Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah

The 22nd day of Tishri, the 8th day of Succot (the 23rd of Tishri outside Israel) is the holiday known as Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing of the Law"). On that day, the annual reading of the Torah is completed and the cycle begins anew and a prayer for rain is recited. In honor of concluding the reading of the Torah, the Torah scrolls are taken out of the Ark and held by congregants while they circle the Synagogue. The person called to Torah for the final reading is referred to as "Bridegroom of the Torah" while the one called to the Torah for the first leading is known as the "Bridegroom of Genesis". The bride, of course, is the Torah.

Obverse: Two Torah scrolls, one opened to the final reading of the year, the other opened to the first reading from Genesis. Overlying the scrolls, the Hebrew words: "before all Israel". Along the circumference above, "SIMCHAT TORAH" in Hebrew and Latin letters.

Reverse: A congregant dancing with a Torah scroll in his hands. To the left, the Ark with Torah scrolls in it, below the Hebrew words "Your Torah is my delight". Below, along the circumference, congregants dancing

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left and serial number. Bronze/tombac medal - "BRONZE" in Hebrew and English; Silver medal - "SILVER 935" in Hebrew and English; gold medal - milled.

Designer: Obverse - Leah Marmurstein. Reverse - Avraham Patt.