TORAH READINGS FOR 15 TISHRI 5787 October 2-3, 2026 – SHEMINI ATZERET-SIMCHAT TORAH
SHAZOOM ONLY 6:30 pm October 2, 2026
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND ALL THE VICTIMS OF CONFLICT
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” CCAR, New York 2007, p.178
SHALOM RAV al Yisraël amcha tasim l’olam, v’al kol yoshvëi tëvël, v’imru. Amen.
GRANT ABUNDANT PEACE to Israel Your people forever, [and all who inhabit the earth. Amen.]
MIPI ËL – מִפִּי אֵל
From the mouth of God all of Israel is blessed. From Piyyut Ën Adir
ְPARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shmini-atzeret-simchat-torah
Sh’mini Atzeret – Simchat Torah שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת – שִׂמחַת תוֹרָה
8th Day of Assembly
Holidays Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12, Genesis 1:1–2:3; Maftir: Numbers 29:35-30:1
This is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, bade the Israelites farewell before he died. – Deuteronomy 33:1
HAFTARAH
Joshua 1:1-18
Parasha Ve-zot ha-Berachah ends the Book of Deuteronomy. Upon completing a book of Torah Ashkenazi Jews shout “Chazak! Chazak! Venit-chazëk” which is translated as “Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!” The Sephardic custom is to say “Chazak U’baruch” (“strength and blessing”) at the end of every single individual Torah reading; the response is “Chazak Ve’ematz” (“be strong and have courage” from Deut. 31:23) or “Baruch Tihiye” (“may you be blessed.”)
SUMMARY:
On Simchat Torah, the day on which we literally celebrate the Torah, we read the very end of Deuteronomy and the very beginning of Genesis. In the final verses of Torah, we read Moses’ blessing of the Israelites, offered before the prophet dies. Moses then ascends Mount Nebo, from which he sees the Promised Land and takes his final breath. God buries Moses and we are told there will never be another prophet like him. From this passage, we immediately begin our new cycle of Torah reading with the story of creation from the beginning of Genesis. And we create a new year of studying Torah. While each year we return to the same verses, it is we who are different. With each passing year, we grow and change, celebrate and mourn. And it is as if we are reading these sacred words for the very first time.
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
Please see the Shazoom and Observances schedule through December 2026 below. Read the Torah Portions at https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.33.1-34.12, and https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.1-2.3, Maftir at https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.29.35-30.1, Haftarah at https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.1.1-18.
From Wikipedia.com Maftir – Wikipedia
The maftir portion for the Festivals and for Rosh Chodesh that occurs on Shabbat comes from the appropriate paragraph in Numbers 28 or 29, describing the sacrifice for the day. [Which is the case with the readings for Shemini Atzéret-Simchat Torah this year.]
RECOMMENDED READING
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shmini-atzeret-simchat-torah
By: Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch
[The following two sections are taken from previous years:]
From Wikipedia.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%27Zot_HaBerachah
Ve-zot ha-Berachah – Deut. 33:1-34:12
(וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה — Hebrew for “and this is the blessing“)
The parashah sets out the farewell Blessing of Moses for the 12 Tribes of Israel and concludes with the death of Moses.
Professor James Kugel of Bar Ilan University reported that modern scholars see Moses’s blessing of the tribes in Deuteronomy 33 to be of a different, arguably quite ancient, provenance than the rest of Deuteronomy, and that an editor tacked Deuteronomy 33 on to round out the book.
Noting the absence of Simeon from Deuteronomy 33, Kugel explained that modern scholars see a midcourse correction in Israel’s list of tribes in Jacob’s adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48:1–6. That there were 12 tribes seems to have become unchangeable at an early stage of Israel’s history, perhaps because of the number of lunar months in a year. But, at some point, Simeon disappeared. So to compensate for its absence, the Israelites counted the territory elsewhere attributed to Joseph as two territories, each with its own ancestor figure. And thus the tribal list in Deuteronomy 33 could omit the Simeonites and, by replacing Joseph with Ephraim and Manasseh, still include the names of 12 tribes.
Some scholars who follow the Documentary Hypothesis find evidence of three separate sources in the parashah. Thus some scholars consider the account of the death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34:5–7 to have been composed by the Jahwist (sometimes abbreviated J) who wrote possibly as early as the 10th century BCE. Some scholars attribute the account of mourning for Moses in Deuteronomy 34:8–9 to the Priestly source who wrote in the 6th or 5th century BCE. And then these scholars attribute the balance of the parashah, Deuteronomy 33:1–34:4 and Deuteronomy 34:10–12 to the first Deuteronomistic historian (sometimes abbreviated Dtr 1) who wrote shortly before the time of King Josiah. These scholars surmise that this first Deuteronomistic historian took the Blessing of Moses, Deuteronomy 33, from an old, separate source and inserted it here.
Professor Patrick D. Miller of Princeton Theological Seminary argued that an implicit reason for the death of Moses outside the land is that his work was truly done: The people from then on was to live by the Torah and thus no longer needed Moses.
