HOW WE CELEBRATE:


The celebration of Simchat Torah begins after the evening prayers. Congregants remove all the Torahs from the synagogue’s ark. Congregants dance around the perimeter of the sanctuary, and even into the streets in many cities around the world, in seven hakafot (circuits), carrying the Torahs, singing songs of joy and praise, and asking God to answer our prayers and to save us. The carrying of the Torah scrolls is shared among all who are present, and children join in by waving flags, singing, dancing and delighting in the candy inevitably tossed their way.
Another high point for children – and all who love them – is the practice of Kol HaNe’arim, in which the children are called up the Torah and together recite the Torah blessings while standing under an outstretched tallit (prayer shawl) held by members of the congregation. Upon conclusion of the Torah blessings, the children are collectively blessed by the congregation with Jacob’s blessing over Menashe and Ephraim (Genesis 48:16-20): “May the angel who has redeemed me from all evil bless these children…”