Last but not least, in the fall season, Sukkot runs into Shemini Atzeret. Shemini Atzeret is
the eighth, the day after 7-day Sukkot and the day on which everything STOPS. It is
that which is beyond 7. We are bound by the number 7 (7 days of creation and days
in a week)… 8 is beyond and a taste of eternity.
Shemini Atzeret is its
own holiday, yet not quite. It is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew
month of Tishrei in the Land of Israel, and on the 22nd or 23rd outside the
Land. It has no inherent mitzvot (commandment).
Maybe so, but probably
not Sukkot. There is no biblical reference or description for Shemini Atzeret
besides the commandment to set it apart as holy. It is connected to the 7 days
of Sukkot, and yet stands apart as a day unto itself. The word Atzeret comes
from Atzar, meaning refrain/restrain/hold back.
In both Leviticus and
Numbers, God commands the eighth (shemini) day to be a "sacred
occasion" and an atzeret, generally translated as "solemn
gathering." Lack of verbal clarity is likely the reason why rabbinic sages
seemed to struggle with the precise meaning of the holiday. Observant Jews do
not work or travel on this "holy day" "My Jewish
Learning.com."
My favorite description
of the holy day is from "Jewish Virtual Library"..."Shemini Atzeret
literally means 'the assembly of the eighth (day).' Rabbinic literature
explains the holiday this way: 'G-d is like a host, who invites us as
visitors for a limited time, but when the time comes for us to leave, He has
enjoyed himself so much that He asks us to stay another day.' "
On the first day [of Sukkot] shall be a solemn rest,
and on the eighth
day shall be a solemn rest.
Leviticus 23:35
On the eighth day you
shall have a solemn assembly.
You shall do no ordinary work...
Numbers 29:35-38
No comments:
Post a Comment