The Almost Forgotten Chag

In most years, as we reach this point of the calendar, I have focused a holiday d'var on Simchat Torah, the culmination of the holiday season that began (it now seems so long ago!) with Rosh Hashanah. This year, I wanted to focus on the day after Sukkot and the day before Simchat Torah (at least for traditional congregations: the Reform Movement celebrates Sh'mini Atzeret on the same day as Simchat Torah).

Sh'mini Atzeret is among the least observed of our holidays, coming as it does after the solemnity of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, after the joy of Sukkot, and just prior to the gala celebrations of Simchat Torah. As a festival day, it has two special characteristics: we recite Yizkor (the memorial service) and the liturgy includes a special prayer for rain ("Geshem"), of which we will be reminded in the Amidah prayer until next Passover. To most of us, neither liturgical experience is a real cause for celebration, even though our liturgy insists that Sh’mini Atzeret is a festival of “our gladness” (simchateinu), just as is Sukkot.

One meaning of “Atzeret” is “Assembly," from the Hebrew root meaning to gather together or store. In a more mystical interpretation, the rabbis considered "Atzeret" as coming from a root meaning stopping or delaying. As a midrash explains, God has stopped us from departing from His Presence, like a king who had invited his children to a banquet lasting many days. When the lengthy celebration finally ends, the king says “My children! I beg of you, delay your departure by one more day. It is difficult for me to take leave of you.”'

This midrash implies that we have been in God’s Presence since Rosh Hashanah, asking for forgiveness. On Yom Kippur, we sought atonement, and on Sukkot we offered thanks for His bounty. Sh’mini Atzeret, say the sages, suggests that God has been listening, and that this holiday is an expression of God’s reluctance to our taking leave of His Presence. It implies that God will remain accessible to us throughout the year.

May we all be blessed with the understanding that “God is near to all who call upon Him.” Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.