Thought for the Week:

When Israel studies the Torah, the devil accuses them, saying, "Though they have begun to study it, they will not finish it." On the day that they finish Deuteronomy, he says, "Though they have finished it, they will not study it again." To prove him a liar, we begin reading Genesis as soon as we have finished Deuteronomy.

Commentary:

On the same day that we finish reading the Torah, we begin it again. No sooner do we conclude the book of Deuteronomy then the scroll is rewound and we begin reading of the book of Genesis. The celebration which accompanies the ending and beginning of the Torah reading is called Simchat Torah, "The Rejoicing of the Torah." It is traditionally done on the Eighth Day (Shemini Atzeret) after the seven days of the festival Sukkot. (In the Diaspora where festival Sabbaths are doubled, the ninth day.)

Why is it called the "Rejoicing of the Torah" as the Torah it…