Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah In the Synagogue Geshem. The Musaph Service of Shemini Atzeret includes a prayer for rain, this being the season when people in Israel look forward to the coming rain, which is essential for a fruitful year. The prayer in the Diaspora may be regarded as a mark of unity with the land of Israel. Simchat Torah. Simchat Torah marks the completion of the one-year cycle of the reading of the Law. But since Torah reading should be continuous, a second Scroll is opened; and as soon as the final portion of the Law is read, the reading the first part of Genesis commences a new cycle. Hakafot - "Processions". To celebrate the new cycle, on the eve and on the morning of Simchat Torah congregants participate in processions while singing and dancing with the scrolls of the Law. Kol Hane'arim - [lit.] "All the Boys" Children are encouraged to take part in these processions. Exceptionally, boys under Bar Mitzvah age are also called up to the reading desk. After an adult has recited the blessing on their behalf, a portion of the Law is read for them while a large tallit is held over them like a canopy. Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit. A special ceremony attends the reading of the last and first sections of the Torah scroll: The persons who are honored by being called up are designated respectively, "Bridegroom of the Torah" and "Bridegroom of the Bereishit" [first Torah portion]).