Here’s what you need for an amazing Simchat Torah

Uber-joyous Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah starts before sunset on Oct. 16 and goes through the 18th. [View Online Version]( [Chabad.org]( ב"ה [Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah]( starts before sunset on Oct. 16 and goes through the 18th. [Simchat Torah]( Dear Friend, As we experience the pulsating joy of Sukkot, we look forward to it culminating with the super-joyous holiday of [Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah](. "On Simchat Torah," goes the chassidic adage, "we rejoice with the Torah, and the Torah rejoices with us; the Torah, too, wants to dance, so we become the Torah's dancing feet." As we dance, the Torah remains covered in its mantel, equally accessible to all—from the beginner to the scholar—for all of us to treasure and celebrate. This message is especially poignant in [this Hakhel year]( when Jews of all stripes gather to share inspiration, Torah, and camaraderie. To make your Simchat Torah as special as possible, we’ve marshaled 10 things for you to do now in preparation for the holy days. L’chaim—to Life! Chag Same’ach! Your friends @ Chabad.org 10 things to do before Simchat Torah 1 Brush Up on The Holiday With two names (Shemini Atzeret is in the Torah, and Simchat Torah was introduced in the Middle Ages) and a range of emotions (we say Yizkor one day and dance with abandon on the next), this holiday must be unpacked and understood. » [Read: 15 Simchat Torah Facts]( 2 Prepare to Light Candles Like on all holidays, we usher in the day with candle-lighting before the evening meal. On the second night, make sure to kindle your candles from a pre-existing flame, since striking a match or lighting a lighter is forbidden. » [Candle Lighting Times for Your City]( » [Print the Candle Blessings]( 3 Experience the Holiday With the Rebbe Learn from the Rebbe about the unique joy and inner rhythm that radiates outward from this season to the entire year. » [Watch the Rebbe Explain Why We Dance With Abandon (Subtitles)]( » [Read a Classic Teaching of the Rebbe Rendered by Tzvi Freeman]( 4 Read What to Expect The synagogue service of this day is like no other, replete with dancing, singing, capering, snacking, and maybe even some (moderate) drinking in the synagogue. » [Read: What to Expect at Simchat Torah in Synagogue]( 5 Cook Up Simchat Torah Specialities In addition to challah (dipped in salt, not honey), your Simchat Torah meals should be festive and delicious. A Simchat Torah classic in many communities is stuffed cabbage ([here’s why](. » [Miriam's Easy but Delectable Stuffed Cabbage Recipe]( 6 Print Simchat Torah Essays Make sure you have enlightening and inspiring reading material so that every moment of the holiday is uplifting and memorable. » [Print Essays]( | [Stories]( | [More]( 7 Prepare for Yizkor On the first day of the holiday we memorialize our departed loved ones. » [Why Do We Say Yizkor When We Do?]( 8 Get Ready to Restart Daily Study On Simchat Torah we complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah and immediately start it again. This is an ideal time to rededicate ourselves to daily Torah study, completing the entire Torah in a year’s time. » [Start: Chabad.org/DailyStudy]( » [1-Click Subscribe: Parshah Picks (Free Email)]( 9 Get the Kids Involved Get into the Simchat Torah mood with these coloring sheets, which you can either hang on the wall or turn into Simchat Torah Flags! » [Print Coloring Sheets]( » [Why the Simchat Torah Flags?]( 10 Take a Quiz Found everything you need, and feel ready for a rollicking Simchat Torah? Take our quiz to see how well you know this special holiday. » [Take the Simchat Torah Quiz]( » [Take the Jewish Holiday Quiz]( For more on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah visit: [Chabad.org/SimchatTorah]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Chabad.org]( This email was sent to: [{EMAIL}](#) [Change email address]( · [Manage Subscriptions]( · [Unsubscribe]( [Chabad.org]( · [Ask the Rabbi]( · [Contact Us]( · [Donate]( · [Privacy Policy]( © Copyright [Chabad.org]( · 770 Eastern Parkway Suite 405 · Brooklyn, NY 11213