Hakafot, ritual dance from Israel: what it is and how it is danced

Hakafot are festive processions in Jewish tradition where congregants circle the synagogue's platform, often while dancing and holding Torah scrolls. Most commonly performed on Simchat Torah and during Sukkot, these processions involve singing, movement, and participation by all ages, symbolizing unity and the celebration of the Torah.

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Congregants circle the synagogue platform carrying Torah scrolls
Most common on Simchat Torah and Sukkot
Children participate with flags and small Torah scrolls
Second Hakafot are public street processions in Israel
Some groups add a special round in memory of Holocaust victims

What is Hakafot?

Hakafot are processions in which people walk or dance in circles around the synagogue’s platform, especially during Simchat Torah and Sukkot. Participants carry Torah scrolls, sing, and sometimes wave flags or the four species (palm, myrtle, willow, and citron). The whole community joins in, including children, who may carry small Torah scrolls or decorated flags. The mood is joyful, with singing and dancing filling the synagogue.

Where does Hakafot come from?

The custom of hakafot, as practiced today, is traced to Safed in the 16th century, though circling rituals appear in earlier Jewish texts. The practice became widespread in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, especially on Simchat Torah. Some Western European communities resisted or did not adopt hakafot until later. The custom of Second Hakafot, involving public dancing with Torah scrolls after the holiday, began in Israel and spread to other countries and communities.

How is Hakafot danced?

During hakafot, participants form a procession that circles the bimah (platform) in the synagogue. The Torah scrolls are carried at the front, and the group moves together, singing and sometimes dancing. On Simchat Torah, the procession may circle seven times or more. Children are often lifted onto adults’ shoulders, and everyone is encouraged to join, creating a lively, moving circle.

Hakafot, drawn

The dancers A sketch of the kind of dance, not of one performance.

Procession Pairs moving along a route.

Circle A ring facing in, moving round the centre.

Group An ensemble in staggered rows, facing the front.

The music of Hakafot

Hakafot are accompanied by communal singing of prayers and piyyutim (liturgical poems), especially the Hoshanot on Sukkot and special songs on Simchat Torah. The shofar, a ram’s horn, may be sounded, especially in reference to the biblical story of Jericho. In some communities, musical instruments are played during Second Hakafot after the holiday.

Costume and what is carried

There is no special costume for hakafot, but participants carry Torah scrolls, sometimes wrapped in decorative covers. Children may hold flags, sometimes with apples and candles attached. During special hakafot, a talit (prayer shawl) may be used to cover the Torah scrolls. Everyday synagogue attire is worn.

When and where Hakafot is danced

Hakafot are performed during Sukkot, especially on Hoshana Raba, and on Simchat Torah at the end of the festival season. In Israel, Second Hakafot take place after the holiday, often in public spaces. The whole community, including children, participates. The tradition is passed down in families and taught in synagogues and community centers.

Styles of Hakafot

Customs vary by community. Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews may differ on the timing of hakafot during Sukkot. Second Hakafot, with music and street processions, are especially common in Israel. Some Hasidic groups add a special hakafa to remember Holocaust victims. In some Western European communities, hakafot were once not practiced.

What Hakafot means

Hakafot express communal unity and joy in the Torah. The processions are a central part of Simchat Torah celebrations and are seen as a way to reaffirm connection to Jewish tradition. In Israel, Second Hakafot have become a public event, helping to connect secular and religious communities. Some rituals remember those lost in the Holocaust.

Days Hakafot is danced for

Simchat Torah

Questions people ask about Hakafot

Where does hakafot come from?

Hakafot, as practiced today, began in Safed in the 16th century, though earlier forms of ritual circling exist in Jewish tradition. The custom spread from Israel to Jewish communities worldwide.

When are hakafot performed?

Hakafot are performed during Sukkot, especially on Hoshana Raba, and on Simchat Torah. In Israel, Second Hakafot take place after Simchat Torah, often as public celebrations.

Who takes part in hakafot?

Anyone in the community can participate in hakafot, including men, women, and children. Children often carry flags or small Torah scrolls and may be lifted onto adults’ shoulders during the procession.

What happens during hakafot?

Participants walk or dance in circles around the synagogue’s platform, carrying Torah scrolls, singing, and sometimes waving flags or the four species. The atmosphere is festive and communal.

Are musical instruments used in hakafot?

During Second Hakafot, after the holiday, musical instruments may be played, especially in Israel. Otherwise, the main accompaniment is singing and, at times, the sounding of the shofar.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hakafot", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Ghungroo rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it describes the dance in outline: it is not a lesson. Traditions differ from one teacher, village or family to the next. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Hakafot