Dancing with the Torah

Tens of thousands of Israelis are dancing with the Torah at this hour in annual post-Simchat Torah festivities that help return secular Jews return to their roots. Outside of Israel, the "hakafot shniyot," will take place Wednesday night following the extra day of the Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah holiday celebrated in the Diaspora.

"Hakafot" refers to the dancing procession around the synagogue holding the Torah scrolls that are taken out of the Holy Ark on the holiday. Many secular Jews either live too far away to walk to a synagogue or do not attend synagogue services and are unable to participate in dancing on the holiday.

The tradition of a "second round" of dancing also links Jews in Israel with those outside of the country who begin observing Simchat Torah Tuesday night. Joining in the dancing is an expression of the joy of the gift of the Torah given to the People of Israel by the Almighty 3,500 years ago.

The celebrations in Israel are taking place throughout the entire country.

In Yafo (Jaffa), Hakafot Shniyot were set to begin at the DavidoffPark near the intersection of near Rechov Yerushalayim and Rechov Nachal Habsor at 8:00 p.m.

Hundreds of police have fanned out in Akko to prevent Arab disturbances in the festivities in the city, which was rocked by Arab riots on Yom Kippur.

In the town of Ariel, Hakafot Shniyot are being held in the MatnasCommunity Center, and in Netanya, the central celebration is taking place at the HaAtzmaut Square.

In Jerusalem, Hakafot Shniyot are being held at the Liberty Bell Park; in Tel Aviv, festivities are being held at Rabin Square in the presence of Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and in the city's Nachalat Yitzchak neighborhood, Chabad is organizing Hakafot Shniyot at the Ayalon school on Emek Habracha Road. Dancing at the Ramat Gan Yeshiva on Etzel Road begins at 9 p.m.

The Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva is holding all-night Hakafot Shniyot at the Rav Kook House on Rav Kook Street in the center of Jerusalem.