Simchat Torah celebrates the end and the beginning of the annual Torah reading cycle. The Torah is the primary Jewish sacred text—the Five Books of Moses—and is read from a scroll over the course of the year. On Simchat Torah, the last few verses of Deuteronomy are read consecutively with the first chapter of Genesis. It is a powerful moment to chant the story of the death of Moses immediately followed by hearing the story of Creation. A typical Simchat Torah celebration in a synagogue includes singing, dancing, and parading with the Torah scrolls, as well as a chance for anyone present to see the Torah up close. The Torah is referred to as a Tree of Life, giving sustenance, connection, and meaning to anyone who comes into relationship with its teachings.
