What Is Shemini Atzeret?

Why would God add an extra day to a holiday just to spend more time with us? Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day of Assembly, falls on the 22nd of Tishrei, immediately after the seven days of Sukkot. Despite its proximity to Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret is actually a separate holiday with its own identity, its own mitzvot, and its own profound meaning.

A Separate Holiday

Although Shemini Atzeret follows directly after Sukkot, it is halachically a distinct holiday. This means that the specific Sukkot mitzvot, the four species and dwelling in the sukkah, do not apply on Shemini Atzeret. Outside of Israel, many people eat in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeret out of uncertainty about the calendar, but without the blessing. In Israel, the sukkah is not used on Shemini Atzeret at all.

The Shehechiyanu blessing is recited at candle lighting and kiddush, as on any independent holiday. The kiddush and prayers reference Shemini Atzeret by name, not Sukkot.

The Prayer for Rain (Tefilat Geshem)

One of the most significant moments of Shemini Atzeret is the recitation of Tefilat Geshem, the prayer for rain. From this day forward, the phrase mashiv haruach umorid hagashem (He causes the wind to blow and the rain to descend) is inserted into every Amidah prayer throughout the winter season, until Passover.

This prayer marks the transition from the dry summer season to the rainy season in the Land of Israel, where the entire agricultural year depends on winter rains. Even for Jews living far from Israel, this prayer connects us to the land and to the reality that our sustenance ultimately comes from God.

The prayer for rain is chanted by the cantor wearing a white kittel, with a special solemn melody that recalls the High Holidays. It invokes the merits of the patriarchs and their connection to water: Abraham's hospitality, Isaac's binding (when his father's tears fell upon him), Jacob's encounter with the angel at the river, Moses drawing water from the rock, Aaron's Yom Kippur service, and the twelve tribes crossing the Jordan.

Yizkor

The Yizkor memorial prayer is recited on Shemini Atzeret (as it is on Yom Kippur, the last day of Passover, and Shavuot). This is an opportunity to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away. Charitable pledges are traditionally made during Yizkor in memory of the deceased.

The Meaning of Atzeret

The word atzeret means assembly, gathering, or stopping. The Midrash offers a beautiful parable to explain the holiday. A king invited his children to a feast lasting seven days. When the feast was over, he said: Please, stay with me one more day. Your departure is difficult for me.

Similarly, after the seven joyous days of Sukkot, God asks us to remain for one more day of intimate connection. If Sukkot is a grand public celebration (the Temple ceremonies during Sukkot included offerings on behalf of all the nations of the world), Shemini Atzeret is a private moment between God and Israel. It is as if God says: The public festivities are over. Now let us spend one quiet day together, just the two of us.

Simchat Torah

Outside of Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the day after Shemini Atzeret (23rd of Tishrei). In Israel, Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret are combined on the same day. Simchat Torah features the dancing with Torah scrolls, the completion and restart of the Torah reading cycle, and exuberant celebration.

For more on the fall holidays, see our guides to Sukkot, Hoshanah Rabbah, and the Jewish holiday cycle.