Already past Festival

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 2020

שמיני עצרת ושמחת תורה

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 2020: from the evening of October 9, 2020 until October 11, 2020.

Begins on the evening of

October 9, 2020

Ends

October 11, 2020

Length

2 days

October 10 – 11, 2020

In the Hebrew calendar

22 Tishri

5781

About the holiday

An extra day tacked onto the end of Sukkot, and in the diaspora a second one behind it: Simchat Torah. The prayer for rain is said for the first time in the year, the last verses of Deuteronomy are read and the opening of Genesis follows immediately, so the cycle never has a gap. The scrolls are carried around the synagogue seven times, and the dancing lasts as long as there are people to dance.

Other holidays in 2020

• Tu BiShvat February 10, 2020
• Purim March 10, 2020
• Passover (Pesach) April 9 – 16, 2020
• Yom HaShoah April 21, 2020
• Lag BaOmer May 12, 2020
• Shavuot May 29 – 30, 2020
• Tisha B’Av July 30, 2020
• Rosh Hashanah September 19 – 20, 2020
• Yom Kippur September 28, 2020
• Sukkot October 3 – 9, 2020
• Hanukkah December 11 – 18, 2020

The exact candle-lighting time depends on sunset where you are. Check with your local community.

Pick your city →