Shemini Atzeret (she-meanee aut-zer-at) and Simchat Torah (sim-hot toe-ra)
she-meanee aut-zer-at
sim-hot toe-ra
Shemini Atzeret means the “Eighth Day of Assembly,” while Simchat Torah means “rejoicing in Torah.” These two holidays are observed differently among the Jewish community. Some combine the two holidays and celebrate on one day; others celebrate them on two consecutive days at the end of Sukkot.
The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is the central text of the Jewish community and the foundation by which Jewish identity was built. Every week throughout the year, Jews read a section from the Torah. On Simchat Torah, Jews celebrate by completing a full cycle of the reading of the Torah. Because of the centrality of love for the Torah and study, this is a joyous holiday with singing and dancing.