Their poles and nets will be stored until the next Harvest Festival. At the same time, it allows for a Simchat Torah celebration unconstrained by festival work restrictions, since the festival is over in Israel according to Jewish law.[35]. [37] When Shemini Atzeret falls on the Shabbat, the Scroll of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet (קהלת, otherwise read in Ashkenazi synagogues on the Shabbat of Sukkot), is read on that day outside the Land of Israel. Outside the Land of Israel, this is further complicated by the additional day added to all Biblical holidays except Yom Kippur. Literally, Shemini Atzeret means “the eighth [day] of assembly.” The Torah designates this day as one of solemn assembly and prohibits labor. Psalm 27, which is recited in most communities twice daily starting at the beginning of Elul, continues to be recited on Shemini Atzeret outside the Land of Israel. In 2020, Shemini Atzeret begins before sundown on Oct. 9. Shemini Atzeret is observed in Orthodox communities with candle lighting in the evening, Kiddush (sanctification over wine) and two challah breads. Hence, seeing someone eating in a sukkah does not per se lead one to assume it is still ḥol hamoed. Shortly after midnight, prayers are made in the synagogue for more than ten hours. It is described as the eighth day, and thus part of Succot, but it is also designated by a name of its own, Atzeret. The blessing for the Sukkah is not recited (since it is not Sukkot). Therefore, the prevalent practice is to eat in the sukkah on Shemini Azeret outside the Land of Israel, but not to recite the berakhah for sitting in a sukkah, as reciting it would "impinge" on the unique status of Shemini Atzeret. Like atzarah,[8] atzeret denotes "day of assembly", from atzar = "to hold back" or "keep in"; hence, also the name atzeret given to the seventh day of Pesaḥ. [28] The second day observed outside Israel is called Simchat Torah (see next section). shemini atzèret; Ashkenazic pron. [12], Spiritually, Shemini Atzeret can also be seen to "guard the seven days of Sukkot". The celebration of Sukkot is characterized by the use of the sukkah (booth or tabernacle) and the Four Species (tree branches and fruit used in the celebration). The Torah reading (Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17) is the same as on the Final Day of Passover and Second Day of Shavuot. At the same time, by the rabbinic decree to add one day to all holidays outside the Land of Israel,[4] both Passover and Sukkot, although described in the Torah as seven-day holidays, are observed outside the Land of Israel for eight days. The prayer for rain, however, is very important in Israel, where winter rain nourishes the crops for the upcoming year. (1) Scriptural Reference: Leviticus 23:39. The king, enjoying their company so much and being so saddened by their departure, bids them to stay on an extra day. Sometimes Shemini Atzeret is translated as "the eighth (day) of retention." [40], The Land of Israel's agriculture depends heavily on rains that come only seasonally, so Jewish prayers for rain, such as Tefillat Geshem or Tikun Geshem (Rain Prayer) are prominent during the Land of Israel's rainy (winter) half of the year. See this link for exact times.. [23] Only two observances are specified for Shemini Atzeret. They are therefore muktzah; that is, one may not even move them on a holiday where they are not needed. or Wikipedia →, Torah Portion: This refers to the date of Shemini Atzeret relative to Sukkot; it falls on the eighth day. 10, § 6) and in the Talmud's tractate Pesahim (42b, 68b), signifying "the closing feast" of Passover. It is, some rabbis say, used to retain and apply any spiritual thing that is received during the month of Tishri (Rosh Hashana, the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur, etc.) In part, this shows solidarity with Jewish communities outside Israel, which are still celebrating Simchat Torah (on the second day of the festival). Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret: A Global Perspective. Two observances of Shemini Atzeret are mentioned in the Prophets and Writings portions of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). Compared to traumatic events that took place during the previous High Holiday seasons, and the horrible atrocities that would soon be unleashed, Tishrei 5670 (September-October 1909) was relatively quiet. [40] Other rabbis, such as the Vilna Gaon, ruled that one should sleep in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeret outside the Land of Israel. