Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah: The Game Plan Starts Here 

Rabbi Ariel Platt 

As we continue through the season, we arrive at the final three holidays of the Jewish calendar’s fall cycle — Sukkot (sundown September 25–sundown October 2), Shemini Atzeret (sundown October 2–sundown October 3), and Simchat Torah (sundown October 3–sundown October 4).

After the reflection and introspection of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, these holidays turn our attention toward what comes next. They give us an opportunity to game plan and strategize for the year ahead — and the traditions of each holiday offer their own wisdom for how to do it. Together, they give us a way to think about how we want to move forward.

Sukkot – Strength in Community

At the center of Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, is the sukkah — a temporary, fragile structure that reminds us that life can be uncertain and that things can change in an instant. We may not be able to control that uncertainty, but Sukkot reminds us that we can choose how we meet it: by filling our sukkah, and our lives, with family, friends, and community. We are commanded to welcome guests into the sukkah, creating a space surrounded by connection, joy, and the people who give us strength.

The first part of our game plan: We cannot always control what lies ahead, but we can choose who we surround ourselves with and build communities that give us strength, connection, and joy.

Shemini Atzeret – An Extra Day

Shemini Atzeret means “the 8th Day of Assembly.” After seven days of Sukkot, we are given one more day to gather before moving forward. That extra day reminds us that sometimes we need more time — time to linger, gather, reflect, and take stock before stepping into what comes next.

The next step: Give yourself the extra time to consider where you are, what you need, and what you want to carry with you.

Simchat Torah – New Eyes, New Lessons

Simchat Torah, “Rejoicing in the Torah,” marks the completion — and immediate restart — of the annual Torah reading cycle. We begin again because we never return to the text as the same people. The experiences we carry with us change what we notice, how we understand familiar stories, and the connections and lessons we are able to draw from them.

The final step: Beginning again gives us the chance to see familiar lessons differently, gain new wisdom, and use what we’ve learned to shape what comes next.

Together, these three holidays give us a game plan for the year ahead:

Surround yourself with community. Give yourself extra time. Learn with new eyes and a fresh perspective.

We cannot control everything that lies ahead. But we can choose how we meet it — together, with intention, and ready to discover what comes next.

Chag Sameach! Happy Holidays!