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[[File:שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb|A rare photo from the Rebbe's farbrengen on '''Simchat Torah'''. The photo was taken by a non-Jewish reporter from the "New York Times" at a farbrengen in the year 5728/1967.]] | [[File:שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb|A rare photo from the Rebbe's farbrengen on '''Simchat Torah'''. The photo was taken by a non-Jewish reporter from the "New York Times" at a farbrengen in the year 5728/1967.]] | ||
Simchat Torah is a holiday celebrated on the last day after the conclusion of Sukkot, marking the reading of Parshat V'Zot HaBracha which completes the Torah reading cycle of all the Torah portions, and celebrating and rejoicing on the occasion of this completion. In Eretz Yisrael, this day is celebrated together with Shemini Atzeret, on the 22nd of Tishrei; while outside of Eretz Yisrael, this day is the second holiday following Shemini Atzeret, on the 23rd of Tishrei. | Simchat Torah is a holiday celebrated on the last day after the conclusion of Sukkot, marking the reading of Parshat V'Zot HaBracha which completes the Torah reading cycle of all the Torah portions, and celebrating and rejoicing on the occasion of this completion. In [[Eretz Yisroel|Eretz Yisrael]], this day is celebrated together with Shemini Atzeret, on the 22nd of Tishrei; while outside of Eretz Yisrael, this day is the second holiday following Shemini Atzeret, on the 23rd of Tishrei. | ||
Our Rebbeim spoke extensively about the greatness of this holiday, from which joy extends throughout the entire year, and therefore one must be careful to utilize the time on this day as much as possible for rejoicing and dancing. | Our Rebbeim spoke extensively about the greatness of this holiday, from which joy extends throughout the entire year, and therefore one must be careful to utilize the time on this day as much as possible for rejoicing and dancing. | ||
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'''Extended topic – Hakafot, Atah Hareita''' | '''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: | 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). | ||
"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 | |||
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. | 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. | ||
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==== Second Hakafot ==== | ==== Second Hakafot ==== | ||
[[File:הקפות שניות כפר חבד.jpg|thumb|Second Hakafot at Beit Menachem Synagogue in Kfar Chabad]] | |||
[[File:הקפות שניות כפר חבד.jpg|thumb]] | |||
'''Extended topic – Second Hakafot''' | '''Extended topic – Second Hakafot''' | ||
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== Niggunim for Simchat Torah == | == Niggunim for Simchat Torah == | ||
[[File:ריקוד שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb|Hakafot on Simchat Torah. Drawing: Zalman Kleinman]] | |||
[[File:ריקוד שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb]] | |||
* Niggun Al HaSela Hach | * Niggun Al HaSela Hach | ||
* Niggun Stav Ya Pitu | * Niggun Stav Ya Pitu | ||