Israel observes Simchat Torah  September 30-31   Israel celebrates Simchat Torah as a two day holiday.   On the Hebrew calendar, the autumnal holiday of Sukkot is immediately followed by the Shemini Atzeret. Shemini Atzeret is a two-day holiday and the festivities for the Simchat Torah are observed on the second day. The first day of the two day holiday is called “Shemini Atzeret” and the second day is called “Simchat Torah”. According to Halaka, both days are officially Shemini … [Read more...]