…בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם

On the eighth day you shall hold an atzeret… (Bamidbar 29:35)

A Message

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 a continuum of the efforts for world peace. 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 more spending time with Hashem through the study of Torah and performance of mitzvos is the true source of peace for the world.

Thus, Shemini Atzeret carries a vital lesson for a world in turmoil. We can help the world by strengthening our relationship with Hashem.

A Halacha

We begin inserting משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם into the Shemoneh Esrei during Musaf on Shemini Atzeret. One may not do so until it is announced in the congregation that is praying together to do so. This creates an issue for someone who is praying at home. However, once this announcement takes place in the congregation the individual who has not heard the announcement may begin. Because of this, the Shulchan Aruch states that one who is davening at home should not recite Musaf before the congregation does.

Therefore, those praying at home this Shemini Atzeret should recite Musaf after 11:30 am. That way you can be sure that the announcement to begin reciting משיב הרוח ומוריד הגשם has been made in the Synagogue.

Shabbat Shalom & Chag Sameach!
Yitzchak