Shmini Atzeret 2023

Israel vs. Diaspora: Shmini Atzeret 2023 Dates

Shmini Atzeret is observed on different days depending on where you are. In the Land of Israel, biblical festivals last one day; in the Diaspora, communities keep a second day (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), a custom dating back to calendar-confirmation times:

All times and dates elsewhere on this page follow the Diaspora schedule. Travelers should plan according to their location on the festival eve.

Halachic Framework

As a biblical festival (Yom Tov), Shmini Atzeret carries obligations similar to Shabbat, with a few permit exceptions:

• Work restrictions: Creative labor (melachah) is prohibited. Cooking and carrying for food preparation are permitted (ochel nefesh), so meals may be prepared on the festival itself.
• Prayer additions: Hallel is recited during the morning service, the Musaf sacrifice is memorialized in the Additional Prayer, and Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted into the Amidah and Grace After Meals.
• Yizkor: The memorial prayer for departed parents is recited in Diaspora communities (and in many Israeli ones) on the final day.
• Kiddush & candles: Festival candles are lit before sunset on the eve, and Kiddush is recited both nights.

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.

Candle Lighting Times for Shmini Atzeret 2023

Festival candles are lit on the evening of Friday, October 6, 2023 before sunset. Times for six major communities:

Candle-lighting is calculated as sunset minus each community's customary offset (Jerusalem 40 minutes; most other communities 18). If a festival eve falls on a weekday, the times above are exact; use the weekly schedule links for surrounding dates.