Editing Simchat Torah (section)

==Evening festivities==
The Simchat Torah festivities begin with the evening service. All the synagogue's Torah scrolls are removed from the [[Ark (synagogue)|ark]] and are carried around the sanctuary in a series of seven ''hakafot'' (circuits). Although each ''hakafa'' needs to encompass only one circuit around the synagogue, the dancing and singing with the Torah often continues much longer and may overflow onto the streets.

In [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] and [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]] Jewish synagogues, each circuit is announced by a few melodious invocations imploring God to ''Hoshiah Na'' ("Save us") and ending with the refrain, ''Aneinu v'Yom Kor'einu'' ("[God] [[Psalm 20|answer us on the day we call]]"). In Orthodox and Conservative synagogues, the ''hakafot'' are accompanied by traditional chants, including biblical and liturgical verses and songs about the [[Torah]], the goodness of [[God in Judaism|God]] (''[[Mipi El]]'' is an example), [[Jewish Messianiasm|Messianic]] yearnings, and prayers for the restoration of the [[Davidic line|House of David]] and of the [[Temple in Jerusalem]]. Congregations may also sing other popular songs during the dancing. Children often receive flags, candies, and other treats. The vigor of the dancing and degree of festive merriment varies with congregational temperament.

In Orthodox synagogues, men and boys predominate in the dancing; children (even young girls) may also dance with their fathers. Women and older girls often have dancing circles (sometimes with the Torah scrolls) or look on from the other side of a ''[[mechitza]]'' (partition), in accordance with the value of ''[[tzniut]]'' (modesty).
In Conservative and [[Progressive Judaism|Progressive]] congregations, men and women dance together. In some congregations, the Torah scrolls are carried out into the streets, and the dancing may continue far into the evening.

After the ''hakafot'', many congregations recite a portion of the last ''[[parashah]]'' of the Torah, ''[[V'Zot HaBerachah|V'Zot HaBerakhah]]'' ("This is the Blessing ...") in [[Deuteronomy]]. The part read is usually 33:1–34:12, but this may vary by individual synagogue custom, although Deuteronomy is never read to the end of the evening.