemini Atzeret observance also includes the reading of the mourner’s Kaddish and the recitation of the Psalm of David.

On this day, the Jews also recite a special prayer of ‘hak’hel’ which translates as ‘get together.’ This prayer is seen as the cornerstone and focal point of the Shemini Atzeret celebration.

The holiday of Simchat Torah is celebrated with great enthusiasm as it marks the completion of the annual cycle of Torah reading. The people engage in a great deal of celebration and festivity which includes an elaborate and lively procession with the Torah scroll.

The procession usually begins at the synagogue and makes its way into the streets, accompanied by a large group of Jews dancing and singing joyously. On Simchat Torah it is customary to dance and sing the whole night, as well as chant a special song called ‘Hoshana.’

In the morning, the Torah is read in all Synagogues and the final section is chanted, while the congregation engages in celebratory singing and dancing. Another traditional custom of Simchat Torah is the handing out of flags and refreshments to young children who go around in a procession and bribes (or treats).

Geographical Spread

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated widely in the State of Israel and throughout Jewish communities around the world. In many places, this festive celebration has gained a distinctive local flavour.

In the north of Israel, for instance, the holiday is often celebrated in a very festive manner with musical and dance performances taking place in public squares and streets. In the centres of large cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, it is common for the celebrations to involve a variety of art performances and events.

The cities of Safed and Tiberias in the Galilee region of Israel are renowned for their especially lively Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah celebrations. Here, traditional folk entertainment is provided in the form of dramas, recitations, and religious songs.

In the southern regions of the State, the holiday is also celebrated in a traditional festive manner, often complemented by a unique local flavour. Furthermore, in Jerusalem, the celebration usually takes place in the evening, with people gathering in the open air in the newly built western part of the city to partake in prayer and local entertainment.

Modern Day Observations

In modern times, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated in much the same way as described above, with the traditional activities of song and dance, feasting, and procession still observed.

In addition, there are also several modern variations to the traditional celebrations. For instance, it is now fashionable to throw parties for children and young adults, some of these being organised in private homes while others being held at youth clubs and public venues.

Moreover, themed dinners and group meals are common activities used to celebrate the holiday. In these, the celebrators mix traditional Jewish food with local delicacies from the State of Israel. It is also common to decorate venues with green foliage and sukkot such as branches and fruits, and to hang flags and banners.

Though there are a few changes in the forms of celebrations, the importance and significance of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are firmly entrenched in modern-day Israel.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Shemini Atzeret is the only holiday in the Jewish calendar where a special prayer is recited for rainfall.
• The symbol of the holiday is a crown made of cardboard, known as a ‘sar’pion.’
• The procession of the Torah in celebration of Simchat Torah is referred to as ‘hakafot’ and is led by the rabbi and the cantor.
• According to Jewish traditions, the fully spelled out name of God (an acronym of four Hebrew letters) can only be read once a year – on Shemini Atzeret.
• During the recessional procession of the Torah, some Jews will dance til they drop of exhaustion.
• Some communities also have the tradition of staying up and praying all night during Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
• Although women are welcome to take part in the procession in some places, traditionally women do not carry the Torah in the procession.

Holiday Wishes

• Wishing you a joyous Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah!
• Chag Sameach! Happy Shemini Atzeret.
• Wishing you a wonderful Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah celebration.
• A special Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah blessing for you!
• Wishing you all peace, joy and happiness on the occasion of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Holiday Messages

• May the blessing of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah bring you and your family joy, health and happiness.
• May the day bring immense joy and blessings to your family on the blessed occasion of Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah.
• Have a blessed Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah, surrounded with love and joy!
• Sending you warmest greetings this Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
• Many blessings for your family on Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah!

Holiday Quotes

• “The day dedicates to divine illumination, and one must forgive those whose hearts have not been shown the Right Path.” (The Talmud)
• “May the joy of Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah be with you throughout the year.”
• “Celebrate the joy of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah with your friends and family.”
• “The day marks the beginning of a new cycle of salvation and joy and reminds us to remember our past and look forward to the future.”
• “On the day of Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah, let us take joy in our Jewish faith and its traditions.”

Other Popular Holiday Info

The State of Israel attaches great importance to the celebration of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. In fact, it is declared as a public holiday in the country, with its government offices, schools, and universities closed for the day.

Various public events, concerts and activities are held throughout Israel on Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah, and in many places, people will gather together to celebrate the day. The Jewish population of the State of Israel will often display banners and flags to decorate their homes and businesses throughout the days of Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah, with children partaking in parades and processions.

The popular activities of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah in contemporary Israel not only serve as a reminder of the past but also act as an embodiment of the culture and values of the Jewish people in modern times.

Ultimately, the celebration of Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah serves as an important opportunity to come together and celebrate the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and to renew our commitment to faith and learning.