What's the Spiel? - Chol Hamoed Sukkot

Shemini Atzeret is perhaps one of the least understood holidays in the Jewish year. What is Shemini Atzeret exactly? If we look at its source in the Torah, we learn, “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 offerings by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the Lord; it is a solemn gathering: you shall not work at your occupations” (Vayikra 23:34-6).

There is much discussion in the Talmud concerning the nature of Shemini Atzeret. Is it the eighth day of Sukkot, or is it a festival in its own right? While the latter view prevails, we still must wonder about the essence of this day. After all, unlike Sukkot which is replete with symbols, rituals, laws and customs, Shemini Atzeret seems bare. So, what are we celebrating? What are we observing? To help answer this question, I would like to turn to the words of the Sefer HaChinuch, who teaches us, “And if you should ask: If Shemini Atzeret is such a joyful occasion for the Jewish people, why then do they not hold [the lulav] on that day? The explanation is that the eighth day is dedicated completely to God, just as our Sages related in the parable of the King who had invited his children to feast with him, and at the end asked them to remain with him just one more day, because parting from him was so painful. Therefore, it is called ‘Atzeret,’ (meaning, to hold back), and for this reason it requires no commemorative act” (Mitzvah 285).

Indeed, the essence of Shemini Atzeret is simply being able to stay a little while longer with God before we reenter our busy lives and busy schedules. Just as one does not need a fancy party to spend a little more time with a loved one, so too on Shemini Atzeret, God wishes to spend a little more time with us, alone, without any formality, external symbols or complicated rituals. Shemini Atzeret is that last, beautiful moment when we, as God’s people, are able to just be with our Parent Who desires one last moment to look at us, to hold us and bring us near, before we must depart. In this way, Shemini Atzeret, the least understood holiday, might just be the most important for our own spiritual lives, and our personal relationships with God.

So, this Shemini Atzeret, as we gather in shul, as we joyfully sing Hallel, as we share in each other’s fellowship and learning, let us take a moment or two to reflect on all the essence of what this most intimate day is really all about. Just as God desires one last time to be alone with us, let us reciprocate that love through soulful prayers and sincere rejoycing, showing our Parent that parting is not easy for us as well. May we all use this Shemini Atzeret as a time to focus on our relationships with God before we go back out into the world, and may we all come to realize just how special that relationship is to us, our community, the whole Jewish people.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services

at B'nai Abraham

We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.

Friday Night

Candle Lighting

No later than 6:51PM

Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat

6:55PM

Shabbat Morning

Shacharit

9:00 AM

Youth Service

10:30 AM

Shabbat Evening

Mincha

6:40 PM

Maariv/Havdalah

7:44 PM

Sunday (10/16) – Hoshanah Rabbah

Shacharit – 8:20AM

Candle Lighting – 6:40PM

Mincha/Maariv – 6:45PM

Monday (10/17) – Shemini Atzeret

Shacharit – 9:00AM

Yizkor – 10:45AM (Approximate)

Mincha – 6:30PM

Candle Lighting – After 7:33PM

Torah Trivia – 7:00PM

Maariv and Hakafot – 7:35PM

Tuesday (10/18) – Simchat Torah

Shacharit followed by Hakafot – 9:00AM

Mincha – 6:40PM

Maariv and Havdallah – 7:32PM

CTI Announcements

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