The festival of Shmini Atseret which begins this evening is described only briefly in the Torah in the context of the Israelite sacred calendar. In the Book of Vayikra/Leviticus we read:
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Say to the Israelite people: On the fifteenth
day of this seventh month there shall be the Feast of Booths to the Lord, [to
last] seven days. The first day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at
your occupations; seven days you shall bring gifts to the LORD. On the eighth
day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring a gift to the LORD; it is an
Atseret: you shall not work at your occupation. (23:33-36)
Notably absent here and in parallel texts in the Torah regarding the Israelite festival calendar and related observances is the reason for the celebration. This prompts our ancient sages to explain the why of this holiday. The great medieval French biblical commentator, Rashi in discussing our verses sees the word Atseret as being from the Hebrew root “atsor” and writes:
It is an Atseret: I stopped you with me. Like a ruler that invited their subjects to
a feast for a certain number of days. When it was time for them to depart the
ruler says: My children, please stay with me for one more day, this parting is
difficult for me.
Almost a century and a half later, another French commentator, Rabbi Hezekiah ben Manoah, known as the Chizkuni, expanded on Rashi’s statement with the following parable.
A parable to a ruler whose children came to greet them. At the end of their first
visit the ruler asked: “When will you return to me?” They replied: “In fifty days.”
They departed in peace.
As their second visit was ending, the ruler asked: “When will you return to me?”
They replied: “In four months.” They departed in peace.
As their third visit drew to a close they told the ruler that they could not return
for seven months. The ruler said to them: “If that is so, please stay with me one
more day so I can be satisfied in seeing you as it will be so long until next
time.”
Therefore, there is no Atseret for Israel after Pesach because they will return
for Shavuot. And none after Shavuot as they will return for Sukkot, but after
Sukkot when they will not return until Pesach (on account of the rains), the Holy
Blessed One stops them for one day.
Given the metaphors about GOD presented in the Machzor for the High Holy Days, the rabbis here depict a very different image of GOD, one that emphasizes the paternal aspect of GOD while still preserving the monarchic imagery. God is reluctant to let His children go away and eager to have them tarry especially given the extended period until their next reunion. As we bring the fall holiday season to a conclusion, our teachers seek to change our perception of our relationship with GOD and challenge us to explore how we will maintain and even strengthen our relationship until our next visit.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameyach –
Rabbi David M. Eligberg
A Musical Moment for Simchat Torah
Hakafot Shniyot with the Nigunim Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zON9r6x1bLk
One of my most enduring memories of the year I lived in Israel was the celebration of Hakafot Shniyot on the evening following the conclusion of the festival. Held in Liberty Bell Park in Jerusalem, this festive event brought together a wide cross-section of Israelis to sing, dance, and rejoice together, a remarkable moment of unity and community. This video is from last year’s celebration.
Torah Tziva Lanu Moshe – Moshe Yess
A familiar and popular song for Hakafot on Simchat Torah with a Klezmer sound and an Askenazic lilt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjPJLBfAXMs
Torah tziva Lanu Moshe morasha Kehillat Ya’akov
Moses charged us with the Teaching as the heritage of the congregation of Jacob. (D’varim/Deuteronomy 33:4)
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