Thousands Celebrate Hakafot Shniot Across Israel
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Thousands celebrated Hakafot Shniot across Israel after Simchat Torah.
- The events mark the end and beginning of the annual Torah reading cycle.
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attended events in Sderot and Tel Aviv.
- An event in Sderot was cut short due to overcrowding and safety concerns.
- Thousands gathered for celebrations at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Thousands of celebrants across Israel participated in Hakafot Shniot (Second Hakafot) ceremonies on the evening following Simchat Torah, marking the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. These joyous gatherings, held in streets, courtyards, and synagogues nationwide, involved people carrying Torah scrolls and dancing with them.
A central event in Sderot saw Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Mayor Alon Davidi dancing with the public. The event's immense popularity led to severe overcrowding, prompting police to request its early conclusion for safety reasons. Following the Sderot event, Minister Smotrich proceeded to another celebration in Dizengoff Square, Tel Aviv.
In Jerusalem, thousands gathered at the Western Wall plaza for emotional celebrations, holding Torah scrolls and dancing for hours. The tradition of Hakafot Shniot, originally a Diaspora custom, has become a symbol of national joy in Israel, representing renewal, hope, and the Jewish people's connection to their heritage.
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