Outside Israel, an observance known as Simchat Torah, or the Joy of the Torah, is celebrated on the Second day of Shemini Atzeret. Within Israel,   Simchat Torah is celebrated with Shemini Atzeret on the first day.

Prior to Shemini Atzeret, during Sukkot, all meals were eaten in sukkah's or booths covered with palm leaves or other plant material. Males of the family sleept in the sukkah, On Shemini Atzeret, however, people leave their sukkah and eat their meals inside the house. Outside of Israel, many eat in the sukkah without making the blessing but the sukkah is not used on Simchat Torah.