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Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah or Simḥath Torah (also Simkhes Toreh, Hebrew: שִׂמְחַת תורָה, lit., “Rejoicing with/of the Torah,”) is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. Simchat Torah is a component of the Biblical Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret (“Eighth Day of Assembly”), which follows immediately after the festival of Sukkot in the month of Tishrei (mid-September to early October on the Gregorian calendar).
Simchat Torahשִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה
1:
Deuteronomy 33:1 - 33:7
· 7 p’sukim
2:
Deuteronomy 33:8 - 33:12
· 5 p’sukim
3:
Deuteronomy 33:13 - 33:17
· 5 p’sukim
4:
Deuteronomy 33:18 - 33:21
· 4 p’sukim
5:
Deuteronomy 33:22 - 33:26
· 5 p’sukim
6:
Deuteronomy 33:27 - 34:12
· 15 p’sukim
7:
Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
· 34 p’sukim
Maftir:
Numbers 29:35 - 30:1
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
Joshua 1:1 - 1:18
· 18 p’sukim
Erev Simchat Torahעֶרֶב שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה
1:
Deuteronomy 33:1 - 33:7
· 7 p’sukim
2:
Deuteronomy 33:8 - 33:12
· 5 p’sukim
3:
Deuteronomy 33:13 - 33:17
· 5 p’sukim
About Simchat Torah
At its heart, Simchat Torah is a celebration of the Torah cycle's seamless renewal: the moment the final verses of Deuteronomy are read, the congregation begins again at Genesis 1:1, so the Torah is never treated as "finished." This embodies the principle that a completion must immediately give way to a new beginning, expressing the community's lifelong commitment to study. Where the summary describes the holiday's structure, the deeper theme is joy made physical, communities dance and sing with the scrolls themselves, voicing a collective love of Torah. In the 20th century the day also took on added meaning as a public expression of Jewish identity and solidarity, notably among Soviet and diaspora Jews.
When it’s observed
Simchat Torah is bound to Shemini Atzeret on 22 Tishrei, immediately after the seven days of Sukkot (Tishrei falls roughly late September to mid-October). Because Jewish holidays begin at sunset, it starts the evening before. Timing differs by community: in Israel, and in most Reform congregations, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are merged into a single day on 22 Tishrei, while in the Diaspora (Orthodox and Conservative practice) Simchat Torah is a separate second day on 23 Tishrei. As an example, in 2026 Shemini Atzeret begins at sunset on October 2, with Simchat Torah running from sunset October 3 to nightfall October 4 in the Diaspora. Exact civil dates shift each year with the Hebrew calendar, and the single-day vs. two-day distinction depends on your rite and location.
The readings & trope
Three Torah scrolls are used. From the first, the final parashah V'Zot HaBerachah (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12) concludes the Torah; from the second, Genesis 1:1–2:3 is read at once so the cycle restarts without a gap; and from the third, the maftir is Numbers 29:35–30:1 (the Shemini Atzeret offering). The Haftarah is from the opening of Joshua, narrating Joshua's succession of Moses, most Ashkenazi congregations read Joshua 1:1–18, though some traditions read Joshua 1:1–9 (rite-dependent). Importantly, there is no unique festival trope here: unlike Eicha (Tisha B'Av), Esther (Purim), or the High Holiday melody, Simchat Torah uses the standard Torah cantillation (taamei ha-mikra). The distinctive musical character is one of joy, the Sephardi tradition chants it in Maqam Ajam, the maqam of happiness, and congregations add celebratory acclamations such as the communal "Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek!" on completing Deuteronomy. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice the standard Torah trope used for these readings so you can prepare your aliyah or the concluding and opening portions.
Customs
The most visible custom is the hakafot: the scrolls are carried in seven joyful circuits around the synagogue, with dancing, singing, and children waving flags, on both the evening and the morning. Uniquely in the year, the Torah is taken out and read at night on Simchat Torah eve. It is customary for every adult to receive an aliyah, so the opening portions are repeated as many times as needed (large congregations sometimes split into simultaneous readings). In Kol HaNe'arim ("all the children"), youngsters below bar/bat mitzvah age gather under an outspread tallit and recite the Torah blessings together. The person who concludes Deuteronomy is honored as the Chatan Torah ("Groom of the Torah") and the one who begins Genesis as the Chatan Bereishit ("Groom of Genesis"). Upon finishing the book, the whole congregation proclaims "Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek" ("Be strong, be strong, and may we strengthen one another"). Specific honors and choreography vary by congregation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing with/of the Torah") is the Jewish holiday that celebrates completing the annual cycle of public Torah readings and immediately beginning a new one. The synagogue reads the final verses of Deuteronomy and, without pause, starts again at Genesis, marked by dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls. It is the festive culmination of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret.
When is Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah is tied to Shemini Atzeret on 22 Tishrei, right after the seven days of Sukkot (usually late September to mid-October), and like all Jewish holidays it begins at sunset the evening before. In Israel and most Reform congregations it is observed as a single combined day on 22 Tishrei; in the Diaspora (Orthodox and Conservative) it is a separate second day on 23 Tishrei. In 2026, for example, it runs from sunset October 3 to nightfall October 4 in the Diaspora.
What is read on Simchat Torah?
Three scrolls are used: the final parashah V'Zot HaBerachah (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12) to conclude the Torah, Genesis 1:1–2:3 to immediately restart the cycle, and the maftir Numbers 29:35–30:1. The Haftarah is from Joshua 1 (commonly Joshua 1:1–18 in the Ashkenazi rite; some traditions read 1:1–9).
Does Simchat Torah have a special trope or cantillation?
No. Unlike Purim (Esther), Tisha B'Av (Eicha), or the High Holidays, Simchat Torah uses the standard Torah cantillation rather than a unique festival trope. The celebratory mood comes through customs and acclamations such as "Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek," and in the Sephardi tradition the reading is sung in the joyful Maqam Ajam. You can hear and practice the standard Torah trope for these readings in TropeTrainer.
Where to go next
How the Haftarah, the Five Megillot, and the High Holiday Torah readings are chanted.
Guided lessons on Torah cantillation, from the basic symbols to advanced phrases.