Why Jewish communities dance with the Torah to celebrate its completion and restart

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Simchat Torah is a vibrant autumn festival marking the end and immediate recommencement of the annual Torah reading cycle. Far from a somber study session, the holiday spills out of synagogues into the streets, featuring exuberant dancing, processions with scrolls, and a collective joy centered on the Hebrew Bible.

Simchat Torah, which translates to 'Rejoicing of the Torah,' is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible or the Talmud. Its origins are organic, emerging around the 11th century as Jewish communities adopted an annual cycle of 54 portions, or parashot, finalized by Babylonian Jews between the 5th and 6th centuries. By the 12th century, it became customary in Europe to immediately restart the cycle after finishing it, a practice symbolizing the enduring importance of continuous study.

The festivities are defined by hakafot, or seven circuits, where congregants carry Torah scrolls around the synagogue's reading platform, known as the bimah. While the specific timing varies by region—Israel and Reform congregations observe it concurrently with Shemini Atzeret on 22 Tishri, while Orthodox and Conservative communities outside Israel observe it on the second day of a two-day festival—the core experience remains consistent. Worshippers dance, sing, and parade the scrolls, with children often waving flags and joining in the merriment.

During the morning service, the congregation reads the final portion of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Genesis. To ensure maximum participation, almost every member is granted an aliyah, an honor to bless or read from the Torah. In some traditions, the Priestly Blessing was moved earlier in the service to avoid potential intoxication from refreshments served during the celebration, highlighting the unique, high-spirited nature of the day. The celebration is a rare moment where the solemnity of the scrolls meets the unbridled energy of a community-wide party.

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