While many of us are familiar with Sukkot, the name Shemini Atzeret is somewhat foreign. From Torah times, B'nai Yisrael were commanded to make pilgrimage to Israel for the seven-day Sukkot festival; yet they remained in Jerusalem for an eighth day holiday known as Shemini Atzeret (literally, the Eighth Day of Gathering/Assembly). In the portion of Emor (Leviticus 23:39), we learn about Shemini Atzeret: On the eighth day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring a gift to Adonay; it is a solemn gathering, you shall not work at your occupations. The festival of Shemini Atzeret was considered a regel bfnay atzmo, a distinct holiday apart from other days of Sukkot. To mark this distinction, many people do not eat in the Sukkah on Shemini Atzeret (although eating in the Sukkah is permissible), but rather make Kiddush and then eat inside the house (as the Mishna describes).

Shemini Atzeret also took on a special social meaning: Before the pilgrims left Jerusalem to return home, they enjoyed one final day together.

Some features of Shemini Atzeret include:

* Reciting Hallel: The selection of upbeat psalms, which we recite throughout many of the Jewish holidays, including the festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. We do not, however, wave the Lulav and Etrog, as they are not used beyond the seventh day of Sukkot.

* Geshem: The prayer for rain; on Shemini Atzeret we recite a special prayer in which we ask that the rainy season in Eretz Yisrael bring blessing to the people. Although the rainy season does not begin in Israel until December, the Geshem prayer is a hope that when the rainy season does begin, the land should be enriched with water. In the Amidah prayers we recite from today through the beginning of Pesach, we include the words Mashev haruach oo'moreed hagashem – May God cause wind to blow and rain to fall.

Simchat Torah Features

During the middle ages, the festival of Simchat Torah was added to Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined. We are following the Israeli calendar.

* Atah Harayta: Following the Hallel, we recite a series of verses, which are repeated until everyone has received a turn to recite at least one verse. We conclude these verses by removing the Torahs from the Ark.

* Hakafot: With all the Torahs in hand, we make at least seven processionals around the Sanctuary; each procession introduced by the words anah Adonay hoshee'ah na – O God save us. During the Hakafot we sing/dance around the Synagogue to celebrate the completion of another year's cycle of Torah reading. In memory of October 7, one of the processions will be a silent one, without singing.

* Torah reading: Following the Hakafot we return the Torahs to the Ark, except for the three Torahs we leave out to read. The Torah reading procedure for Simchat Torah is unique:

Torah #1: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12 (page 1202)

For this Torah reading, known as V’zot Habrachah, we repeat the first five portions until everyone receives an aliyah. In many communities, for the sixth portion a special honoree, known as the Chatan /KalatTorah (The Bridegroom/Bride of the Torah) is called up. The sixth portion of V’zot Habrachah is the last pragraph of the entire Torah. After the reading we shout out the words, Chazask, Chazak, V'nitchazek – be strong, be strong and may we strengthen each other with Torah. We then lift the first Torah.

Torah #2: Braisheet 1:1-2:3 (page 3)

 We return to the beginning of the Torah and read about the creation of the world. The person called up for the Torah blessings is known as the Hatan/Kalat Braisheet (the Bridegroom/Bride of Genesis). Following this reading we say the Hatzi Kaddish and lift the second Torah.

Torah #3: Numbers 29:35 - 30:1 (page 936).

The Maftir Torah portion refers to the special offering made in honor of Shemni Atzeret.

Haftorah: Joshua 1:1-18 (page 1267)

The Five Books of Moses conclude with the death of Moses. For today's Haftorah, we appropriately read about the passing of leadership to Joshua. It is Joshua, who leads the people into the land of Canaan after the death of Moses.

After the Haftorah we recite Yizkor and festive Musaf/additional Amidah, which includes phrases for Shemini Atzeret.

Rabbi's note: On Simchat Torah we are permitted to poke fun at some of the prayers and to conduct a service with a little levity.