“Shemini Atzeret falls after the seven day festival of of Sukkot in Israel and for Reform Jews. (Conservative and Orthodox Jews celebrate Shemini Atzeret for two days.) Shemini means eighth, so it is an eight-day period on or after Sukkot. Israel now begins its rainy season, and Jewish tradition teaches that this was the day that the world is judged for water, or rainfall in the coming year. Water is a critical resource for Israel and our entire world. Thus, it was a day to gather and recite special prayers asking for rain.
“Another tradition says that after such a full holy day cycle, from Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) through Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement followed by a weeklong celebration of Sukkot), we tarry one more day unwilling to separate from God, our community and festival observance.
“Simchat Torah means ‘Rejoicing in the Torah’ and is celebrated the same day as Shemini Atzeret in Israel and by Reform Jews. Outside of Israel, where Jewish legal tradition requires that an extra day be added, Simchat Torah occurs on the day following Shemini Atzeret.
“On Simchat Torah we celebrate the completion of the yearly cycle of Torah reading and begin it anew. We mark our celebration by dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls. During the Torah service, the concluding section of Deuteronomy is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, is read. Many synagogues use Simchat Torah as the time to consecrate, or welcome, our youngest students into a lifetime of Torah study. They receive tiny Torah scrolls and sweet candies, so that their learning should always be sweet!”
Jewish holiday facts (from fall until the end of the year)
The Jewish calendar is lunar, with each month beginning on the new moon.
Jewish holidays are on different days each year.
Work is not permitted on most days observed as Jewish holidays.
The holiday begins the night before at sunset.
Rosh Hashanah is two days and was celebrated Sept. 16-18 this year.
Yom Kippur was celebrated Sept. 25-26. A day of atonement, set aside for fasting, no pleasure, and asking
for forgiveness of sins from the previous year.
Sukkot was celebrated Sept. 30-Oct. 1. A festival that commemorates the wandering in the desert and the
final harvest. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles.
Shemini Atzeret will be celebrated Oct. 7-8. The eighth day of assembly.
Simchat Torah will be celebrated Oct. 8-9. Rejoices in the law, marks the end and beginning of Torah readings.
Chanukah begins the evening of Dec. 8 this year. An eight-day festival of rededication, also known as the Festival of
Lights.
SOURCE: Judaism 101 at www.jewfaq.org
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