Simhat Torah, a day immersed in minhag (customs), has evolved over time from a Talmudic yom tov sheni of Shemini Atzeret into a festivity celebrating the completion of the Torah reading cycle.

Rabbi Shai Held's two-volume collection "The Heart of Torah, Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion" delves into the importance of the Torah reading cycle and the moral lessons found within the text.

Simchat Torah, a holiday celebrating the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle, has grown in popularity over the centuries despite not being mentioned in the Bible or Talmud.

Shemini Atzeret, following Sukkot, marks the beginning of praying for rain, while Simchat Torah celebrates the conclusion and restarting of the Torah reading cycle with joyous festivities.