Editing Simchat torah (section)

== The Holiday Order and Its Customs ==

==== Hakafot ====
'''Extended topic – Hakafot, Atah Hareita'''

It is a Jewish custom to circle the Torah reading platform with Torah scrolls on the night and day of Simchat Torah, with joy, songs, and dancing, celebrating in this way the completion of reading the entire Torah. This custom began in Ashkenazi lands hundreds of years ago, and from there spread to Sephardic communities. Rabbi Chaim Vital brought that his teacher the Arizal practiced this custom, and also showed a source for the custom in the Zohar:<blockquote>"And Israel customarily celebrates with it, and it is called Simchat Torah. And they crown the Torah scroll with its crown." — Zohar Part 3, 256b</blockquote>Among our Rebbeim, the Hakafot on Shemini Atzeret were conducted with seriousness compared to the Hakafot of Simchat Torah, where the joy was greater, beyond measure and limitation (although in recent years the Rebbe instituted that already on Shemini Atzeret the Hakafot should be with joy that breaks through all limitations completely, and explained the reason for this).

In Chassidic teachings, the virtue of Hakafot is explained extensively, as a joy that is beyond all limitations in which all Jews unite without distinction, and this joy brings about elevation in Torah study throughout the entire year.

The Rebbe Rashab once asked his father, the Rebbe Maharash: What is the meaning of Hakafot? He answered him: Hakafot means that we plead with the Father - our Father in Heaven with tears of blood, "my tears have been my bread," have mercy and break the yoke of the gentiles from our necks. The gentiles are the body and the animal soul. We dance with the Torah scroll in joy, with an open head and an open heart, but internally, tears of blood flow.

==== Aliyah to the Torah ====
'''Extended topic – Torah Reading on Simchat Torah'''

On Simchat Torah there is special care taken to ensure everyone receives an aliyah to the Torah, and in Jewish communities there are various customs whether to repeat the reading again and again until everyone merits an aliyah, or to call up several people together.

Additionally, there are special customs related to the Torah aliyah, such as a special aliyah for children called "Kol HaNe'arim" (All the Youth), the aliyah of Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit, and special poems connected with the Torah reading.

==== By the Rebbe ====
'''Extended topic – Niggunim the Rebbe Taught'''

In the first years of the Rebbe's leadership, on the night of Simchat Torah after Hakafot, the Rebbe would go up to the Rebbe Rayatz's apartment and have the holiday meal there. When the meal ended, the Rebbe would return to the synagogue and teach a new, unfamiliar niggun to the chassidim who remained there and continued dancing.

Usually, the Rebbe would also speak briefly about the niggun. This practice continued intermittently until 5724 (1964).

The Rebbe expressed that Simchat Torah is the most appropriate time to encourage the Mivtza Torah (Torah Campaign) and the Mivtza Ot B'Sefer Torah (Letter in a Torah Scroll Campaign).

==== Second Hakafot ====
[[File:הקפות שניות כפר חבד.jpg|thumb|Second Hakafot at Beit Menachem Synagogue in Kfar Chabad]]
'''Extended topic – Second Hakafot'''

Second Hakafot is an Eretz Yisrael custom based on the practice of the Arizal, according to which at the conclusion of Simchat Torah, another round of Hakafot with Torah scrolls accompanied by singing and dancing with musical instruments is performed. When the Arizal lived in Tzfat, he would visit synagogues that delayed finishing their prayers on the night after Simchat Torah and conducted seven Hakafot in each of them.

Based on this practice, the kabbalistic circles customarily conducted second Hakafot at the end of the holiday, taking out Torah scrolls after reciting the verses of "Atah Hareita" with all the details of customs as they conduct the Hakafot on the first night. Later, the custom spread to additional synagogues in Jerusalem and other communities and cities.

Over the years, several reasons were given for conducting these Hakafot, whether to participate with Jews outside of Israel in their celebrations which begin at this time when for them it is the night of Simchat Torah (since outside of Israel the holiday lasts two days), or because after the holiday ends it is permitted to play musical instruments and people can gather from more distant places to rejoice together in the joy of the Torah in a manner of "In the multitude of people is the king's glory."

The Rebbe expanded and established this custom in Chabad communities in Eretz Yisrael, and exceptionally deviated from his regular practice of not writing during Chol HaMoed, sending special telegrams during Chol HaMoed of Sukkot to participants in the Second Hakafot.

Every year, a central "Second Hakafot" ceremony is held at the Beit Menachem Synagogue in Kfar Chabad, attended by thousands of Jews from all segments of society, with government officials, politicians, and public figures honoring the event with their presence.