Simhath Torah

/sim"khahs tawr"euh, tohr"euh/; Seph. Heb. /seem khaht" taw rddah"/; Ashk. Heb. /sim"khahs toh"rddeuh, toy"rddeuh, -kheuhs/

a Jewish festival, celebrated on the 23rd day of Tishri, being the 9th day of Sukkoth, that marks the completion of the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue and the beginning of the new cycle.

Also, Simhat Torah, Simchath Torah, Simchat Torah.

[ < Heb simhath torah lit., rejoicing of the Law]

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▪ religious festival

Simhath also spelled  Simhat, Simchas, Simchath, or Simchat,  Hebrew  Simḥat Torah  

      (“Rejoicing of the Torah”), Jewish religious observance held on the last day of Sukkoth (“Festival of Booths”), when the yearly cycle of Torah reading is completed and the next cycle is begun. Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and carried through the synagogue seven times in a joyful procession, sometimes followed by children waving flags. There are singing and dancing and, for the children, sweets. The rejoicing characteristic of Simhath Torah is meant to express the joy that Jews feel in their possession and observance of the words of the Torah (the “Law”).

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