Q: Why do we call up so many people, all actually, on Simhat Torah?
A: The Talmud refers to only the final Torah reading of the year ,V’Zot HaBeracha, on the Festival of Simhat Torah. It remains silent on any other Simhat Torah observance. The final reading of the Text has a name: it is called Hatan Torah. This is an especial honor reserved for a worthy member of the congregation.
The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Law) states that in Ashkenazic commuitiies it was customary to call up many people to the Torah on this Festival- even to the point of repeating the same passages form Torah! From that time onward, the practice of calling up all members of a congregation to receive an aliya on Simhat Torah was enacted. Where practicable, people say the blessing over the Torah until all have participated.
The joy of Simhat Torah is so great (and restrictions so few) that we make the day even brighter by extending honors to all.
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