Simhat Torah

9.6

A Jewish holiday at the end of Sukkot when people celebrate finishing the yearly Torah readings

noun
/sɪmˈhɑt ˈtɔrɑ/

: Simjat Torá

During Simhat Torah, the Torah scrolls are carried in joyous processions around the sanctuary.

Examples

During Simhat Torah, the Torah scrolls are paraded.
On Simhat Torah, we read the last part of the Torah and begin anew with the first chapter.
Many families attend synagogue to celebrate Simhat Torah with singing and dancing.
On Simhat Torah, children often receive sweets and small flags as part of the festivities.
We celebrate Simhat Torah with joy and dancing.
Families gather in the synagogue to celebrate Simhat Torah with singing, dancing, and prayers.
During Simhat Torah, many people enjoy special treats and participate in festive processions.

Synonyms

Simchat Torah

vsSimhat Torah

1 8.4

A Jewish festival to celebrate finishing the yearly Torah readings and starting them again with dancing and singing

is the same holy day but described as occurring at Sukkot's end

Simchas Torah

vsSimhat Torah

9.4

A Jewish holy day at the end of Sukkot when people celebrate finishing the yearly Torah readings

is the same holy day but named by the date in Tishri

Simhath Torah

vsSimhat Torah

9.9

A Jewish festival celebrating the end of the yearly Torah readings

is the same holy day but usually called by English timing at Sukkot's end

Shimchath Torah

vsSimhat Torah

9.9

A Jewish festival when people finish and immediately begin the yearly Torah readings, often with singing and dancing

is the same holy day but emphasized only the completion aspect

Rejoicing over the Law

vsSimhat Torah

9.9

A Jewish festival celebrating finishing the yearly reading of the Torah

is the same holy day but usually named with the original festival term

Rejoicing of the Law

vsSimhat Torah

9.9

A Jewish holiday celebrating the end of the yearly reading of the Torah

is the same holy day but often called by its traditional name instead

Rejoicing in the Law

vsSimhat Torah

9.9

A Jewish holiday when people joyfully celebrate finishing the yearly reading of the Torah

is the same holy day but more often referred to by its Hebrew name

Surface Forms

Simhat Torah singular

Simhat Torahs plural

Morphology

Simhat + Torah

The phrase is literally compositional: Simhat (Hebrew for 'rejoicing') + Torah yields 'rejoicing of the Torah', so a learner who knows both constituents would infer it names a joyful celebration connected to the Torah. Cultural specifics (e.g. its timing at the end of Sukkot and the completion of the reading cycle) are not derivable from the words, but the core meaning as a festival of rejoicing about the Torah is transparent.

Etymology

Simhat Torah means 'joy of the Torah' and comes from the happy custom of finishing the yearly reading of the Torah and then carrying the scrolls while singing and dancing around the synagogue, so the day is a joyful public celebration of completing and starting the reading cycle.