בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם כׇּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ׃

On the eighth day you shall hold an atzeret;
you shall not work at your occupations. (Bamidbar 29:35)

After the seven day Sukkot holiday, we have the holiday of Shemini Atzeret. “Shemini” means eight. Rashi explains the word atzeret means to hold back and in this context it means to hold back from leaving. After Sukkot is over it’s time to end the holidays and return to our daily routine. Hashem says, “Don’t leave yet. Stay with me for one more day.”

Rashi cites the Midrash that frames this in the following way. During the seven days of Sukkot the Jewish people offered sacrifices on behalf of the nations of the world. Now that this task has been completed they are ready to go home. “Please,” says Hashem, “make a small banquet for Me, so that I may have some pleasure from you exclusively.”

What is the purpose of bringing these sacrifices for the nations of the world? Rav Moshe Feinstein, of blessed memory, explained that Hashem created the world in a way that we all need each other. Individuals as well as countries need one another for many things. The best way for countries to benefit from each other is when each country is experiencing peace from within and from without.

Unfortunately, this can be upended by selfish individuals who wage wars and dominate people for their personal benefit.

Therefore sacrifices are brought on behalf of the nations of the world so that Hashem should bless them with prosperity and tranquility. In that way the Jewish people and the rest of the world will reap the benefits of an interdependent world.

But after this is done Hashem tells the Jewish people to remain one more day and have a small feast for just the two of them. This is to instill in us a very important lesson. The small feast between Hashem and the Jewish people represents that less materialism (represented by the single cow brought on Shemini Atzeret in contrast to the other days of Sukkot when several cows were offered each day) and the time spent with Hashem through the study of Torah and performance of mitzvos is the true source of peace.

If we live by these ideals and promote peace within ourselves we will be a light unto the nations and we’ll inspire them to live peacefully.

Thus, Shemini Atzeret carries a vital lesson for a world in turmoil. Less materialism and strengthening our relationship with Hashem is the key to peace.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Yitzchak