Following Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot there are two final holidays that are a part of our High Holy Day season. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. "Shemini what?" is a common question for many Jews who are not so familiar with the Jewish calendar. "Shemini Atzeret" means "The Eighth Day of Assembly." In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is the day the Jewish people finish the last chapter of the Torah and begin the circle of Torah again (also known as Simchat Torah). We as Jews in the diaspora, celebrate the holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah separately. For us, as Jews who live outside the land of Israel, what is the meaning of Shemini Atzeret?
One explanation is that Shemini Atzeret is a day for the divine to say good-bye. We have been celebrating the High Holy Day season for several weeks now. Following Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we will return to our mundane lives. It is during the holiday of Shemini Atzeret when God asks us to stay one more day in our intense relationship that we have during this time of year, out of love.
Shemini Atzeret, in this understanding has no specific historical meaning; it is simply an opportunity for affection. Like the cycle of rain, the cycle of love has no beginning and no end. The cycle of love changes us. The holiday of Shemini Atzeret is a time to celebrate love itself and to say goodbye to the festival season. The month of Tishrei will soon be over, and the seed of our love must carry us into the coming year.
The first opportunity we have after Shemini Atzeret to demonstrate our love for God is on Simchat Torah. On Simchat Torah, we demonstrate our love for God by dancing and rejoicing with the most precious gifts that God has given us, our Sifrei Torah. The scene is very similar to a wedding, between a groom and bride. Simchat Torah is a festive occasion when everyone celebrates in the synagogue by receiving an aliyah to the Torah (children too). There are two special honors known as the Chatan Torah and the Chatan Bereishit. Each of these individuals serves as a "groom" to God and the Torah. The Chatan Torah is called up to recite the blessings before and after the end of Deuteronomy is read. The Chatan Bereishit is called up to recite the blessings before and after the beginning of Genesis is read.
Both Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah end our High Holy Day season and also begin our renewed love for God during the coming year. One of the ways we demonstrate our love for God is by studying Torah. Bet Shira Congregation once again is offering many different opportunities to learn for everyone in our congregation. During the High Holy Days a brochure was handed out entitled: Adult Opportunities For Learning. I encourage everyone to pick at least one class in our AOL program to attend over the coming year. All of our classes and programs are engaging and fun. We have text classes and cultural activities. We have classes in Hebrew and "lunch and learn" opportunities. Please take part in as many of the offerings that are available.
As the High Holy Days have now come to an end, God awaits our continued relationship beyond Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Studying is a wonderful place to begin!
Wishing everyone a Chag Sameyakh!
A joyous Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah!
Rabbi Micah Caplan
