Hakafot on Shmini Atzeret

After Ma'ariv, the custom in many Chassidic communities, based on the Arizal, is to do Hakafot (Siddur pg. 383) on the night of Shmini Atzeret and to dance with the Torah. In the words of the Alter Rebbe in his siddur: “It is an ancient custom of the pious to make Hakafot on the eve of Shmini Atzeret just as on Simchat Torah – to carry the Torah Scrolls in procession around the bimah seven times with great joy, to dance and sing before them [the Torah Scrolls], to go around (the bimah) with them with great rejoicing...”

• The reason for this custom seems to be that since Simchat Torah is celebrated in Israel on the eve of Shmini Atzeret, so the Jews outside of Israel participate in their rejoicing by making Hakafot as well.
• In non-Chassidic communities, there are no Hakafot on this night.
• In some Chassidic communities, there are Hakafot on the day of Shmini Atzeret as well. They are thus participating in the joy of those in the land of Israel. This is not the Chabad custom.
• In Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on Shmini Atzeret.
• It is best to refrain from marital relations on this night (unless it is Mikvah night). The same applies to the night of Simchat Torah.