Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah." On Simchat Torah, we celebrate the conclusion of our annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of another. We read the last Torah portion, then the first chapter of Genesis, remembering that the Torah is a circle of life that never ends.

On Simchat Torah, we sing and dance with the Torah, forming processions in the synagogue. As many people as possible are given the honor of carrying a Torah scroll, and as many people as possible are given the honor of an aliyah (reciting a blessing over the Torah reading). Children are called up for an aliyah, too. Torah brings sweetness to the lives of all of us!

Ellen Regal took this photo at a recent Simchat Torah celebration.