Siman 669

In the Diaspora, where they observe two days of Yom Tov, on the ninth night they recite Kiddush and say the blessing of Shehecheyanu. On the following day, they take out three Sifrei Torah; they read in one from "Vezot HaBerakhah" until the end of the Torah, and in the second from "Bereishit" until "asher bara Elokim la'asot," for the reason that was explained in the previous siman. In the third, the Maftir reads as he did yesterday. The Haftarah is "Vayehi acharei mot Moshe." In a place where they have only two Sifrei Torah, they read in the first "Vezot HaBerakhah," and in the second "Bereishit," and they return and take the first for Maftir. However, one should not read two matters in one Sefer Torah in sequence. Such is the law in every place where three Sifrei Torah are required and they have only two Sifrei Torah.

And we call this day "Simchat Torah," because we rejoice and make a feast upon the completion of the Torah. And in Ashkenaz, the custom developed that the one who finishes and the one who begins vow donations, and they invite others to make a feast. And the custom developed to increase the number of those called to the Sefer Torah, and we read one parashah several times. And there is no concern regarding this matter on this day, since everyone has the custom to go up to the Torah on this day. And even the youths go up to the Torah, and they read with them "HaMalach HaGoel." And our teacher, the Rema, wrote that the custom developed to finish even with a minor who goes up; even though some say that specifically a Torah scholar must finish, in this time when the chazzan reads—there is no concern. Thus far his words. And nowadays we do not allow a minor to finish, and we sell this for money to whoever bids the most. And also, the custom developed that two go up together and recite the blessings, and even though it is not proper—nevertheless, because of the joy of its completion, they do so. And also at night, the custom developed to read for the sake of vows and donations, and there is no foundation for this. Therefore, the custom in several places is not to read for more than three men, and so we practice.

And they also followed the custom to say verses during Arvit and Shacharit: "You have been shown," etc. And they take out all the Sifrei Torah that are in the sanctuary, and they circle the bimah seven times, and they say songs, praises, and hymns, and they dance in honor of the Torah. And even though one may not dance on Yom Tov, as I wrote in siman 339 – for the honor of the Torah it is permitted. And they do not ascend to the duchen, because they are accustomed to drinking wine and brandy after the reading of the Sefer Torah. And they should be careful not to burn incense or ignite them to make a sound for joy. And there are those who do not fall on their faces until after Rosh Chodesh Marheshvan. With the help of Heaven, the laws of lulav are completed.