◆ Shmini Atzeret 2026

Customs & Observances

• Prayer for rain (Tefillat Geshem) — beginning the rainy season petitions
• Hakafot on Simchat Torah — dancing with Torah scrolls
• Completing and restarting the annual Torah reading cycle
• Yizkor memorial prayer

Greetings & Blessings for Shmini Atzeret

Traditional greetings used before, during, and after Shmini Atzeret:

• Chag Sameach — "A joyous holiday"
• Simchat Torah Sameach — "A joyous Simchat Torah"
• Chag Simcha — "A joyous festival"

בעברית:

• חג שמח
• שמחת תורה שמח
• חג שמחה

About Shmini Atzeret

Shmini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of Assembly, is a separate festival on the day after Sukkot. In the Diaspora, Simchat Torah (celebrating the Torah) is observed on the second day.

Also known as: Simchat Torah

Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall (when three medium stars are visible) on the final day. In the Diaspora, major Torah festivals are observed for two days (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), while in Israel they are observed for one day.