Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret

The Hamas massacre in south Israel last year, 2023, happened on the closely-combined holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The massacre revived painful memories of the Yom Kippur surprise attack 50 years earlier.

Simchat Torah is a joyous holiday that marks the end and beginning of the annual cycle of public Torah readings in the synagogue. Photo: Pxhere.

Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei immediately following the seven-day festival of Sukkot. Its name literally means “the eighth day of assembly,” but is counted separately from the seven days of Sukkot, (see Numbers 29:35) and describes how the festival of Sukkot is to be concluded: “On the eighth day you shall hold a festive assembly. Then no customary work shall be carried out.”
During the holiday, the spiritual aspects of Sukkot are contemplated. In Israel, the celebration of Shemini Atzeret is combined with the festival of Simchat Torah, which is celebrated on the same day.

Hamas massacre in south Israel last year took place exactly on this combined holiday. The Simchat Torah massacre revived painful memories of the Yom Kippur surprise attack that took place 50 years earlier almost to the day. At that time, on October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on the holiest day in Judaism, a time of reconciliation and forgiveness.
“I think it has frequently been the case in these wars, that Israel is attacked on a holiday or Sabbath. So I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” Jack Rosen, president of the American Jewish Congress, told the AP after the Hamas massacre.

Simchat Torah is the last holiday of the month of Tishrei which begins with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. Outside of Israel, an extra day is added to celebrate Simchat Torah, known for its festivity. Simchat Torah is a joyous holiday and literally means “Joy of the Torah” and marks the end of the annual cycle of public Torah readings in the synagogues as well as the beginning of a new period.
During the holiday, the last chapters of Deuteronomy (33 and 34) are read, as well as the first chapter and the first three verses of chapter two of Genesis.
Although the origin of Simchat Torah is not specifically biblical, it is a Bible-centered holiday, which outside of Israel in the current Hebrew year 5785 begins at sundown on Thursday, October 24, 2024, and ends on Friday evening, October 25.