What Is Simchat Torah?

In this episode of Holy Days, Holy People, we explore Simchat Torah—Hebrew for “Rejoicing in the Torah”—and discover why one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar is devoted to celebrating the gift of God’s Word. It is a day of singing, dancing, and joy—and a reminder that when it comes to studying the Bible, every ending is also a new beginning.

In this episode, Fellowship President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein explains how Jewish people read through the Torah each year, from Genesis to Deuteronomy, and why the moment the final verses are completed, the cycle immediately begins again.

Jewish families celebrate Simchat Torah by dancing with Torah scrolls, singing together in synagogue, and teaching their children to treasure the sweetness of God’s Word. Studying the Bible is a lifelong journey and returning to the same Scriptures year after year reveals something new about God, ourselves, and the world around us.

The episode also remembers October 7, 2023—a Simchat Torah that became one of the darkest days in modern Jewish history. You’ll hear the stories of Tamar, an 83-year-old woman who prayed the Shema as terrorists repeatedly tried to break into her family’s safe room, and Ella, who lost two of her adult children in the attacks. Their stories reveal both the terrible cost of that day and the enduring faith of the people of Israel, as The Fellowship continues to stand beside survivors and grieving families with food, aid, and comfort.

Yet even after that dark day, Jewish families continue to celebrate. They still sing. They still dance. And they still return to Genesis and begin again. God’s Word and God’s faithfulness have never failed His people, and Simchat Torah teaches us that joy can endure even through sorrow and that every new beginning offers another opportunity to grow closer to Him.

Whether Simchat Torah is a holiday you’ve celebrated for years or one that you’re discovering for the first time, this podcast episode will deepen your appreciation for the eternal gift of Scripture and the joy found in studying it again and again.