Is the greeting different after October 7?

The words are the same. The day now also holds the memory of 7 October 2023, which fell on Simchat Torah. Keep the greeting; do not force a speech unless you know the person.

Hebrew for Simchat Torah: Chag Sameach and Hakafot

The short answer

Simchat Torah is the night the Torah scrolls come off the ark and the room starts moving. The greeting is still chag sameach. The word you need for the dancing is hakafot.

שמחת תורה · Friday 2 October – Saturday 3 October 2026 (Israel: 2 October)
baba gives both genders and the Israeli phrasing, not the English calendar-card line Google Translate reaches for first.
A translator will not make you fluent. It will get the greeting right today.

By baba TeamLast updated: September 11, 2026

What do you say on Simchat Torah in Hebrew?

Happy holiday

חג שמח

Chag sameach

When. The day, and the night of hakafot.

Circuits with the Torah

הקפות

Hakafot

When. The seven dances. “Ba’im le-hakafot?” — are you coming to hakafot?

Joy of the Torah

שמחת תורה

Simchat Torah

When. The name of the day. Stress on the last syllable of each word, Israeli-style.

Do not say this

Not: Calling it “the last day of Sukkot” as a greeting

Say: Chag sameach — Simchat Torah

In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah fall on the same day. People still name Simchat Torah when they mean the dancing.

Frequently asked questions

What do you say on Simchat Torah in Hebrew?: Chag sameach. If you are asking about plans, ask about hakafot — that is the night’s event.
Is the greeting different after October 7?: The words are the same. The day now also holds the memory of 7 October 2023, which fell on Simchat Torah. Keep the greeting; do not force a speech unless you know the person.