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WHERE THE NORTH ENDS, A Novel by Hugo Moreno ~ Accused of being a heretic in 17th century New Mexico ~ forthcoming from UNM Press
Jewish Holidays

La Torah ~ Simchat Torah 5786

New Mexico Jewish Journal

New Mexico Jewish Journal

— 1 min read
La Torah ~ Simchat Torah 5786
La Torah Art by Gloria Abella Ballen from

This image, which is titled in Ladino "La Torah," emphasizes the lifting of the Torah standing on the letter chet, the gateway to infinity and life, explains Gloria Abella Ballen, artist. Created for the New World Haggadah with Ilan Stavans (Gaon Books), she said, "Above the scrolls it says La Torah (Ladino). The person is standing on the letter chet, for life and dream (chalom), in a space surrounded by letters which make the world."

Simchat Torah for Hebrew Year 5786 begins at sundown on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.

From ReformJudaism.org:

What are SH'MINI ATZERET AND SIMCHAT TORAH?

Immediately following Sukkot, we observe Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives.
As part of the celebration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times. During the Torah service, the concluding section of the fifth book of the Torah, D’varim (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B'reishit, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah.
Historically, Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah were two separate holidays (a day of reflection after the end of Sukkot and a celebration of Torah the following day). However, in Israel and in Reform congregations, which generally observe one day of holidays rather than two, Sh’mini Atzeret is observed concurrently with Simchat Torah."

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