Shemini Atzeret is celebrated on the eighth
day after the seven-day celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
In Israel, the celebrations of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are
combined into one single day on Tishri 22. In the Diaspora, Shemini
Atzeret and Simchat Torah are separated, with Shemini Atzeret being
celebrated on the eighth day and ninth day (Tishri 22 & 23) and Simchat Torah on the
ninth day (Tishri 23).
Shemini means the eighth. The number eight
symbolizes perfection. In the case of the covenant of circumcision,
the circumcision is performed on the eighth day to complete and
instill perfection in man. Shemini Atzeret is the eighth day, namely
the day after seven days. Seven, being a perfect number in the
Bible, signifies a complete unit of time as each week ends with the
seventh day called the Shabbat (Sabbath). Thus, the eighth day is
the day after time. It is a time beyond time. It is not just the
promise of full redemption, but the actual moment of its
fulfillment. God said, "Remain with Me (Atzeret) an extra day (a
time beyond time)."
Atzeret means to tarry or hold back. God is
asking all who made a pilgrimage for Sukkot to tarry with Him one
additional day. It is for the purpose of bringing man to his state
of completion. Thus, the name Shemini Atzeret means the eighth day
of assembly, which is the additional day that brings the seven-day
celebration of Sukkot to its state of perfection.
Though the celebration of Shemini Atzeret
brings closure and perfection to Sukkot, it is celebrated as a
separate holiday. The name Atzeret is mostly used in the Talmud to
refer to the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot).
Just like Shavuot (a one-day Feast) is the
conclusion to Passover (a seven-day Feast), so Shemini Atzeret (a
one-day Feast) is the conclusion to Sukkot (a seven-day Feast).
Shavuot is seen as the completion of Feast of Passover (Pesach).
Passover commemorates the Exodus,
representing the physical birth of the nation of Israel. Pentecost
commemorates the receiving of the Torah, representing the spiritual
birth of Israel. Similarly, the Feast of Tabernacles has physical
tents where the people of God dwell with God, and Shemini Atzeret is
the spiritual dwelling where God dwells within the hearts of man.
When all the physical is being removed, the only important thing
that really matters and remains is our relationship with God.
As Pentecost is seven weeks after Passover,
Shemini Atzeret should likewise be the same – seven weeks after
Tabernacles. But God has great mercy upon His people. As Passover
and Pentecost are in springtime, it is pleasant to travel to
Jerusalem for the celebration of both Feasts. But seven weeks after
Tabernacles will be cold and rainy season in Israel and travel then will not
be pleasant. Therefore, God allowed the closure of Tabernacles,
Shemini Atzeret, to be celebrated immediately thereafter. Seven days
and not seven weeks after Tabernacles.
Further evidence that Shemini Atzeret is
the closure of Sukkot is provided by the bullock sacrifices offered
on the Feast of Tabernacles. Over the course of the seven days of
Sukkot, seventy bulls are brought, beginning with thirteen on the
first day of the Feast and ending with seven on the last (Numbers
29:12-40):
|
Day
|
Bulls
|
Numbers
|
1
|
13
|
29:12-13
|
2
|
12
|
29:17
|
3
|
11
|
29:20
|
4
|
10
|
29:23
|
5
|
9
|
29:26
|
6
|
8
|
29:29
|
7
|
7
|
29:32
|
Total
|
70 oxen
| | | | | | | | |
These seventy oxen corresponded to the
seventy original nations of the world who descended from the sons of
Noah. They are the ancestors of all the nations existent today.
Israel brought these sacrifices as an atonement for the nations of
the world and in prayer for their well being as well as for
universal peace and harmony between them.
God had world missions and world
evangelization in His heart as He laid the plans for Sukkot. One
rabbi said, "If the nations of the world had known the value of the
Temple for them, they would have surrounded it with fortresses in
order to protect it. For it was greater value for them than for
Israel."
After the celebration of Sukkot, on the day
of Shemini Atzeret, God says to His people, "All the guests have
gone home now. Stay with me yet another day, and we will celebrate
together, just you and I." Sweet communion. Bride and bridegroom.
Husband and wife. Completion.
Please also read:
Simchat Torah