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October 2007
Note: Simchat Torah begins at sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Many people are familiar with the eight-day Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot, but have never heard of a lesser-known holiday, which falls the day after Sukkot. Called Simchat Torah, it is one of the most overlooked yet joyous Jewish holidays of the year. Loosely translated as “celebration of the Torah (the Jewish bible),” the holiday commemorates the completion of one cycle of Torah reading and the immediate start of another. Every year the Torah’s Five Books of Moses are studied by Jews all over the world, divided into sections and read completely through one Jewish calendar year. On Simchat Torah, Deuteronomy, the last book, is finished and Genesis, the first book, is immediately begun. There is much rejoicing surrounding this yearly cycle and the Torah itself. Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark (the holy cabinet where they are held). Synagogue members carry the scrolls around the sanctuary seven times in a parade, happily singing and dancing. It’s a great day for children, from toddlers to teens, to come to the synagogue. Many congregations, in fact, gear the service toward the younger crowd. There may be a band and dancing after the service, and there are always refreshments. After all, what’s a Jewish holiday without food? Simchat Torah services will be take place at congregations throughout the Bay Area on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Everyone is welcome to join the party for the Torah. For information on a Simchat Torah near you, contact Jewish Community Information & Referral at 415-777-4545 or JewishNfo@sfjcf.org.
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