SHEMINI ATZERET & SIMCHAT TORAH

 

 

At the end of Succot, Hashem added a special day. It's called Shemini Atzeret, literally the "Eighth Day of Assembly". It is a day of great intimacy with our Creator, as He asks His Jewish children to remain with him for extra personal time together. (Talmud - Succot 55b). Even though it immediately follows the seven-day Succot festival and is often considered part of Succot, Shemini Atzeret is, in fact, a separate holiday. This means that the She'hechiyanu blessing is recited.

It is no coincidence that on Shemini Atzeret we also celebrate the completion of the yearly cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. This event is lovingly referred to as "Simchat Torah," literally "Rejoicing of the Torah." (Outside of Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated the day after Shemini Atzeret.)

Why are we accustomed to both finish and re-start the reading of the Torah on the same day? The Sages explain: "To show that the Torah is beloved to us like a new object and not like an old command which a person no longer treasures. Since it is brand new to us, we all run to greet it." We sing and dance for hours around the bima, carry the Sefer Torah , and express our joy at having the opportunity to come so close to Hashem.

 

HOLIDAYS