📜 Simchat Torah שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה
October (right after Sukkot) Ages 4–11
Simchat Torah means "rejoicing with the Torah." It is the day the yearly Torah reading ends — and starts again from the very beginning!
💬 Say: Chag Sameach! — Happy holiday!
📅 When is Simchat Torah?
| 2026 | Begins at sundown on Sat, Oct 3, 2026 · ends at nightfall the next day |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Begins at sundown on Sat, Oct 23, 2027 · ends at nightfall the next day |
| 2028 | Begins at sundown on Thu, Oct 12, 2028 · ends at nightfall the next day |
Jewish days begin at sundown. Dates follow the calendar used outside Israel; some holidays are a day shorter in Israel.
📖 The story
Every week, a portion of the Torah is read in the synagogue. It takes a whole year to finish all five books. On Simchat Torah, the last verses of Deuteronomy are read, and right away the first words of Genesis — "In the beginning" — are read again.
Everyone celebrates with singing and dancing. The Torah scrolls are carried around the synagogue in seven circles called hakafot. Kids wave flags, get candy and sometimes join the procession.
In many communities outside Israel, Simchat Torah is the day after Shemini Atzeret; in Israel the two holidays fall on the same day.
✨ How we celebrate
- Dancing with the Torah (hakafot)
- Waving Simchat Torah flags
- Finishing and restarting the Torah reading
- Calling all the children up to the Torah together
🔤 Hebrew words to learn
| Torah | תּוֹרָה |
| joy | שִׂמְחָה |
| flag | דֶּגֶל |
| beginning | בְּרֵאשִׁית |
🙏 A blessing: Welcoming the festival
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Say it: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigianu lazman hazeh.
It means: Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time.
Festival practice differs between Israel and communities abroad. Ask your community about when it is said.
✂️ Crafts & activities
Simchat Torah Flag
You need: Paper rectangle, Markers, A straw or paper-towel tube, Tape
- Draw a Torah scroll in the middle of the paper.
- Add stars, hearts and the words "Simchat Torah."
- Tape it to the straw and wave it while you dance!
🖍️ Simchat Torah coloring pages
Simchat Torah quiz
What happens to the Torah reading on Simchat Torah?
What are the circles of dancing with the Torah called?
What do many kids wave on Simchat Torah?
Which book of the Torah starts again?
💭 Let’s talk
What is a book you love to read again and again?
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