Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 5784 begins at sundown on Friday, October 6, 2023.

The day after the 7 days of Sukkot is a new festival called Shemini Atzeret.

In Israel Shemini Atzeret is celebrated for one day. On this festival we complete the annual Torah reading cycle and begin the new cycle.

For this reason, Shemini Atzeret is also called Simchat Torah.

Vezot Haberachah is the 11th and final parsha in sefer Devarim / Deuteronomy.

Shortly before his death, Moses blesses the Children Israel, tribe by tribe. God shows him the entire Land of Israel. Moses died and was buried by God. No one knows his burial place. Though God gave the Jewish people other leaders and prophets, there never was a prophet like Moses. Only Moses had the privilege to know God “face to face.”

Parshat Vezot Haberachah is 41 verses from Devarim / Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12.

Here is a summary of Parshat Vezot Haberachah.

After finishing Vezot Haberachah, we read in Bereshit / Genesis verses 1:1 – 2:3.

Haftarah – Parshat Vezot Haberachah

Joshua 1:1 – 18 (Sephardim read only 1:1 – 9)

The Book of Joshua begins with the death of Moses. God commands Joshua to lead the Jewish people into the Land of Israel. He promises Joshua that He will be with him and no one will challenge Joshua’s leadership.

Outside of Israel, Shemini Atzeret is celebrated for 2 days.

The first day is called Shemini Atzeret and the second day is called Simchat Torah.

The Torah reading for Shemini Atzeret outside of Israel:
Torah: Deuteronomy 14:22 – 16:17
Additional Reading: Numbers 29:35 – 30:1
Haftarah: 1 Kings 8:54 – 9:1

See above for the Torah readings for Simchat Torah outside of Israel.