Simchat Torah 41 articles

Cakes, cookies and breads that I bake for the Holidays, I bake only for the Holidays. Except for testing out recipes, that is. In this way, my High Holiday baked goods...

Simchat Torah: Why Dance Now? – Why do we rejoice over the Torah at this holiday and not on Shavuot, the holiday seemingly more appropriate?

All Jewish holidays and observances, with the exception of some fasts, begin on the evening previous to the first day. Except as noted, all require special additional prayers and services are...

Did the angels agree that Man should be given the Torah? Not at first, according to the Midrash. However, when they protested, G-d told Moshe to answer them. He said to...

Who are the “Chatanim?” First of all, “Chatanim” is the plural of “Chatan,” which means bridegroom. This word befits the occasion, for the Jewish People on this day is expressing its...

What are Hakafot? On the night preceding Simchat Torah and again the following morning , Jews all over the world (in Israel, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah...

What appears to be the last day of Sukkot, and what in the Diaspora is the “second” day of Shmini Atzeret, is called Simchat Torah, literally “the joy of/over Torah.” On...

On Simchat Torah, we read Parshat V’zot HaBracha. At first glance, it seems only appropriate that this portion be read, as the very foundation of Simchat Torah is the siyum (completion)...

Throughout Sukkot, special offerings were brought on the Altar in the Temple. Our Sages have taught us that the 70 special bull sacrifices brought on Sukkot were for the benefit of...

What is Simchat Torah? The holiday of Simchat Torah is a great invention of the Jewish People in their Exile. It celebrates the completion of and the beginning of the “Reading...