The festival of Sukkot lasts for a week. It is a time for enjoying the fruits of the harvest and inviting guests ino the sukkah. Sukkot ends with a one day festival called Simchat Torah.

Every week in synogogue, a part of the Torah is read out. On the day when the last part is read, the first part is also read to show that the Torah doesn't really have an ending. This day is Simchat Torah which means 'rejoice in the Torah'.

Before the readings, all the Torah scrolls are taken out of their special box and are carried around the synagogue seven times. People dance and sing and clap their hands in great joy. They try to touch the scrolls as they pass. Children blow whistles and wave flags, which they have often made themselves. In some synagogues, children carry their own little scrolls.

In Israel, where many Jews live, scrolls of all sizes are paraded through the streets, with much singing and dancing.

After the readings, the adults throw handfuls of sweets or raisins and nuts for the children to catch. This is great fun, but it also teaches Jewish children that the Torah is full of sweetness.