REFLECTION
We are now approaching the end of the annul High Holy Days period which began with the preparations during the month of Elul and extends through Sukkot, the third and last of the “regalim” (pilgrimage festivals). Many think of the High Holy Days as being only Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and by extension the ten days of repentance/awe in between. However, we begin greeting each other with Shana Tovah at the S’lichot Service several days before Rosh Hashanah. In addition, tradition teaches that we may still repent and receive forgiveness for our mistakes, failings and errors through Hoshana Rabah (the great supplication), which takes place the seventh day of Sukkot.
We then cap it all off with the holidays of Shemini Atzéret (eighth day of assembly) and Simchat Torah (rejoicing with/of the Torah) – in Israel and the Reform Movement, the two holidays are combined into one. The former is mandated in Torah and the latter, a Rabbinical holiday, probably originated during the middle ages.
Among other things, the Simchat Torah celebration involves singing to and “dancing” with all the Torah Scrolls seven times around the sanctuary and sometimes spilling out onto the street – the circuits are called hakafot. We also read the last portion of Devarim (Deuteronomy) and the first of Berëshit (Genesis), ending one and beginning another annual cycle of readings from the Torah with great fanfare and joy.
Whether we believe the Torah is God’s word written by Moses, or ancient literature that reflects the times and circumstances of its compilers and editors, it is the profound and rich story of the Jewish people. It contains valuable lessons to be learned from its triumphs and defeats, its lofty ideals and miserable failings, its strengths and foibles. It ultimately represents Jewish values and ethics, and how to be in the world and repair it.
The Jewish people and Torah are one – we live! So, as we celebrate, with the same fervor that we made our resolutions, may we fully implement what we resolved to improve in ourselves and repair the world. Seek peace and pursue it (Ps. 34:14).
PIRKË AVOT 1:2 – Shimon the Righteous
Al sh’loshah d’varim ha’olam omëd – The world is sustained by three things: Torah, worship and loving deeds.
PRAYERS
PSALM 68:10 – GESHEM N’DAVOT – גֶּשֶׁם נְדָבוֹת
. גֶּשֶׁם נְדָבוֹת, תְּנִיף אֱלֹהִים; נַחֲלָתֶךָ וְנִלְאָה, אַתָּה כּוֹנַנְתָּה
May You release bountiful rain, O God;
May You revive the land in its weariness.
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur”:
WEEKDAY T’FILAH – Al HaRishah – עַל הָרִשְׁעָה p.88
AND FOR WICKEDNESS, let there be no hope, and may all the errant return to You, and may the realm of wickedness be shattered. Blessed are You, Adonai, whose will it is that the wicked vanish from the earth. Amen.
FOR OUR COUNTRY p.376
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL p.552
O HEAVENLY ONE, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel which marks the dawning of hope for all who seek peace. Shield it beneath the wings of your love; spread over it the canopy of Your peace; send Your light and truth to all who lead and advise, guiding them with Your good counsel. Establish peace in the land and fullness of joy for all who dwell there. Amen.
FOR HEALING – El Na R’fa Na Lah!
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of abuse, brutality, conflicts, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds especially directed at individuals and specific communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, conflict, disease, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds, and war.
This coming week, 22 Tishri through 28 Tishri, we lovingly remember:
Joe Aragon
Uncle of Mary Caron
Ira Jaffrey
Friend of Bob Behrstock
Helen L. Simmons
TKH Memorial Board
David Tafoya
Cousin of Mary Caron
Rob Truitt
Brother-in-law of Susie Morss
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
SHAZOOM ONLY
NOTE: ACCESS TO THE WEEKLY SHAZOOM MEETINGS HAS BEEN CHANGED.
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: Oct 2, 2026 06:30 PM Arizona
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat – Gut Shabbos
v’Yom Tov – Mued Bueno – Gut Yontiv,
-Ruben
PS – Shazoom and Observances schedule through December 2026 (Arizona Time Zone):
October 2, 2026 – Erev Shabbat – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[October 2-3, Sh’mini Atzéret (Eight Day of Assembly) and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah); Reform Movement combines as in Israel]
[October 7, remembering the killed and captured]
October 9, 2026 – Erev Shabbat – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm)
[October 10-12, Saturday-Monday – Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan]
[October 12, Monday – Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day]
October 16, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
October 23, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
October 30, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
November 6, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[November 8-9, Sunday-Monday – Sigd (Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 days after Yom Kippur)]
[November 9-11, Monday-Wednesday – Rosh Chodesh Kislev]
[November 11, Wednesday – Veterans Day]
November 13, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
November 20, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[November 26, Thursday – Thanksgiving Day]
November 27, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
December 4, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm (Erev Chanukah, First Candle)
[December 5, Friday – Chanukah on Shabbat]
[December 5 to 12, Saturday-Saturday – Chanukah]
[December 9-10, Wednesday-Thursday – Chag HaBanot–North African Chanukah Festival of Daughters]
[December 9-11, Wednesday-Friday – Rosh Chodesh Tevet]
December 11, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm (Chanukah Eighth Candle)
[December 12, Saturday – Chanukah on Shabbat]
December 18, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[December 20, Sunday – Asara B’Tevet – Fast, Siege of Jerusalem]
December 25, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[December 31, Thursday – Secular New Year’s Eve]
January 1, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[January 1, Friday – Secular New Year’s Day 2027]