1. Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah in Israel and the Diaspora
In Eretz Yisroel, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are observed as a single day of Yom Tov, while in the diaspora (chutz la’aretz—outside the Land), they are celebrated as two distinct days. The Mitteler Rebbe described the Israeli experience as mixing “vegetables with meat”—everything together in one stew, reflecting how all the customs and celebrations are combined into a single day. In Biblical times, this was also the case: only one day of Yom Tov was observed.
Most Chabad customs developed in chutz la’aretz, since historically, the majority of Chabad communities and Rebbeim lived outside of Israel. Only recently has there been a significant Chabad presence in Israel, possibly even rivaling or surpassing that of the United States due to extensive outreach efforts. Nevertheless, many traditions remain rooted in diaspora practice.
2. The Unique Joy of Simchas Torah
Simchas Torah is marked by an unparalleled level of joy—greater even than Simchas Beis HaSho'eivah—the water-drawing celebration during Sukkos. While all Yomim Tovim require rejoicing (v’samachta b’chagecha—you shall rejoice on your festival), Simchas Torah stands out for its exuberance and dancing, especially as it celebrates the completion of the Torah.
The Rebbe explained that where explicit mitzvah instructions for joy exist, such as on Yom Tov, there is joy but within certain bounds. Where joy is based more on tradition—such as Simchas Beis HaSho'eivah, and even more so with hakafos—the rejoicing is even greater. The Rebbe Rashab taught that during these 48 hours (or 24 hours in Israel), every moment is precious: one can draw down treasures “with buckets and barrels” through dancing—both physical and spiritual blessings.
In Israel, there is also a tradition called hakafos shniyos—“second hakafos”—performed after Yom Tov ends.
3. Spreading Joy to Other Communities
A special custom instituted by the Rebbe is for Chassidim—both young and old—to visit other shuls during Simchas Torah to help spread joy. This outreach ensures that even communities or individuals who may not be naturally inclined to celebrate with great enthusiasm are uplifted through dancing and rejoicing together.
4. Evening Davening and Kiddush Customs
On Shemini Atzeres night, some have a tradition to use Rosh Hashanah tunes for Maariv, but Chabad reserves this only for Simchas Torah. The order includes Shir HaMaalos, Kaddish, Barchu, followed by regular Yom Tov Maariv with Kaddish Shalem. After davening, Aleinu is not recited immediately; instead, mourners say Mishnayos and Kaddish d’Rabbanan. Aleinu is postponed until after hakafos.
Kiddush is made in the sukkah if possible (since it’s still Sukkos season), including Shehecheyanu. If women already recited Shehecheyanu when lighting candles, they do not repeat it at Kiddush. On Simchas Torah, each person should make their own Kiddush rather than relying on another’s recitation because the blessing of Shehecheyanu also pertains to completing the Torah.
The Rebbe set a limit on drinking mashke; on Simchas Torah he would sometimes lift it, as a one-time directive only.
5. Hakafos: Nighttime Customs and Procedures
Chabad custom is to perform hakafos both on Shemini Atzeres night (in chutz la’aretz) and on Simchas Torah night (in Israel this is all one night). Many other communities only do hakafos on Simchas Torah itself.
Hakafos are conducted verse by verse, honoring individuals with each verse. The first and last verses are traditionally given to the Rebbe or prominent individuals; proceeds from these honors often support yeshivos or communal institutions. The verses are recited three times in total before proceeding to open the ark (Aron Kodesh) for circling with all the sifrei Torah around the bimah seven times.
After each circle, it’s announced: “Ad kan hakafah alef” (“Up till here is Hakafah One”), etc., marking each round. The crowns are kept on the sifrei Torah; the Rebbe opposed removing them before the dancing out of concern that they might fall.
The niggunim sung at hakafos are fixed from generation to generation. Among them are V'chol karnei resha'im agadei'a, t'romamnah karnos tzaddik, Al HaSela Hach, the niggun known as Reb Levi Yitzchok's Hakafos niggun, and a dance niggun; the Rebbe would add further niggunim, such as “Hop Kazak.” After returning sifrei Torah to the ark at night there are no additional readings; Aleinu follows along with concluding prayers such as Al Tira and Ach Tzaddikim.
6. Daytime Hakafos and Aliyos Practices
On Simchas Torah day (Friday in chutz la’aretz; Thursday in Israel), hakafos follow similar procedures as at night: verses recited three times, circling seven half-circles around the bimah without pausing between each half-circle (resulting in three-and-a-half full circuits).
After hakafos comes taking out three sifrei Torah—a unique occurrence reserved for certain days like Simchas Torah:
- First sefer: reading from V’zos HaBerachah.
- Second sefer: reading from Bereishis.
- Third sefer: Maftir from Parshas Pinchas, the Musaf offering of the day (Bayom HaShemini Atzeres) followed by Haftorah (“Vayehi acharei mos Moshe”).
Every male congregant receives an aliyah; often groups go up together (all Kohanim for Kohen aliyah, all Levi’im for Levi aliyah). Children go up with their fathers but do not receive a tallis over their heads nor do they say HaMalach HaGoel—this differs from other communities’ customs.
When several adults are called up together, they all say the bracha together; when children go up together an adult makes one bracha on behalf of all children present.
Special honors include Chassan Torah (finishing Devarim) and Chassan Bereishis (beginning Bereishis); either can be given to a Kohen or Levi if appropriate. No tallis is placed over those receiving these honors per Chabad custom.
When finishing Devarim (V’zos HaBerachah), after the reading the whole congregation says Chazak chazak v’nischazek—“be strong!”—and the one called up says it as well, before the concluding bracha.
7. Handling Sifrei Torah During Laining
After reading from one sefer Torah it should not be removed until another has been placed down—never leave the bimah empty of a sefer Torah between readings. Hagbah (lifting) is performed according to Chabad custom: simply lifting up then lowering without turning around or facing people as done elsewhere—the up-and-down method explained by the Rebbe as preferable.
After finishing V’zos HaBerachah (first sefer), place down second sefer before performing hagbah/gelilah on first; then proceed similarly with third sefer after second reading.
For the Bereishis aliyah (Chassan Bereishis), read from Bereishis bara until bara Elokim la’asos; at each day’s conclusion (Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom echad), the congregation says the verse aloud, and the reader repeats it after them. At the sixth day, everyone says Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom hashishi and continues straight through Vayechulu until la’asos, and the reader repeats it after them.
8. Additional Customs: Yizkor, Meals, Concluding Prayers
Yizkor memorial prayers are recited on Shemini Atzeres—in Israel this may occur while sifrei Torah remain out following hakafos and dancing; elsewhere it takes place without dancing with sifrei Torah present at that time.
Meals should include wine if possible—a general Yom Tov practice—and honey dipping ceases after Sukkos concludes. Before going to sleep one should accept upon themselves renewed dedication to spreading Judaism (mesiras nefesh—self-sacrifice) with body and soul entirely devoted to Hashem’s will.
Following laining on Simchas Torah day come special songs such as Sisu V’simchu, Yisgabtzu Hashleichem Yisroel, culminating in further joyous dancing before concluding prayers like Atah Hareisa for opening ark again if needed.
Throughout these days we see how Chabad custom emphasizes both meticulous adherence to halacha/minhag and an overflowing spirit of simcha—a fusion that defines Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah across generations wherever Jews gather to celebrate completion—and renewal—of our holy Torah.