Editing Simchat Torah (section)

==Duration of holiday==

On the [[Hebrew calendar]], the seven-day holiday of [[Sukkot]] in the autumn (late mid-September to late mid-October) is immediately followed by the holiday of [[Shemini Atzeret]]. In [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] and [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]] communities outside Israel, Shemini Atzeret is a two-day holiday, and the Simchat Torah festivities are observed on the second day. The first day is called "Shemini Atzeret", and the second day as "Simchat Torah". However, according to [[Halakha]], both days are officially Shemini Atzeret, reflected in the liturgy. Many [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] communities have Hakafot on the eve of the first day of Shemini Atzeret. However, in all communities outside Israel, no Hakafot is done on the first morning.

In [[Israel]], Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the same day. [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] congregations, even outside Israel, may do likewise. Many communities in Israel have [[Hakafot#Second Hakafot|''Hakafot Shniyot'' ("Second Hakafot")]] on the evening following the holiday, which is the same day as Simchat Torah evening in the diaspora. The custom was started by the former Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Rabbi Yedidya Frankel.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/148941#.UBXLUqDnEoN |title=Video: Second Round – Post Sukkot Hakafot in Urban Israel |date=October 22, 2011 |last1=Sylvetsky |first1=R. |last2=Kempinski |first2=Yoni |publisher=[[Arutz Sheva]]}}</ref>