Editing Simchat Torah (section)

=== Readings ===
As early as the 9th century, perhaps earlier, some Jewish communities assigned a special reading from the Prophets to be read on this day. In the 13th century, the reading of Genesis was added in some communities immediately upon the completion of Deuteronomy, and the [[Shulchan Aruch|Shulhan Arukh]] (written about 1565)<ref>OC אורח חיים תרסט see Mishnah Berurah volume 6 p. 272</ref> codifies this. There is presumably a later custom of southern European countries to remove all the Torah scrolls from the ark and to sing a separate hymn for each one. In northern European countries, those who had finished the reading of Deuteronomy donated to the synagogue, after which the wealthier members of the community would give a dinner for friends and acquaintances. By the end of the 15th century, it was a common though not universal practice for the children to tear down and burn the [[sukkah]]s on Simchat Torah.<ref>Maharil, cited in OC Darchei Moshe 669:3)</ref>

In the 16th century, taking out the scrolls and filing solemnly around the [[Bema#Judaism|bimah]] on the night of the 23rd of Tishri became customary. On the same evening, several passages from the Torah were read after the procession.<ref name=":0" />

In the 17th century, [[Rebecca bat Meir Tiktiner]] of [[Prague]] composed a poem about Simchat Torah.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rebecca bat Meir Tiktiner |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/rebecca-bat-meir-tiktiner |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref>

In [[Poland]], it was the custom to sell to the members of the congregation, on the 23rd of Tishri, the privilege of executing various functions during the services on Shabbat and Jewish festivals; i.e., the synagogue used this occasion as a fund-raiser. People who made these donations were called to the Torah and given a congregational blessing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Posner |first=Menachem |title=What to Expect at Simchat Torah Services |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3076274/jewish/What-to-Expect-at-Simchat-Torah-Services.htm |website=Chabad}}</ref>