What is the Jewish festival of celebrating the Torah’s annual reading cycle called?

The Jewish festival of celebrating the Torah’s annual reading cycle is called Simchat Torah.

Simchat Torah means “Rejoicing of the Torah.” It marks the completion of the yearly public reading of the Five Books of Moses and the immediate beginning of the cycle again with Genesis. This pairing emphasizes that Torah study is continuous rather than finished permanently.

The holiday is celebrated with singing, dancing, and processions involving Torah scrolls. The final Torah portion, V’Zot HaBerachah, is read, followed by the opening verses of Genesis. The person honored with the final reading is often called the Hatan Torah, or “Bridegroom of the Torah,” while the person beginning Genesis may receive the Hatan Bereshit honor.

In Israel, Simchat Torah is observed together with Shemini Atzeret. In the traditional Diaspora calendar, it is generally observed on the second day of that festival.