Duration of Holiday
On the Hebrew calendar, the holiday of Sukkot in the autumn (late mid-September to late mid-October) is immediately followed by the holiday of Shemini Atzeret. In Orthodox and Conservative communities outside Israel, Shemini Atzeret is a two-day holiday and the Simchat Torah festivities are observed on the second day. The first day is referred to as "Shemini Atzeret" and the second day as "Simchat Torah," although both days are officially Shemini Atzeret according to Halakha, and this is reflected in the liturgy.
In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the same day. Reform congregations, even not in Israel, may do likewise. Many communities in Israel have Hakafot Shniyot (Second Hakafot) on the evening following the holiday, which is the same day as Simchat Torah evening in the diaspora, as an expression of solidarity with Jewish communities in the diaspora. The custom was started by the former Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Yedidia Frankel.
Read more about this topic: Simchat Torah
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