MITZVAH MINUTE: Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah

B"H


Tishrei 18, 5773 * October 4, 2012

==============
MITZVAH MINUTE
==============

Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
'Cause it's hard to say goodbye

===============================

Immediately following the seven-day festival of Sukkot comes the joyous two-day festival of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. (In Israel, the festival is "compacted" into a single day.)

This is analogous to a king who invited his sons to a feast for a number of days. When the time came for them to leave, he said: "My sons! Please, stay one more day; it is difficult for me to part with you!" (Midrash)

Holiday candles are lit on both nights, and kiddush and sumptuous holiday meals are enjoyed on both nights and both days of this holiday. We don't go to work, drive, write, or switch on or off electric devices. We are permitted to cook and to carry outdoors (except on Shabbat). Shemini Atzeret

On Shemini Atzeret ("the Eighth of Retention") we still eat in the sukkah (according to the custom of most communities), but without reciting the blessing on the sukkah. The "Four Kinds," though, are not taken on this day.

The Shemini Atzeret morning service includes the Yizkor service, as well as a special prayer for rain, officially launching the Mediterranean rainy season. Simchat Torah

The second day is called Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing of the Torah"). No longer do we eat in the sukkah. On this day we conclude, and begin anew, the annual Torah reading cycle, an accomplishment that produces unparalleled joy.

The focal point of Simchat Torah is the hakafot procession, in which we march, sing and dance with the Torah scrolls around the reading table in the synagogue. The hakafot are done twice, on the night and morning of Simchat Torah, and in some communities also on the night of Shemini Atzeret. Everyone receives an aliyah on Simchat Torah, even the children.

The hakafot are an event not to be missed. Click here [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=D431577F199B1EC2C85AA7FB1FC1B175&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] to find one near you.

For detailed holiday how-tos, visit our expanded Simchat Torah section [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=FDC7F2BCC8972950808779263CB94FB9&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].


-
Illustrations by Yehuda Lang [ mailto:yehud24@yahoo.com ]. To view more artwork by this artist, click here [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=52078F9BF28134C98640AFBB1F592381&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].

- To view this article on the Web, or to post a comment, please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=1FF4A45E8E1A79906678CDB86170704E&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This subscription is available and better viewed in a graphic (HTML) format. To update your preferences, please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=36329A611AC23D1DC068D840E54AFD5D&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Copyright © Chabad.org

For more Torah study and inspiring articles, please visit:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=08E1655463A2B1B430E34E226E27971A&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

** Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue sharing the
study of Torah and Jewish traditions:

Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark your special occasion!
Please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=CFC70B5403B10A55348D6427F34F35FB&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

Please click here to make a donation to Chabad.org:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=979295234F7039B82BF46A6731FE5677&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** Important Tip: In order to guarantee that your Chabad.org subscription
emails continue to be delivered to you, please make sure to add our
address, subscriptions@chabad.org, to your address book, or "whitelist"
it in any spam filters or spam programs you may have.

** Manage your complete subscription profile online: Subscribes,
unsubscribes, address changes, vacation holds, and more. Register here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B450352A1C2DC5C9F7E3AE739C17A326&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&emailpk=_370661_1826535@

** To subscribe to more Chabad.org email lists please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7855B0E2B985515B90AE37729B53ABC9&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** To be removed from this email list please click here:
http://www.chabad.org/unsub.asp?i=5AF469836754813067E5535AFD0C105FD8D26D18EBE372FAFAA0BB92EC4C0F72
If you would just like your email suspended and resumed at a later
date, please let us know here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=2428A316E2EC0C78CDFA4B992123A1F2&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

** You are subscribed to the "Mitzvah Minute" email list as:
yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com. If your e-mail address is changing
please send us your new email address here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=85213D93289F832D030F778785ED886E&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chabad.org
Chabad Lubavitch Media Center
770 Eastern Parkway * Brooklyn, NY * 11213
Web: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F8D79E4E8A0BC9177C86129CCFB5C7C2&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
Feedback: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B8F43B5C8795AF35C6E3D1A53EAE5158&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>