Simchat Torah

SIMCHAT TORAH

Following Sukkot is the Eighth Day Festival Shemini Atzeret. This extra festival concludes the entire period that began with the High Holidays. Shemini Atzeret is a time for holding on to God’s felt Presence that was so palpable during these special days. Yizkor is observed on Shemini Atzeret. Attached to Shemini Atzeret is the celebration of Simhat Torah, when the annual cycle of Torah reading is completed and begun again.

At Dorshei Emet, we invite the whole congregation to dance and sing with the Torah at our evening Simhat Torah service, in which children especially parade with the Torah. We cap our celebrations with a special Shabbat Kiddush. We show our appreciation to two worthy members of our community by honouring them as Hatan Torah and Kallat Bereishit.