Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah

Hi,

This Tuesday and Wednesday are Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, and we have special Torah readings.

On Tuesday we read from the end of the Torah's "Reeh" portion, Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17. This portion is read on the last day of each holiday - the 8th day of Pesach, the 2nd day of Shavuot, and Shmini Atzeret. It is selected for its digest of the different holidays, as well as for its specification that one is not to ascend to the Beit haMikdash [Temple] in Jerusalem "empty-handed." In the absence of a Beit haMikdash this is applied as a reference to tzedakah, and we fulfill it by making Yizkor pledges.
We also read a second reading, regarding the special "Musaf" Temple offering of Shmini Atzeret. That comes from Numbers 29.

On Simchat Torah night, we begin to read the Torah's last portion - "veZot haBerachah." There are varying customs as to whether one reads 3 or 5 segments. This is not a "regulation" Torah reading; it is done to celebrate as we near the completion of the Torah.

On Simchat Torah day, we read from 3 Torah scrolls:
1. We complete the Torah, by reading its last portion..
2. As we do on Shmini Atzeret, we read the special "Musaf" Temple offering of Shmini Atzeret, since Simchat Torah is really a second day of Shmini Atzeret. This comes from Numbers 29.
3. We begin the Torah again, reading from Bereishit. This is not a "regulation" Torah reading. It is done in order to demonstrate that we never truly complete our Torah study; we simply begin again, hopefully with a greater level of understanding than we had a year ago.

Have a great Yom Tov,
Mordechai