Both Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah immediately follow Sukkot. They are separate and distinct from Sukkot.
The eighth day of Sukkot is Shemini Atzeret. The term means “the Eighth (day) of assembly.” The holiday is dedicated to the love of G~d. This holiday marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. Its major feature, therefore, is the recitation of the prayer for rain.
Simchat Torah means “Rejoicing in the Torah.” It is a festive holiday that celebrates the completion of and the beginning of the yearly cycle of weekly Torah readings. During the year the complete Torah is read publically in weekly portions, beginning with Genesis and ending with Deuteronomy. On Simchat Torah, the last few verses of Deuteronomy are read, then immediately the beginning verses of Genesis are read, reminding Jews of the circle of life.
During the Simchat Torah celebration, all the Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and are carried around the synagogue. The congregation gets up and follows the Torah scrolls procession while singing and dancing. Often candy is tossed at the children as a reminder that study of Torah is sweet.
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