“Stop one more day with me.”
— Midrash Rabbah, Numbers 21:24
1. Denomination, date and location on the calendar
- The Hebrew term שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת literally translates as the “eighth day of assembly” or “eighth (day) of closure”.
- Takes place immediately after the festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). According to the Hebrew calendar, Sukkot begins on the 15th of Tishrei, and Shemini Atzeret is observed on the 22nd of Tishrei in the Land of Israel. In the Diaspora it is observed two days (22nd and 23rd of Tishrei), the second day typically corresponds to Simchat Torah.
- In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated together in a single day. On the outside of Israel (Diaspora), we distinguish two days with separate functions.
- Although it is directly after Sukkot, many authors insist that Shemini Atzeret is a holiday independent of Sukkot — not merely its eighth day extended.
2. Biblical and historical
Biblical basis
- In the biblical text appears in the books of Leviticus and Numbers: for example, in Leviticus 23:36 Numbers 29:35 mentions, “and the eighth day shall be a convention is holy for you.”
- The term “עצרת” (‘atzeret’) means “solemn meeting”, “detention” or “an” (“to hold back, to gather”).
Interpretation rabbinic, historical and liturgical
- According to rabbinic tradition, Sukkot represents a festivity universal (offers for the 70 nations, etc). In contrast, Shemini Atzeret would be a special moment of communion between God and the people of Israel, “one more day” that God invites us to stay together.
- It was also marked in the Temple of Jerusalem with special offerings: during the 7 days of Sukkot are offered many sacrifices (tradition: 70 bulls for the 70 nations) and on the eighth day only one for Israel.
- After the destruction of the Temple, the ritual practices have changed: no longer are made the offerings, but the day became a Yom Tov (festival) with their own religious rituals.
“On the eighth day does not belong to the world, but to the heart of the Creator.”
— Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
3. Themes and symbolism
- Number eight: The “eighth day” (shemini) is interpreted as outside of the natural cycle (seven days = full cycle), representing something new, transcendent or perpetual.
- Atzeret (“income”): The idea that after the intense days of Sukkot, in which participated the “nations ' ” God holds (atzeret), the people of Israel for a day of communion.
- Seasonal change / agricultural: In the Land of Israel marks the beginning of the rainy season. For this reason, we introduce in the liturgy, the prayer for rain (תפילת גשם – Tefilat Geshem).
- Transition to the reading of the Torah: In the Diaspora, the next day (Simchat Torah) culminates in the annual cycle of Torah reading and a new one begins. Shemini Atzeret acts as a closing/conclusion of the holiday of Sukkot and a prelude to the joy of the Torah.
4. Main laws, practices and customs
Status festive
- It is a Yom Tov: holiday with restrictions similar to Shabbat in terms of work (melajá) and power of fire, etc, according to the jewish tradition rabbinic.
- In the Diaspora, as many festivities bible, it is celebrated for two days; in Israel, during a day.
Liturgical practices key
- In the prayer of Musaf (additional service) is incorporated in the prayer of “השיב הרוח ומריד הגשם” (“he who makes the wind blow and sendeth rain”), marking the beginning of asking for rain in Israel.
- Reciting the service of Yizkor (prayers memorial for the deceased) in many congregations in Shemini Atzeret.
- In the reading of the Torah: a special reading to the end of Deuteronomy, and then, on Simchat Torah, the beginning of Genesis.
Practices related to Sukkot
- Although Shemini Atzeret immediately follows Sukkot, many of the mitzvot specific Sukkot no apply: for example, do not recite the blessing when they enter in the sukká, not waving the four species (lulav and etrog) and Sukkot.
- In the Diaspora, some people still eat in the sukká in Shemini Atzeret (without reciting the blessing), as a reminiscence of the link with Sukkot.
Customs of joy
- In many communities (especially in Simchat Torah) are made hakafot: processions or convolutions with the Torah scrolls, songs, dances, community celebration.
- On Shemini Atzeret combines the solemnity with joy: celebrate the special meeting with God, we give thanks for the harvest ended, but also anticipates the feast of the Torah.
“Shemini Atzeret is the farewell of the holidays, when the soul does not want to return to the ordinary world.”
— Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, “The Book of Holidays”
5. Geographical differences and tradition
- Land of Israel: a day of festivity; Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined.
- Diaspora (outside Israel): two days. First day: Shemini Atzeret; second day: Simchat Torah, with distinct liturgical practices and community.
- The customs may vary between currents of orthodox, conservative and reform: some communities reformers also combine in a single day.
6. Actual meaning and relevance
- Shemini Atzeret serves as a closure to the intense season autumn holiday (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot) in judaism, a time of reflection, closure, and transition.
- Mark is also a point liturgical-temporal climate change/agriculture in Israel: the formal start of the water (rain) in the prayer, which reflects the dependence on agriculture of the country.
- Socially, the festival strengthens the sense of jewish community, continuity of tradition, and the link between the sacred and the everyday: end of a cycle (Sukkot) and prepare for another (Torah).
- In a contemporary world, is maintained as an occasion for the congregation, the liturgical celebration, the study of the Torah and the spiritual regeneration.
“There is an eighth day of Sukkot, but a new day, a close encounter between God and Israel.”
— Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 55b
7. Challenges interpretive and pointers
- Although it appears in the Torah, their precise role is in the mysterious part: is it simply the eighth day of Sukkot, or the feast different? The commentators discussed.
- In many texts is emphasized that you should not apply the rituals of Sukkot (the four species) in Shemini Atzeret, which reinforces the independence of the day.
- The integration with Simchat Torah complicates their perception for those who are not familiar with the jewish liturgical calendar: some see it as the “closure” of Sukkot, the other as a prelude to the joy of the Torah, others as both.
Summary
- Name: Shemini Atzeret = “eighth day of assembly/retention.”
- Date: 22 Tishrei in Israel; 22-23 Tishrei in the diaspora.
- Nature: Feast independent bible, though located immediately after Sukkot, which mark the transition.
- Central themes: the closing, special communion with God, the beginning of the rainy season, a prelude to the joy of the Torah.
- Main practices: day of Yom Tov (without work), prayer for rain, Yizkor, in the diaspora to eat in sukká without blessing on Simchat Torah reading end/renewal of the Torah, dances with rolls of Torah.
- Distinctions territory: Israel (a day) vs Diaspora (two days).
- Current importance: identity, tradition, transition liturgical-agricultural, communal celebration.
“The silence of the eighth day is more sacred than the song of the seven earlier.”
— Rabbi Najmán of Breslov
