On Simchat Torah, people mainly say blessings, verses of joy, and simple wishes that match the spirit of “rejoicing in the Torah.”

1. Simple things you can say

If you’re just talking to friends or family, you don’t need special “insider” phrases; warm, joyful wishes are perfect.

You can say things like:

  • “Chag Sameach!” (Happy holiday!)
  • “Chag Simchat Torah Sameach!” (Happy Simchat Torah!)
  • “Moadim L’simcha!” (Times of joy!)
  • “Wishing you joy in the Torah and in life this year.”
  • “May we keep dancing with the Torah in happiness and peace.”

To kids, many people add something like:

  • “May you grow up to love Torah and do good deeds.”

2. During synagogue dancing (hakafot)

In synagogue, a lot of the “talking” is actually singing and calling out short phrases while dancing with the Torah scrolls.

People commonly:

  • Sing joyful Hebrew songs about Torah, God, and joy.
  • Call out “Simchat Torah!” or “Ashreinu!” (“How fortunate we are!”).
  • Sing Torah-related verses like “Etz Chayim Hi” (“It is a tree of life…”) and other traditional melodies.
  • Encourage others with lines like “Come dance with the Torah!” or “Bring the kids in to dance!”

You don’t have to know all the words in advance; you can just join the circle and echo the chorus once you catch it.

3. What’s actually said in the service

The formal prayers and readings are fixed by the prayer book, but you might hear or say some specific things tied to the Torah readings.

Key elements include:

  • Blessings before and after the Torah reading, as on any day the Torah is read.
  • Reading the end of Deuteronomy and immediately beginning Genesis again, marking both an ending and a new start.
  • Special “honor” titles:
    • Chatan Torah – the person honored with the final aliyah at the end of Deuteronomy.
* **Chatan Bereishit** – the person honored with the first aliyah in Genesis.

When someone is called for these honors, the gabbai or officiant often announces their name and a flowery invitation, such as (translated idea, not exact text): “Rise and come in honor of completing/beginning the Torah.”

4. How to join in if you’re not sure what to say

If you’re new or unsure, the safest and most authentic approach is to lean into joy and blessing.

You can:

  1. Greet people you meet with “Chag Sameach” or “Chag Simchat Torah Sameach.”
  2. When a Torah scroll passes, quietly say something like “Thank you, God, for the Torah” or “May we always have the merit to learn.”
  3. When people get an aliyah, you can wish them “Mazal tov” or “Yasher koach” (well done/strength to you) afterward.
  4. If someone had the Chatan Torah or Chatan Bereishit honor, you can say “Mazal tov on your honor; may you always have joy in Torah.”

5. Mini “script” you can actually use

If you’re walking into a Simchat Torah event and want ready-made lines, here’s a simple flow you can adapt.

  • On arrival:
    • “Chag Simchat Torah Sameach! So good to be celebrating together.”
  • While dancing:
    • “Let’s dance for the Torah!”
    • “May we have a year full of Torah and joy.”
  • To kids:
    • “May you always dance with the Torah and be happy.”
  • To someone who got a big honor (like Chatan Torah/Bereishit):
    • “Mazal tov! What a beautiful honor—may you keep going from strength to strength.”

These kinds of phrases fit the mood everywhere from traditional synagogues to more informal community celebrations, and they match the core theme of Simchat Torah: public, overflowing joy in receiving and renewing the Torah each year.

TL;DR: Say “Chag Simchat Torah Sameach,” offer blessings about joy and Torah, join the singing and dancing, and use “Mazal tov” / “Yasher koach” to congratulate those honored with Torah readings.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.