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in the United States. It is a separate—yet connected—holy day devoted to the spiritual aspects of the festival of Sukkot. [6] Rashi cites the parable of a king who invites his sons to dine with him for a number of days, but when the time comes for them to leave, he asks them to stay for another day, since it is difficult for him to part from them. Tou Bichvat dans les sources juives Dans la Bible hébraïque. Facebook; Twitter; email; Print; 1 shares; Flora Rosefsky. The first occurred at the time of the dedication of the First Temple by Solomon. I’m not sure how, or even if, we’ll honor Shemini Atzeret this year in my house. Read more from Judaism 101 → Toutes les dates des fêtes juives en 2021, 2022 et 2023 et plusieurs calendriers à télécharger ou imprimer au format PDF et Excel. The Five Books of Moses are his calendar, their 54 sections marking, ... And yet, an examination of the nature and significance of Shemini Atzeret reveals a close resemblance between it and the festival of Shavuos – indeed, it can be said to be its calendar twin and alter ego. [6], These religious celebrations conclude the process that had begun on the days of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, observed ten days after the start of Rosh Hashanah. SBL Hebrew Font [47] Accordingly, in at least some Karaite circles, this day is referred to by the name of Simchat Torah. It falls on the eighth day, immediately after Succot. Two others remain relevant to modern celebration of the holiday. S/he might then violate prohibitions of the yom tov of the eighth day. In Israel, many communities conduct Hakafot shniyot, or "Second hakafot", on the day after Shemini Atzeret. Others eat the evening meal of Shemini Atzeret indoors but the day meal in the sukkah. And it is as if we are reading these sacred words for the very first time. Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת - "the Eighth [day] of Assembly") is a Jewish holiday. On the Gregorian calendar, Shemini Atzeret comes in late September or early or middle October. One relates to the Temple service, and is not relevant to modern observance. For that reason, the rabbis ruled that one should not take the lulav and etrog on the eighth day, even outside the Land of Israel. Five days after the conclusion of Yom Kippur, Sukkot begins, regarded as the celebration of the anticipated Divine "good judgment" that was hopefully granted on the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah + the Ten Days of Repentance + Yom Kippur) and then Hoshana Rabbah + Shemini Atzeret + Simchat Torah culminate the process of open celebration and festivity with joyous prayers, festive meals, and hours of dancing holding the Torah scroll(s) at the center of attention during the hakafot in the synagogue.[22]. In the diaspora, a second day is added to all Jewish holidays except Yom Kippur, so Shemini Atzeret coincides with the eighth day of Sukkot everywhere except Israel. According to The Jewish Encyclopedia,[6] atzeret (or aẓeret) is the name given to this day in four different locations in the Hebrew Bible. [7] It is not mentioned in Deuteronomy 16, and is found only in those parts of the Bible known as the Priestly Code. Two Challah breads are used to commemorate the Sabbath in the wilderness. On October 14, 1973, more than 100,000 Jews took part in a post-Simchat Torah rally in New York city on behalf of refuseniks and Soviet Jewry. The two days of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are very precious. [30] By the 16th century CE, most of the features of the modern celebration of Simchat Torah were in place in some form. Our Sages have taught us that the 70 special bull sacrifices brought on Sukkot were for the benefit of the 70 nations of the world. Shemini Atzeret. Accordingly, the "eighth day of Sukkot" outside Israel coincides with the separate holiday of Shemini Atzeret. Many Hasidic groups have a tradition to recite the morning kiddush and then have refreshments (such as cake) in the sukkah, but to eat both the evening and morning main meals inside, notwithstanding the Talmudic ruling to the contrary. In 2016, Shemini Atzeret fell on the same day according to both calendars.[49]. Two Challah breads are used to commemorate the Sabbath in the wilderness. Shemini Atzeret IS a Sabbath but is NOT a High Holy Day!. There are many times when I say to myself or to family and friends, how I wish there could be an extra … Part of its duality as a holy day is that it is simultaneously considered to be both connected to Sukkot and also a separate festival in its own right.[3]. [48] [19], The day prior to Shemini Atzeret is the last day of Sukkot. It is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei in the Land of Israel,[1] and on the 22nd and 23rd outside the Land, usually coinciding with late September or early October. It’s true that my girls don’t have school, but I’d already planned to take them to visit their great-grandmothers in New York. Additionally, most people would prefer to sleep indoors at this point in the year due to the weather, so sleeping in the sukkah may impinge on one's own joy during the festival. The day (but not the name) is mentioned in the siddur of Rav Amram Gaon (9th century CE); the assignment of the first chapter of Joshua as the haftarah of the day is mentioned there. Thus, Shemini Atzeret is a full festival day (as though it were day seven yet entirely seperate), accompanied by meal, the kiddush, she-he-cheyanu, etc. Outside of Israel, it is two days long, on 22-23 Tishrei. How to Vote Before Shemini Atzeret All , Advocacy , Community / By Admin October 4, 2019 B’nai Brith Canada OTTAWA – B’nai Brith is reminding the Jewish community of its opportunities to vote ahead of Election Day, which falls on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret this year. 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