Related reading: Shemini Atzeret Printable Guide, PDF and Explanation and Shema Yisrael for Children - Text, Explanation, Audio and Printable Guide.

Simchat Torah is the moment when the annual cycle of Torah reading is completed and immediately begun again. It is a holiday of Torah scrolls, hakafot, singing, dancing and communal joy, but it is also a beautiful opportunity to explain to children and families what it means to "finish" the Torah without ever leaving it behind. This page includes a clear explanation, a practical printable or PDF outline, a child-friendly version FAQ a Sukkot and Simchat Torah quiz idea.

This page is intended for families, teachers, educators, communities and synagogues looking for original, accessible holiday content before the festival. It does not replace a siddur, machzor, halachic guidance or local custom.

In Short: What Is Simchat Torah?

Simchat Torah celebrates the completion of the yearly Torah-reading cycle and its immediate renewal. The community reads V'Zot HaBerachah, the final portion of Deuteronomy and of the Torah, and then begins again from Bereshit. The joy is therefore not only about finishing. It is also about beginning again.

In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the same day as Shemini Atzeret, on 22 Tishrei. In the Diaspora, two festival days are observed: the first is Shemini Atzeret and the second, 23 Tishrei, is Simchat Torah. A printable guide should therefore clarify whether it is written for a community in Israel or outside Israel.

What Do We Do on Simchat Torah?

Simchat Torah is centered on the synagogue, the Torah scrolls and the community. Here is a practical structure for a family or communal handout:

Why Do We Read Both the End and the Beginning?

The Torah reading on Simchat Torah carries a deep educational idea: the Torah is not a book that is finished and put away. The community completes V'Zot HaBerachah, where Moses blesses Israel before his death, and immediately returns to Bereshit and the creation of the world. The transition teaches that Jewish learning is a living cycle. Every ending invites a beginning, and every beginning comes with more experience, memory and questions.

A printable version for children can say it simply: "When we finish the Torah, we begin it again, because there is always more to learn, more to ask and more to celebrate."

Hakafot: What Happens in the Synagogue?

During hakafot, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark, members of the community are honored with carrying them, and the congregation circles the bimah with song and dancing. Many communities hold seven hakafot, both at night and in the morning. Verses and piyutim are recited according to local rite, but an original content page should explain the custom without printing full texts that have not been reviewed.

The educational point is simple: the Torah does not remain only in the ark or on the bimah. It comes into the circle, into the community, to children, families and shared joy. This is one of the moments when even someone who does not study every day can feel part of the story.

The Torah Reading on Simchat Torah

On Simchat Torah, the community completes the Torah by reading V'Zot HaBerachah, which includes Moses' blessing to the tribes and the end of his life. Immediately afterward, the reading begins again with the opening of Genesis and the story of creation. According to Torah-reading sources, the festival offering from Numbers is also read, and the haftarah is from Joshua.

A PDF handout does not need to reproduce the full biblical text. It can present the structure:

Reading SectionWhat Is Read?Educational Meaning
Completion of the TorahV'Zot HaBerachahBlessing, completion, Moses and the passing of the journey forward
Beginning againBereshitBeginning, creation, responsibility and a new question
MaftirThe festival offeringConnection between the holiday, the calendar and the Temple service
HaftarahJoshuaThe transition from Moses' leadership to the next stage in the Land

Simchat Torah for Kids

You can explain it to children like this:

On Simchat Torah, we rejoice with the Torah like with a dear friend. We finish reading the whole Torah and then immediately begin again from Bereshit. Why? Because the Torah never really ends. Every year we grow, and our questions grow with us.

Printable activity:

  1. Draw an open Torah scroll and write the word "completion" next to it.
  2. On the other side, draw a new sun and write the word "beginning."
  3. Ask: What did we learn this year that we want to carry into the next year?
  4. Each child chooses one question they would like to ask about the Torah.
  5. End with a short round: "One thing that makes me happy about Torah is..."

Printable Simchat Torah Page

A good Simchat Torah handout should be short, clear and useful before the holiday or in the synagogue. It should work for both adults and children without overloading the page with long liturgical texts.

Suggested Title

Simchat Torah: We Finish, Begin and Rejoice with the Torah

Short Opening for the Handout

Simchat Torah is a festival of completion and beginning. We finish reading the Torah with V'Zot HaBerachah, begin again with Bereshit, and dance with the Torah scrolls during hakafot. In Israel, the holiday is celebrated on 22 Tishrei together with Shemini Atzeret; in the Diaspora, it is celebrated on the second festival day.

Recommended Handout Structure

Quiz Question for the Handout

What do we do immediately after completing the Torah on Simchat Torah?

Answer: Begin again from the Book of Genesis.

Sukkot and Simchat Torah Quiz Idea

Create a game round called "Ending or Beginning?" Give players cards with concepts such as V'Zot HaBerachah, Bereshit, hakafot, Torah scroll, Joshua, Moses, Shemini Atzeret and hakafot shniyot.

In each round, ask:

Suggested CTA: Open the Sukkot quiz and add a "Simchat Torah" round: identify what completes the Torah, what begins it again, and how synagogue joy becomes a thoughtful question at home.

FAQ

When Is Simchat Torah Celebrated?

In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on 22 Tishrei, together with Shemini Atzeret. In the Diaspora, it is celebrated on the second festival day, 23 Tishrei.

What Is Read from the Torah on Simchat Torah?

The community reads V'Zot HaBerachah, the final Torah portion, and then begins the Book of Genesis. The festival offering is also read, and the haftarah is from Joshua.

What Are Hakafot?

Hakafot are the custom of taking out the Torah scrolls, circling the bimah, singing and dancing in honor of the Torah. People often speak of seven hakafot, though the exact wording and practice vary by community.

Are Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret the Same Holiday?

In Israel, they are celebrated on the same day. In meaning, Shemini Atzeret is the festival immediately after Sukkot, while Simchat Torah emphasizes the completion and renewal of the Torah-reading cycle. In the Diaspora, they are observed on two separate days.

Do Children Participate in Simchat Torah?

In many communities, children participate through songs, flags, dancing circles and Torah-themed activities. The participation should preserve respect for the Torah scrolls, safety and local custom.

What Are Hakafot Shniyot?

Hakafot shniyot are held after Simchat Torah ends, especially in Israel. Because the festival has ended, many communities include music and instruments. The custom continues the joy of the Torah beyond the holiday itself.

Can We Publish a PDF Without Full Prayer Texts?

Yes. You can publish an original educational handout with explanation, tables, a kids activity FAQ and quiz questions. Full hakafot texts, piyutim, vocalized verses, blessings and translations should be reviewed for source, rite and licensing.

How Can Simchat Torah Become a Family Quiz?

Ask short "completion and beginning" questions: Which portion ends the Torah? Which book begins it? Who continues Moses' path? What do we want to begin again after the holidays?