It is customary in many communities (including Chabad) that the Kohanim give their blessing in Shacharit of Simchat Torah instead of Musaf. The reason for this is that many people make kiddush before Hakafot and drink alcohol. This may invalidate a kohen from reciting the priestly blessing. In some communities the Birkat Kohanim is recited during Musaf as usual. In such a community, the Kohanim should make sure not to drink alcohol before the blessing.
Hakafot
On the day of Simchat Torah, the Chabad custom is to recite all seven Hakafot while circling the Bimah three and a half times. Following this, all join in dancing with the Torah.
Aliyot for All
Following the Hakafot, all men and boys over Bar Mitzvah should be called to the Torah. This is done by repeating the Torah reading as many times as necessary (up to the aliyah of Chattan Torah). In some communities it is customary to call several people up to one aliyah. In such communities it is proper that at least the first five aliyot be given to one person each. If there are many Kohanim and/or Levyim, one may call them up for the fourth or fifth Aliyah. When repeating the reading in order to give everyone an Aliyah, if the kohanim already received aliyot, they need not leave the room when giving the first Aliyah (of the later rounds) to a non-Kohen. The Gabbai should simply call the Levi or Yisrael and say “Af Al Pi Sheyesh Kohen – Even though there is a Kohen present.”
Kol HaNe'arim
A special Aliyah is reserved for all of the children. It is called Kol Hane'arim (all the children). In many communities, it is the final Aliyah before the Chatan Torah. It is customary in some communities to spread a Talit over the children's heads while they receive this Aliyah and to read the verse of Hamalach hago'el after the Aliyah. Although this concept is correct on a spiritual level, it is not the Chabad custom.
Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit
- In some communities, the Rav or an outstanding Torah scholar is honored with the Chatan Torah Aliyah (the Aliyah that completes the Torah). In other communities such a person is honored with the Chatan Bereishit Aliyah (the Aliyah that begins the Torah). In any case, it should be a person who is honored and respected because of his importance or his wealth.
- The Lubavitcher Rebbe would customarily receive the Chatan Bereishit aliyah.
- Some say that the Chatan Bereishit Aliyah is a segulah (spiritually propitious act) for wealth and should therefore be given (or sold) to a generous person who will use his wealth properly.
- A Kohen or Levi may receive these aliyot.
- A father may receive the aliyah of Chatan Torah even if the son received the previous aliyah (or vice versa). It would seem that the same would apply to Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit.
- One who already received an aliyah during the regular Torah reading may still receive one of these aliyot. But one person should not be both the Chatan Torah and the Chatan Bereishit.
- It is considered proper to pay for receiving these (and many other) honors. This indicates how precious we consider the Torah and Mitzvot. The proceeds should go towards supporting the Shul or Beit HaMidrash and towards supporting Torah scholars.
- The Chatan Torah (the one honored with the final aliyah of the Torah) completes the Torah using the first Sefer Torah.
- The Lubavitcher Rebbe quoted the Abrabanel that the public reading to complete the Torah on Simchat Torah evokes the memory of Hakhel when the king would read that section of the Chumash in front of all the Jewish people around that time of year.
Reverse Hagbah
It is customary in many communities for the person doing hagbah to lift up the Torah while reversing his hands and to turn the Torah around in midair. This symbolizes the need to delve into the Torah. It also symbolizes how Moshe shared the Torah with the people and did not keep it for himself. This, however, is not the Chabad custom.
- The Ashkenazi custom is to not recite Half kaddish between the Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit. Nevertheless, if one started to say Kaddish, he may finish it.
- Some Sefardim have the custom to say half-kaddish between these readings.
- The second Sefer Torah is used for the Chatan Bereishit Aliyah (the one honored to begin the Torah).
Chattan Bereishit
When reading the beginning of the book of Bereishit, the community recites aloud the words at the end of each day of creation (Vayehi Erev Vayehi Boker etc.) as well as the paragraph about Shabbat (Vayechulu). This is to publicly proclaim our belief in the creation story as recorded in the Torah and to indicate that the continued existence of the world is dependent on the Jewish people’s continued devotion to G-d.
Half-Kadish is recited after the Chatan Berieshit Aliyah. If half-Kaddish was mistakenly recited after Chattan Torah, it should be recited again after Chatan Bereishit.
Maftir
The third Torah is used for Maftir. Following the Torah reading, we recite Sisu V'simchu (Siddur pg. 388) and pray Musaf.
The Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit usually sponsor a feast on Simchat Torah in honor of the completion of the Torah. A mourner may participate in this meal.
