Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Jewish holiday: Simhat Torah is a Jewish holy day that marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle.

Usage

• Simhat Torah is celebrated immediately after the festival of Sukkot, on the 22nd (in Israel and by some communities) or 23rd (in the Diaspora) of the Hebrew month of Tishri.
• The central rituals of Simhat Torah involve removing all Torah scrolls from the ark and carrying them in joyous processions (hakafot) around the synagogue.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The congregation celebrated Simhat Torah with singing and dancing.
  • On Simhat Torah, we complete the reading of Deuteronomy and immediately begin Genesis.

Advanced Usage

• "The joy of Simhat Torah": This phrase emphasizes the festive and celebratory nature of the holiday.
  • The children waved flags during the hakafot, sharing in the joy of Simhat Torah.

Variants and Related Words

• Simchas Torah: An alternate common transliteration of the Hebrew phrase שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה (Simḥat Torah), meaning "Rejoicing of the Torah".
• Shemini Atzeret: The biblical festival that immediately precedes Simhat Torah; in many communities, the observances are combined on the same day.

Synonyms

• Rejoicing of the Torah: The English translation of the holiday's name.
• Completion of the Torah: A phrase describing the holiday's primary theme.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To dance with the Torah: A common activity central to Simhat Torah celebrations.
  • It is a great honor to dance with the Torah on Simhat Torah.

Noun

1. (Judaism) a Jewish holy day celebrated on the 22nd or 23rd of Tishri to celebrate the completion of the annual cycle of readings of the Torah