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The Cantor's Voice October 2007 Shemini Atzeret is, for many of us, the most unfamiliar festival of the Jewish calendar year (it falls this year on Thursday, October 4). I believe this is so for several reasons, the most compelling being that the festival has no concrete expression. No special foods or particular mitzvot associated with it. The source for Shemini Atzeret is found in Numbers, 29:35: The eighth day shall be one of assembly for you. It is a day which is reserved exclusively for Israel, when God showers the nation of Israel with a great oupouring of love, bonding us to God as the festival of Sukkot departs. In Temple times, 70 bulls were offered on the Altar during each of the days of Sukkot. On Shemini Atzeret, however, only one bull was offered, representing the Jewish people. The days leading up to Shemini Atzeret are filled with mitzvot: Shofar, special foods, fasting, building and dwelling in the Sukkah, etc. On Shemini Atzeret, we celebrate together with God without using any intermediary. In a sense, it is a pure holiday, devoid of any holiday "trappings," but the day itself. Yizkor is recited on Shemini Atzeret, and so is Geshem, a beautiful inclusion in the service asking God to bring rain to the Land of Israel. On Shemini Atzeret, we cling to the end of the holiday season, in a sense asking that this beautiful time of the year not end. Alas, it does end, and our regular work and duties return. But the taste of the holiday, thanks to Shemini Atzeret, last for a little while longer. Chag Sameach. Keith Miller Hazzan Director of Education |
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