Simchat Torah

'Celebrate, alonside the pain'

Hundreds at hakafot shniyot in Tel Aviv

Hundreds at Rosh Yehudi and Heroes' Forum hakafot shniyot in Tel Aviv, attended by bereaved families and hostage families in the city.

Hakafot of pain and prayer at Be'eri synagogue

Simchat Torah celebration held in Kibbutz Be'eri's synagogue, together with members of the neighboring religious kibbutz Alumim.

Watch:

'For the sake of our brothers,' with hostage families

Hundreds join 'Quiet Hakafot' at the Sha'ar HaNegev junction, led by hostage families.

Chag Sameach from Israel National News!

Wishing a joyous Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah to all our readers. News coverage ends this evening, resumes Saturday evening.

Chag Sameach from Israel!

Updates Continue from North America

Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah about to begin in Israel. INN's North America desk will update the site until they start in New York.

Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi:

Simchat Torah: Israel's triumph of faith

How Rabbi Kook celebrated Simchat Torah.

Finding Resilience in Faith:

A Lesson from Grand Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky Skvere Rebbe OBM

Can we truly celebrate during such difficult times? A profound lesson from the past offers guidance.

Bereaved father:

'My consolation - this year I will conclude the Torah'

Arik, who lost his son in the October 7th massacre, talks about his complex feelings as the holiday of Simchat Torah once again approaches.

Simchat Torah:

How to celebrate the year after 5784

We should not allow the challenges we are facing to cause us to lose sight of the broader good and special times we are living in. We have much to celebrate and be thankful for.

How can we dance this Simchas Torah?

Joshua Bell’s violin—and the music of Jewish History: The story of a Stradivarius which escaped Nazism.

Remembering the fallen on Simchat Torah

A new initiative seeks to collect the names of all those fallen on Simchat Torah to be distributed to various congregations for the traditional Yizkor prayer for the deceased.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu:

'On Simchat Torah we will be joyful, not sad'

Rabbi Eliyahu answered the question of whether to rejoice during the High Holidays despite the war: 'On holidays we will try to do as much as we can to give strength to the public.'

October 7, 2023, a date that is etched in Jewish history

It is 3 months since the Simchat Torah massacre on October 7, a date that will join the days of mourning in Jewish history. Opinion.

Is it permissible to protest against Heaven?

Martyrs' families may ask why their beloved was killed, but the nation as a whole cannot complain about the events of Simchat Torah

The Nature Party

If a nature party was the way many Israelis felt the holiday of joy in the Torah should be spent, it is a call to those who educate them.

Support the family:

Brothers murdered by Hamas, family shattered

Help assist the family of two brothers massacred by Hamas terrorists on Simchat Torah.

The first fruits of Swords of Iron

Three major differences in the world before and after Simchat Torah.

Initial thoughts on the massive terror attacks of Simchat Torah

This is not only an Israeli problem, it is a free world problem. Op-ed.

The Simchat Torah War

Despite the temptation to indulge in depression now and obsessively watch the news – use your good judgment and keep to routine.

Smotrich to Gantz:

'Let's celebrate together on the streets of Tel Aviv'

Finance Minister announces he will join Rosh Yehudi's Simchat Torah celebrations, calls on Gantz to join.

Tel Aviv to allow Simchat Torah celebration - without partition

A court case between the city and the Rosh Yehudi organization has drawn a compromise on the issue of public services.

Simchat Torah: When the Torah rejoices

The Torah profits from our joy. As we complete the Torah, the Torah is complete. What can we do to be more complete ourselves?

The simcha of Zebulun and of Issachar.

The wonderful Torah supporting partnership of Zebulun and Asher is explored y various Torah Sages as we prepare for Simchat Torah.

The Great Whale, Sukkot and Simchat Torah

The whale of Messiah's time and the water libation are connected.

During Simchat Torah:

General closure in Judea and Samaria, Gaza crossings to close

Following assessment, general closure will be placed on Judea and Samaria and crossings to Gaza Strip will be closed during Simchat Torah.

Aln agronomist on the pitom - and a thought for Simchat Torah

The etrog should be kept away from moisture. This is in order to preserve its beauty for the entire duration of Sukkot.

Tzohar to TLV Mayor:

'Allow all congregations to hold Hakafot as in the past'

Rabbi David Stav hinted to Mayor Huldai to allow Rosh Yehudi to hold its Hakafot on Simchat Torah in the city.

Left-wing demonstration outside Netanya synagogue cancelled

Activists announce demonstration outside synagogue during Simchat Torah celebrations will not be held after residents express outrage.

Tel Aviv prayer advocates demand immediate court hearing

The Rosh Yehudi organization has written to a court demanding that the municipality not be allowed to delay a hearing on a public service.

