Ilustration Credit: Rivka Tsinman
Midrash מִדְרָשׁ
The Torah calls the eighth day of Sukkot an עֲצֶרֶת (atzeret). We call this holiday Shemini Atzeret. Atzeret means something like “a pause.” What are we pausing for on Shemini Atzeret?
מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁאָמַר לַעֲבָדָיו: עֲשׂוּ לִי סְעוּדָה גְּדוֹלָה.
לְיוֹם אַחֲרוֹן אָמַר לְאוֹהֲבוֹ: עֲשֵׂה לִי סְעוּדָה קְטַנָּה כְּדֵי שֶׁאֵהָנֶה מִמְּךָ.
It’s like a human king who says to his servants: Make me a huge party!
On the very last day of the party the king says to his most beloved servant: Prepare me a small party so that I can enjoy being with you alone.
The huge party in the story represents Sukkot, when crowds of people would celebrate at the Beit Ha-Mikdash with grand festivities and many קָרְבָּנוֹת (korbanot, sacrifices). The small party at the end is Shemini Atzeret. It’s a special, more calm time for us to connect with God; one final chance for closeness before the holiday season ends.
- During holidays, we can enjoy feeling extra close to God. The midrash says that at these times, God also enjoys feeling extra close to us! Does it surprise you to think about God that way? What does this teach us about the relationship we have with God?
- It can be hard when special times come to an end. Have you ever been on a wonderful vacation with your family, or spent an unforgettable month at sleepaway camp? How did the last day feel? What are some ways to make the end meaningful or easier?
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