Shmini Atzeres 5787 - Please Stay

The Torah says:

“For seven days, you shall bring a fire-offering to Hashem; the eighth day shall be for you a holy assembly, and you shall bring a fire-offering to Hashem. It is an Atzeres—you shall not do any laborious work.” (Vayikra 23:36)

The Torah uses the unusual word Atzeres (עצרת) to describe the final day of the Succos holiday. We therefore call this holiday Shemini Atzeres, literally, “the eighth day of assembly.”

Why does the Torah use this unusual term to describe the final day of Succos?

The Chizkuni explains with a mashal, a parable:

A king's children came to visit him. The first time, the king asked them, “When will you return to me?” They answered, “In fifty days.” The king sent them away in peace.

The next time they came, the king again asked, “When will you return?” They answered, “In four months.” Again, he sent them away in peace.

The third time they came, they told him that they could not return for seven months. The king then said, “If that is the case, please remain with me for one additional day, so that I can enjoy your company a little longer before you leave.”

This, says the Chizkuni, is the meaning of Atzeres. After Pesach, the Jewish people return for Shavuos. After Shavuos, they return for Succos. But after Succos, there is a long period until the next festival of Pesach. Therefore, Hashem gives us one additional day to remain with Him before we leave.

The parable is beautiful, but it raises an important question. A human king naturally misses his children when they are away for a long period of time. But Hashem, unlike a human being, has no needs. What does it mean to say that Hashem wants us to remain with Him for one additional day because He desires our company?

Perhaps the answer can be understood by reflecting on our experience throughout the month of Tishrei.

Rosh Hashanah is a time when we recognize Hashem as King of the universe. On Yom Kippur, we devote an entire day to prayer, teshuvah and reconciliation with Hashem. On Succos, we leave the security of our homes and sit in a fragile succah, reminding ourselves that our ultimate protection comes from Hashem.

These days create a unique period of spiritual closeness. We spend more time in shul, davening and reflecting on our relationship with Hashem. We celebrate the holidays together with our families and community. We are surrounded by mitzvos and reminded repeatedly of Hashem's presence in our lives.

But then Succos ends.

We are about to return to our ordinary routines. We will go back to work, school and our everyday responsibilities. The danger is that the inspiration of Tishrei will gradually fade.

Shemini Atzeres gives us one more day.

Hashem, so to speak, tells us: Before you leave and return to the ordinary routine of the year, stay with Me a little longer.

The purpose is not that Hashem needs anything from us. Rather, Hashem wants us to maintain the relationship that we have strengthened throughout Tishrei. He gives us one additional opportunity to internalize what we have experienced and to carry that awareness with us into the months ahead.

This also explains why Shemini Atzeres is followed by Simchas Torah, the celebration of the Torah. After spending Tishrei strengthening our relationship with Hashem, we reaffirm that relationship through His Torah. In the Diaspora, this celebration continues into the following day with Simchas Torah.

The message of Shemini Atzeres is therefore especially important. The goal of the Yamim Tovim is not simply to experience several inspiring weeks and then return to our ordinary lives. The goal is to take the inspiration of Tishrei with us. If we use that day to internalize the lessons of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Succos, then we can carry the holiness of Tishrei with us throughout the entire year—and remain close to Hashem even in the most ordinary moments of our lives.