—Shemini Atzeret 2013 would begin after the sunset on September 25 for one day. —Simchat Torah 2013 will start after the sunset on September 26 for one day. Shemini Atzeret is the holiday that follows immediately after the seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabbah. Shemini Atzeret is a time when prayers or celebrations for rain and a good harvest are made for the coming year in the Jewish calendar. Simchat Torah is a joyous event. Central rituals for Simchat Torah include reading the Torah by concluding the Book of Deuteronomy and beginning the Book of Genesis. Other activities include performing the hakafot (dancing with the Torah) around the synagogue bimah (elevated area or platform in a Jewish synagogue). Synagogues in cities such as Philadelphia have, in the past, held song and dance events to mark Simchat Torah. The name "Shmini Atzeret" refers to the eighth day, or the extra day, that brings the seven-day Sukkot period to its state of perfection. Rabbinic tradition teaches that Shemini Atzeret is the day when the world is judged for water, or rainfall, in the upcoming year. It is an important day for agricultural purposes. Simchat Torah is generally celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeret in Israel and among Reform Jewish groups. These two occasions are also observed as two separate days among many Jewish communities outside of Israel. timeanddate/holidays/us/shmini-atzeret
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 17:48:51 +0000
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