Simchas Torah, 23 Tishrei, 5786
Hakafos
Make Kiddush (as yesterday) and farbreng in preparation for hakafos. Atah Har’eisa is said three times, as during the night. The aron kodesh is then opened, and all the Sifrei Torah are removed. Various individuals are honored with holding the Sifrei Torah. The individuals holding the Sifrei Torah circle the bimah, followed by the rest of the congregation. The bimah is circled three-and-a-half times in succession. During each half circuit, the leading individual leads the congregation in saying one of the seven hakafos, completing the last paragraph as they finish the final half circuit. We then dance and sing with the Sifrei Torah. After hakafos, the Sifrei Torah are returned to the aron kodesh.
Krias Hatorah
The aron kodesh is opened a second time for krias hatorah. When the aron kodesh is opened, say Vayehi Binsoa Ha’aron, the Yud-Gimel Midos Harachamim, the Ribono Shel Olam for Shalosh Regalim, and Berich Shemei, as yesterday. Three Sifrei Torah are removed from the aron kodesh. From the first Sefer Torah, six aliyos are read in Parshas Vezos Haberachah. It is customary for everyone to receive an aliyah. To this end, after the first five aliyos have been read, they may be repeated as necessary. Additionally (or alternatively), many people may be called up to each aliyah. When many people receive a single aliyah, they say the berachos out loud together. For the fifth aliyah, all the boys are called up to the Torah, joined by an adult. The sixth aliyah is given to the Chassan Torah. Before he is called up, the first Meireshus is read. It is customary to stand when the last possuk of the Torah is read. After the baal korei finishes reading the last possuk, the entire congregation says aloud, “Chazak chazak venischazek!” This is then repeated by the baal korei. (The Chassan Torah says these words as well.)
The second Sefer Torah is then placed next to the first one, and hagbah and gelilah is done with the first Sefer Torah. From the second Sefer Torah, one aliyah is read in Parshas Bereishis, received by the Chassan Bereishis. Before he is called up, the second Meireshus is read. At the end of each day of Creation, the congregation says vayehi erev... aloud, followed by the baal korei. At the end of the sixth day, they say vayehi erev... and continue with Vayechulu (until the end of the aliyah), and the baal korei follows suit.
The third Sefer Torah is placed next to the second one, and Chatzi Kaddish is recited. This is followed by hagbah and gelilah of the second Sefer Torah. From the third Sefer Torah, Bayom hashemini is read for Maftir (Bamidbar 29:35–30:1). This is followed by hagbah and gelilah of the third Sefer Torah, after which the haftorah is read (Yehoshua 1:1–18).
Next, say the paragraphs Sisu vesimchu, Hiskabtzu, etc. (printed in the siddur after hakafos). This is followed by Ashrei. The Sefer Torah is returned to the aron kodesh, the chazzan says Chatzi Kaddish, and we daven Musaf as yesterday (but without duchening).
Rest of Day
For Chitas, learn the last five aliyos of Parshas Vezos Haberachah and the first three aliyos of Parshas Bereishis. If you did not yet finish shnayim mikra for Parshas Vezos Haberachah, it may be finished until tonight. The Rebbe would farbreng on Simchas Torah afternoon, lasting until after nightfall. After Maariv and havdalah, the Rebbe would distribute kos shel berachah.
Motzoei Yom Tov
On Motzoei Simchas Torah we announce: “V’Yaakov halach ledarko!”
