Simchat torah

Simchat Torah is celebrated on the final day after Sukkot, marking the completion of reading Parshat V'Zot HaBracha, which concludes the annual Torah reading cycle. In Israel, it's celebrated together with Shemini Atzeret on the 22nd of Tishrei; outside Israel, it's celebrated the following day, on the 23rd of Tishrei.

Our Rebbeim spoke extensively about the greatness of this holiday, explaining that its joy extends throughout the entire year. Therefore, one should be careful to utilize this day as much as possible for rejoicing and dancing.

Hakafot

The Jewish custom is to circle the Torah reading platform with Torah scrolls on the night and day of Simchat Torah, celebrating with joy, songs, and dancing to mark the completion of reading the entire Torah. This custom began in Ashkenazi countries hundreds of years ago and spread to Sephardic communities. Rabbi Chaim Vital brought that his teacher, the Arizal, followed this custom, and showed its source in the Zohar:

"And Israel customarily makes joy with it, and it is called Simchat Torah. And they crown the Torah scroll with its crown."

For our Rebbeim, the Hakafot on Shemini Atzeret were more serious compared to Simchat Torah, where the joy was greater and beyond measurement (though in recent years the Rebbe instituted that even on Shemini Atzeret, the Hakafot should be with boundless joy).

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

Torah Reading

On Simchat Torah, there is special emphasis on ensuring everyone receives an aliyah. Different communities have various customs about whether to repeat the reading multiple times until everyone has an aliyah, or to call up several people together.

Additionally, there are special customs related to Torah reading, such as a special aliyah for children called "Kol HaNearim," the aliyah of Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit, and special prayers connected with Torah reading.

With the Rebbe

In the early years of his leadership, the Rebbe would go to the Previous Rebbe's apartment after Hakafot on Simchat Torah night for the holiday meal. Afterward, he would return to the synagogue and teach a new niggun to the remaining Chassidim who continued dancing.

The Rebbe usually also shared brief words about the niggun. This practice continued intermittently until 1964.

The Rebbe expressed that Simchat Torah is the most appropriate time to promote Torah study and the campaign for each Jew to acquire a letter in a Torah scroll.

Second Hakafot

Second Hakafot is an Israeli custom based on the Arizal's practice, where additional Hakafot with Torah scrolls are performed after the holiday ends, accompanied by music and dancing. The Arizal would visit synagogues that delayed finishing their prayers on Simchat Torah night and conduct seven Hakafot in each one.

Based on this practice, Kabbalistic circles began conducting Second Hakafot after the holiday, taking out Torah scrolls after saying "Atah Hareita" verses with all the customs as done on the first night. The practice later spread to other synagogues in Jerusalem and other cities.

Various reasons are given for these Hakafot: to participate with Jews outside Israel who are beginning their celebrations at this time (as they observe an extra day), and because after the holiday ends, musical instruments are permitted and people can gather from further away to rejoice together in the Torah's joy in the spirit of "The king's glory is in a multitude of people."

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

Historical Events

In 1798, the Alter Rebbe was arrested
In 1977, the Rebbe suffered a heart attack
In 2023, the Iron Swords War began

Meaning of the Holiday's Name

There are two interpretations:

The Torah is joyous, and therefore Israel rejoices in the Torah's joy
Israel brings joy to the Torah

Yisroel Brings Joy to the Torah

The Torah descended from its supreme place to our lower world, and when a Jew rejoices with the Torah and dances and sings with it, he adds joy to the Torah, because a Jew has the power to make a dwelling place in the lower worlds, thereby drawing down G-d's Essence.

A General Joy for the Entire Year

The Rebbe explains that all matters of Tishrei are general matters, and the joy of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah is a general joy from the essence of the soul, encompassing all powers as one. This applies to time as well - it's not just joy for this particular time, but general joy for the entire year. For this reason, the joy should be beyond reason and understanding, through dancing with kabbalat ol (acceptance of the yoke of Heaven).

Simchat Torah Niggunim

Al HaSela Hach Niggun
Stav Ya Pitu Niggun
Hakafot Niggun
O Va Die Mi Nieotnim Niggun
Hasa Dina Hasa Niggun
After Torah reading: Ashreichem Yisrael Niggun
For the meal: Hop Kozak Niggun
Dem Rebbin's Niggun/Simchat Torah Nikolayev
Niggun 165 - Hakafot Niggun