What is the history of Shemini Atzeret ?

The history of Shemini Atzeret begins with its command by G-d to be celebrated as stated in the biblical book of Numbers (Numbers 29:35) and in the biblical book of Leviticus (Leviticus 23:33-36). Therefore, the history of Shemini Atzeret is rooted in an obligation as stated by the Torah (of which Numbers and Leviticus are a part) and so it applies to all Hebrews as well as to the remnant of the Hebrew people, the Jewish people.

The history of Shemini Atzeret became focussed in Jerusalem during the First Temple and Second Temple periods. In Temple times, on the eighth day after the start of Sukkot - or in other words, the first day following the seven-day festival of Sukkot, the Hebrews/Jews were commanded to assemble in Jerusalem for the final time in the Hebrew/Jewish calendar year. On this day, the day of Shemini Atzeret, which was seen as a day of judgement by G-d of the Hebrew/Jewish people as to whether or not they were worthy of receiving the seasonal autumn rainfall so that their crops and vegetation would be able to grow in the coming year and hence, enable the survival of the Hebrew/Jewish community, there was a special Prayer For Rain that was recited. This Prayer For Rain was known as "Tefillat Geshem" in Hebrew, meaning - you guessed it - "Prayer For Rain". The Prayer For Rain itself was composed in the Land of Israel by Rabbi Eleazar Ha-Kallir, a liturgical poet who is also the author of the "Hoshanot" ["Please Save (Us)" in Hebrew] prayers that are said throughout the festival of Sukkot. Rabbi Ha-Kallir probably lived either towards the end of the 6th century C.E or in the 8th century C.E. The theme of the Prayer For Rain is to plead to G-d for rain and sustenance but not for the merit of the Jewish people themselves. Rather, the pleading for rain and sustenance is for "the merit of the fathers" ("zekhut avot" in Hebrew), that is, for the three Hebrew Patriarchs/founders of the Hebrew/Jewish people: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel. In fact, the theme of pleading for the merits of the fathers rather than for the Jewish people themselves is also the theme in the prayers for forgiveness and atonement that are recited in the liturgy on Yom Kippur. So what is the significance and purpose of Shemini Atzeret ? Essentially, the day of Shemini Atzeret was and is a day which emphasizes the unique relationship of water to all life. Today, this special Prayer For Rainfall is recited in synagogues worldwide for the Land of Israel. Although this prayer, recited in the autumn season, may not be relevant for some Jewish communities at that time of year in certain parts of the world, its purpose and the purpose of prayers similar to the Prayer For Rain that are recited on Shemini Atzeret is to help keep the Jewish people aware and more conscious of the Land of Israel as well as serving to strengthen their spiritual bond with Israel.

The purpose and history of Shemini Atzeret in Kabbalistic Judaism (mystical Judaism) is rooted in bittersweet emotion. Kabbalistic Judaism or Jewish mysticism see the day of Shemini Atzeret as a day that symbolizes a feeling of "sweet sorrow" through a parable that describes G-d as feeling "sweet sorrow" at the close of the festival of Sukkot:

G-d is like a king who invites all his children to a feast to last for just so many days; when the time comes for them to depart, He says to them: "My children, I have a request to make of you. Stay yet another day; I hate to see you go".

Thus, the Kabbalists see the day of Shemini Atzeret as being similar to all other festive days in the Hebrew/Jewish calendar, meaning that the day of Shemini Atzeret is seen as a day of joy and of pleasure in addition to duty, where the Jewish people are guests in the palace of G-d.

More Shemini Atzeret Information

What is Shemini Atzeret ?
When is Shemini Atzeret ?
Shemini Atzeret Customs
Shemini Atzeret History

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