Simchat Torah 2026: Dates, Times, and Traditions Explained

Simchat Torah in Israel in 2026 will commence on Friday, October 2, coinciding with the Sabbath, and conclude on Saturday, October 3. In Israel, the holiday falls on the Hebrew date 22 Tishrei, which also marks the conclusion of Sukkot, known as Shemini Atzeret. Abroad, Simchat Torah is observed on the following day, 23 Tishrei. Specific candle-lighting and Havdalah times for major Israeli cities on October 2 and 3, 2026, have been provided, with Jerusalem at 17:47 for Shabbat/holiday entry and 18:58 for exit, Tel Aviv at 18:04 for entry and 19:00 for exit, and Haifa at 17:56 for entry and 18:59 for exit, among others.

While in Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are often observed on the same day (22 Tishrei), abroad they are distinct holidays, with Simchat Torah celebrated on 23 Tishrei. The practice of concluding the annual Torah reading cycle on Simchat Torah is a relatively recent tradition, evolving from earlier customs in Babylonian exile. The term "Simchat Torah" first appeared in the 11th century, with the custom of seven circuits (hakafot) around the bimah in synagogues developing later. Medieval celebrations included public feasts and piyyutim, with dancing becoming customary around the 16th century.

Shemini Atzeret, also Simchat Torah, is a day of rest. When it falls on a weekday, certain "necessary for sustenance" activities like cooking are permitted, but as the holiday in 2026 falls on Shabbat, all such work is prohibited. The holiday begins with candle lighting, evening prayers, Kiddush, and a festive meal, including the "Shehecheyanu" blessing. Morning prayers, a festive meal, afternoon prayers, and Havdalah follow. "Second hakafot" are often held after the holiday concludes.

The central activity of Simchat Torah in religious communities is in the synagogue, featuring the completion and recommencement of the annual Torah reading cycle, prayers for rain, and memorial prayers for the departed. The hakafot involve dancing and singing with Torah scrolls, typically performed in the evening and morning, and sometimes again on the evening after the holiday. The Torah reading on Simchat Torah is from "Vezot Haberacha," the final portion of the Torah. Traditionally, multiple congregants are called to the Torah, often repeating the reading to accommodate everyone, with special honors like "Chatan Torah" (groom of the Torah) and "Chatan Bereshit" (groom of Genesis) awarded to individuals who complete and begin the Torah cycle, respectively. The Haftarah reading is from the first chapter of Joshua, symbolizing a new beginning.

Modern observances include efforts to increase women's participation in Simchat Torah celebrations, with some communities allowing women to read from the Torah and dance with scrolls in the women's section. Memorial prayers, or "Yizkor," are recited, transitioning from the joy of the holiday to solemn remembrance. The article also discusses the prayer for rain, "Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem," which begins during the holiday, and the broader significance of the holiday in anticipating a blessed and rain-filled year. The article acknowledges the difficulty of celebrating Simchat Torah two years after the October 7th attacks, suggesting ways to balance tradition with remembrance of the victims, such as modified hakafot or dedicating prayers to the fallen.