Claims of bribery:

Outrage over ministry's plans to distribute sweets in synagogues

A government plan to distribute sweets in synagogues during the upcoming holiday of Simchat Torah has drawn extreme criticism.

Insights for Sukkot

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah in the profound thought of the UK's late world-renowned Chief Rabbi.

Synagogue sextons concerned:

Shortage of herring possible on Simchat Torah

Three million herring stuck on the way to Israel, creating concerns among sextons of local synagogues over a possible shortage.

Seminary student suffers anaphylactic reaction on Simchat Torah

Student in Nachlaot neighborhood revived by United Hatzalah EMTs after eating salad containing peanuts on Simchat Torah.

A Simchat Torah alphabet

Learn all about the holiday.

Tishrei's festivals culminate with Ashrei

By reading the two parshiot on Simchat Torah, we allude to the crux of the Shma prayer - that Torah should be inscribed on our hearts. How?

Insights into Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Ceremony and celebration for the last part of the Sukkot holiday.

Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, the last Festival in Tishrei

Ending the month of beginnings.

Live: Second Hakafot

'Second Hakafot' of Simchat Torah for Jews from around the world held in Jerusalem, Ramat Gan

To kiss the Torah, to dance with it, to be one with it

And how do Jews dance?  Not individually but in a line with hands clasped or in a circle – a gathering, a community, a unity.  Together.

Simchat Torah: The rejoicing OF the Torah

Who rejoices on the approaching holiday, the Jewish people or the Torah? Grammatically, it is the Torah. What makes the Torah rejoice, then?

Simchat Torah reading: Calling up the bridegrooms

There is a good reason to celebrate the end of the cycle of Torah readings, but why delay it until a month after the end of the year?

Haredim to gov't: Keep us in lockdown, but let the schools open

Each haredi group formulates its own method of adjusting to the coronavirus reality.

Famous Israeli singer dances with Torah scroll in Dubai

'I'm proud to be an ambassador of music and art in the Emirates, where there's hope for a better world,' singer says.

The Daily Portion

Despite everything, we begin anew

We read how Moses blesses the tribes before his death and a few minutes later how G-d created the world. Our story is greater than corona.

Simchat Torah: Celebrating a Torah of fire and water

Moses will die in exile, but he cannot leave his people without blessing them, and he does so poetically, evoking Sinai and Jewish history.

Netanyahu to haredim: No dancing on Simchat Torah

PM delivers message to haredi community ahead of Simchat Torah holiday. 'There is no herd immunity It's a death sentence for thousands.'

Stay with me, just one more day

The feelings God has for us are the same feelings we have for those we love who are ill, whose death is in sight, whose time is short.

No kiddush: Instructions for Simchat Torah

Health Ministry issues news guidelines for Simchat Torah, including instructions not to call entire congregation to the Torah.

Why rejoice at the end and not at the beginning?

Why is the holiday "Simchat Torah" celebrated when we complete the reading of the Torah, and not when we begin the new cycle?

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah in a nutshell - Family Edition

A new family-oriented holiday series, Ceremony and Celebration, full of resources to engage your family in meaningful Yom Tov interaction.

Rabbi Yaakov Shapira: The Torah tells us to keep the guidelines

Head of Merkaz Harav yeshiva says Jewish law requires public to protect their health and the health of others during pandemic.

Simchat Torah during a pandemic

Now is the time to reflect upon our individual Torah connection and remember the imperative to protect our lives. Op-ed.

Tzohar calls for increased vigilance over Simchat Torah holiday

Rabbinical organization warns holiday, which is defined by large gatherings in shul, requires extra caution during COVID-19 crisis.

Council of Sages: Prayers only in open space

Shas Movement Council of Sages instruction: 'All prayers should be held in open spaces, and no prayers should be held indoors at all.'

Simchat Torah news wrap-up

As Jews around the world complete the festival of Simchat Torah, Arutz Sheva presents a recap of the topics and stories making headlines

Live: Second Hakafot in Rav Kook's house

Simchat Torah celebrations take place at home of first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi in Jerusalem.

Watch: Second Hakafot at Western Wall

Thousands of people gather at Western Wall following end of Simchat Torah holiday.

Live: End of Simchat Torah celebration at Ponevezh Yeshiva

Leading Yeshiva celebrates completion of yearly Torah cycle, beginning of new cycle.

Simchat Torah: Celebrating a Torah of fire and water

Watch: 'Second Hakafot' at Rav Kook's house in Jerusalem

Traditional celebrations following 'Simchat Torah' continue at the house of spiritual luminary Rav Kook, with thousands in attendance.