Shemini Atzeret

"The Eighth Day of Festive Assembly"

The Bible in Leviticus 23 mentions a day called ATZERET: "Seven days you shall bring an offering made by fire to Yehovah; on the eighth day shall be a holy gathering unto you.... It is a day of festive assembly (atzeret)." Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:36

The seven days refers to the festival of Sukkot. The phrase "on the Eighth Day" was interpreted to mean that this day is the continuation of the seven days and the concluding day of Sukkot, but it was regarded by the rabbis of old as a festival in its own right. Included in the service were special prayers for rain, and, as its name implies, Atzeret ("Assembly"), was also the time when the people assembled, once in seven years, for a public reading of the Torah.

Shemini Atzeret is observed in the Shabbat spirit. It is also one of the four days of the year when Yizkor prayers are recited. The additional service, Musaf, includes, indeed, a special prayer for the rain looking forward to the coming days of rain and the water so essential for a fruitful year, hence another name for this day was, "The day of drawing of water." This day is also connected with the Messianic prophesy given by Isaiah: “And you shall draw water with joy from the springs of salvation.” Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 12:3

Thus the joyful prayer and the joy with which the ancient ritual was done in the Temple had a double expectation, the plentiful rain needed for a good crop and the coming of Messiah. The Talmud talks about this day as one of the most joyful day of the year: “Our Rabbis taught, He who has not witnessed the rejoicing at the place of the Water-Drawing has never seen rejoicing in his life.” Talmud - Mas. Sukkah 51b

In the Brit Chadashah we also read about this joyful day and Yeshua's response to the prayer recited during the drawing of water: “Now on the last day, the great day of the Feast [Sukkot] Yeshua stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37-38

The Messianic prophesy was indeed fulfilled. Yeshua was born during the Feast of Sukkot and anyone who comes to Him will find salvation and will never hunger and thirst for spiritual nourishment because Yeshua came down to be everything to us:

— I am humble and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls;

— I am the Bread of Life, Ani Lechem haChayim, the one coming to Me will never hunger and the one who believes in Me will never thirst;

— I am the Living Bread, Ani Lechem haChai, having come down out of Shomayim, if anyone eats of this Lechem he will live forever;

— I am the Light of the world, Ani haOhr haOlam Hazeh, the one following Me will never walk in darkness;

— I am the gate of the entrance of the sheep, through Me, if anyone enters, will be saved;

— I am the Good Shepherd, Ro’eh haTov, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep;

— I am the Son of God, Ben haElohim, believe in the works that I do, so that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father;

— I am the Resurrection and the Life: the one believing in Me, even if he should die, will live, and everyone living and believing in Me, in no way shall die;

— I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, haDerech, haEmet, ve’haChayyim, no one comes to the Father except through Me;

— I am the true Vine and My Father is the Vinedresser, I am the Vine you are the branches, the one remaining in Me and I in him, bears much fruit because apart from Me you are not able to do anything.

What a joyful day indeed to celebrate the One who gave us everything so we can enjoy life eternal in His presence.

Shabbat Shalom!