Shemini Atzeres, 22 Tishrei, 5786
The Frierdiker Rebbe relates that in Lubavitch they would not say Krias Shema Al Hamitah tonight.
On Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, display more simchah than on the rest of Yom Tov, even more than during simchas beis hasho’eivah. “Treasure the forty-eight hours of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah,” said the Frierdiker Rebbe in the name of the Rebbe Rashab. “Every second, you can draw buckets and barrels of material and spiritual riches. How so? Through dancing!” (quoted in Sefer Haminhagim, p. 68)
On Shemini Atzeres, eat and drink in the sukkah, but don’t say Leisheiv Basukkah. Those who are mehader refrain even from drinking water outside the sukkah, today as well.
Maariv
Maariv begins with Shir Hamaalos. Say the Shemoneh Esrei for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the additions for Shemini Atzeres where indicated. After Shemoneh Esrei, the chazzan says Kaddish Shalem. Do not say Aleinu—it will be said later, after hakafos.
Hakafos
In preparation for hakafos, make Kiddush in the sukkah and farbreng. Say the Kiddush for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the addition for Shemini Atzeres where indicated. Say Shehecheyanu as well. Atah Har’eisa is said three times. Various individuals are honored with saying the pesukim, followed by the congregation. After each Atah Har’eisa, say the paragraph Av harachamim. It is customary to then honor someone to say the possuk Vehayah zar’acha.
The aron kodesh is then opened, and all the Sifrei Torah are removed. Various individuals are honored with holding the Sifrei Torah. The people holding the Sifrei Torah circle the bimah (counterclockwise), accompanied by the rest of the congregation. As they circle, the leader says the paragraph Ana Hashem hoshiah na, one stanza at a time, followed by the congregation. Afterwards, say the pesukim printed after the paragraph. We then dance and sing with the Sifrei Torah, until the gabbai announces, “Ad kan hakafah alef!” The Sifrei Torah are then returned to the aron kodesh. This procedure is repeated seven times, for each of the seven hakafos. At the end of the hakafos, the Sifrei Torah are returned to the aron kodesh and Aleinu is said.
Yom Tov Meals
On Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, the challah is not dipped into honey. When bentching after the Yom Tov meals (on both Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah), say Yaaleh Viyavo, inserting the words beyom shemini atzeres hachag hazeh, beyom tov mikra kodesh hazeh. Additionally, say the Harachaman for Yom Tov (but not the Harachaman for Sukkos).
Shacharis and Krias Hatorah
Say the Shemoneh Esrei for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the additions for Shemini Atzeres where indicated. This is followed by the whole Hallel, Kaddish Shalem, Shir Shel Yom and krias hatorah. When the aron kodesh is opened, say Vayehi Binsoa Ha’aron, the Yud-Gimel Midos Harachamim (once), the Ribono Shel Olam for Shalosh Regalim (inserting, where indicated, your name, your mother’s name, and the words �ּנ ַי, בתי�ּנ ִי, באשתי, ב, and/or בנותי, as appropriate), and Berich Shemei. Two Sifrei Torah are removed from the aron kodesh. From the first Sefer Torah, five aliyos are read in the kriah of Aser Te’aser (Devarim 14:22–16:17). The second Sefer Torah is then placed next to the first one, and Chatzi Kaddish is recited. This is followed by hagbah and gelilah of the first Sefer Torah. From the second Sefer Torah, Bayom hashemini is read for Maftir (Bamidbar 29:35–30:1). This is followed by hagbah and gelilah of the second Sefer Torah, after which the haftorah is read (I Melachim 8:54–66).
Krias hatorah is followed by Yizkor. Those whose parents are alive leave the shul during Yizkor. During the first year of mourning, the mourner stays in shul but does not recite Yizkor. This is followed by (Av Harachamim and) Ashrei. The Sefer Torah is returned to the aron kodesh, the chazzan says Chatzi Kaddish, and we daven Musaf.
Musaf
Before beginning Musaf, the gabbai announces, “Mashiv haruach u’morid hageshem!” From now on, replace Morid hatal with Mashiv haruach u’morid hageshem. See below, “Hosafos,” for more on morid hageshem, and for the halachah that applies if you forgot to say it. Say the Musaf for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the additions for Shemini Atzeres where appropriate. Chazaras hashatz begins with tefillas geshem. The Kohanim duchen during chazaras hashatz.
Rest of Day
For Kiddush, say Askinu, Eileh Moadei and Borei Peri Hagafen. Say shnayim mikra today for Parshas Vezos Haberachah. Minchah begins with Ashrei and Uva Letzion. Say the Shemoneh Esrei for Shalosh Regalim, inserting the additions for Shemini Atzeres where appropriate. (Don’t forget to say Mashiv haruach u’morid hageshem.) This is followed by Aleinu. Towards evening, enter the sukkah and eat or drink something to “bid farewell” to the sukkah.
Tahaluchah
We visit other shuls and join their hakafos, with the goal of increasing the simchas Yom Tov of the congregants. “Tahaluchah is my shlichus!” (Sichah of 2 Sivan, 5728) “With every step on tahaluchah, another angel is created.” (Sichah of Shavuos, 5728)
Women and girls light candles from an existing flame, saying the berachos of Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov and Shehecheyanu. A man lighting candles should not make the berachah of Shehecheyanu when lighting, as he will say this berachah later when making Kiddush.
Maariv is the same as yesterday. Tonight and tomorrow as well, insert the additions for Shemini Atzeres where indicated (in Shemoneh Esrei, Kiddush and Yaaleh Viyavo). Maariv is followed by Kiddush (indoors), a farbrengen, and hakafos, as yesterday. This is followed by the Yom Tov meal.
One year on Simchas Torah night, it was suggested that one individual make Kiddush and be motzi everyone else. The Frierdiker Rebbe replied: “The Shehecheyanu we say on Simchas Torah is for the Torah. With the Torah we can’t be motzi someone else; halevay we should fulfill our own obligation!” (Sefer Hasichos 5704, p. 32)
