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Post by alon on Oct 3, 2015 17:41:03 GMT -8
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat  this year (2015) begins the evening of Sunday, October 4 and ends the evening of Monday, October 5.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat are a follow-up to Sukkot, and outside Yisro’el lasts two days. No work is permitted.
Leviticus 23:36 (ESV) For seven days you shall present food offerings to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.
The day after the seventh day of Sukkot, Tishri 22, is Sh’mini Atzeret. Outside of Yisro’el an extra day of holidays are sometimes held; so the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat . Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and 23, while Simchat is Tishri 23. In Yisro’el, Sh’mini Atzeretz and Simchat are both done on the eighth day. Biblically, seven is the number of completion, and eight is new begginings. At this time the reading cycle is completed with the last two books of Debarim (Deuteronomy), and we immediately go into the first chapter of Bereshith (Genesis). Thus our study is shown to be a continuous cycle. The honor of an aliyah (reciting a blessing over the reading) is given to as many people as possible, even children. Also as many adults as possible have the honor of carrying a scroll in the processions.
“[G‑d says to Israel,] "I have detained you [to remain] with Me." This is analogous to a king who invited his sons to feast with him for a certain number of days, and when the time came for them to leave, he said: "My sons! Please, stay with me just one more day; it is difficult for me to part with you!"” (Rashi)
On Sh’mini Atzeret, literally "the assembly of the eighth (day)," Hashem invites His people to stay for an extra day. Sukkot is intended for everyone, including those not ingrafted to Yisro'el; but when Sukkot is over our creator desires a more intimate celebration with us. Sh’mini Atzeret is a very joyouse festival. We eat in the sukkah and say prayers for rain. Meshiachim do not recite Yizkor, which are prayers for the dead; though some Orthodox do observe this custom. [edit: we do a modified yitzkor, remembering all our dead. Regular yizkor prayers are still said on the anniversary of the death of relatives and people important to us.]
Simchat means "Rejoicing in the ." The hakafot on erev and the morning of Simchat is marching and dancing with scrolls around the synagogues reading table. This is the highlight of the day.
May you be blessed in your efforts to keep these moedim.
Dan C
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Post by alon on Oct 3, 2015 17:48:00 GMT -8
Because of the wide dispersion of our congregations, work schedules that cannot be altered and other factors, Syn Beit Aveinu will only be meeting this Sunday evening. (Not sure what the parent synagogue is doing). However as much as possible we will all keep the rest of these days in our homes. I would encourage everyone to honor this time the best way you can. Perfection at this stage isn't necessary, but the keeping of Hashem's moedim is very necessary.
Dan C
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Post by alon on Oct 21, 2016 20:27:30 GMT -8
Sh'mini Atzeret starts this year (5777/2016) at sundown this Sunday the 23rd and goes to sundown the 24th. Simchat then starts and runs through the day on the 25th. Note that in ancient times these were not two distinct holidays; and in Israel they are still one day, Sun evening and Mon. As it says in Leviticus 23:36, above, Sh'mini Atzeret is a commanded day of convocation. Note that while Sukkot was for everyone, Sh'mini Atzeret is only for the observant. Like Pesach, all males should be circumcised. And by extension, if you do Simchat separately, it too is only for the observant. It means "Rejoicing in ." Kind of hard to see how someone rejoices in something they refuse to keep. So your Christian friends can fellowship with you dureing the day on Sunday (that should make 'em happy  ), but Sunday evening you'll have to separate yourself from them and either congregate with other Meshiachim, or try to be alone if you have no one else. I can't make Halacha, but my opinion is if you have young children, they are covered by your belief, and so can and should be allowed to stay with you during this time.
Dan C |
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Loxody
Junior Member
Posts: 63 
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Post by Loxody on Oct 22, 2016 20:05:28 GMT -8
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Loxody
Junior Member
Posts: 63
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Post by Loxody on Oct 22, 2016 20:14:19 GMT -8
Erev Shemini Atzaret in a nutshell:
- Most forms of work are prohibited
- Yizkor (memorial service) is said by many preceding Shemini Atzaret [Ashkenazi]
- On the preceding nights, women and girls light candles
- Shehecheyanu is said after the candles are lit
- A festive meal is eaten on Erev Shemini Atzaret
- A blessing for dwelling in the sukkah is not said
- Some people (like from Chabad) don't eat the festive meal in the sukkah, but many others do.
- The challah is dipped in salt, instead of honey (as with all the other holidays this month)
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Post by alon on Oct 17, 2019 8:42:39 GMT -8
The last day of Sukkot this year (2019) falls on Shabbat. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat 2019 starts as Shabbat ends. So we need to be preparing for these 2 days now. I strongly encourage everyone to observe the days. If you have a sukkah, spend some time in it. If you live in a fairly warm climate and it is safe, you should be living in the sukkah for the week anyhow. But Shemini Atzeret and Simchat are different. While it is good to celebrate in your sukkah if you don't have a synagogue to go to, this time differs from Sukkot in purpose and celebrations. It is a time for observant believers only, and it celebrates the new cycle.
This year I'm focusing mostly on theTorah in my parashot. It was requested that I/we parse out the actual commandments found in , and I think that's a good idea. So I'll be mostly focused on that, but may also point out biblical principles or other pertinent things taught therein. It is going to be a sort of a "back to the basics" year for us here. Hope you'll join us and please, contribute to the discussion! It's how we all learn here!
Chag Sameach!
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Post by alon on Oct 20, 2019 11:20:15 GMT -8
From the parent synagogue:
B”H Shalom chaverim umishpachah,
Chag Sh'mini Atzeret Sameach!This is a reminder that tonight begins Sh’mini Atzeret (The Eighth Day Conclusion). “For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to HaShem; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to HaShem; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work”
~ Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:36 We will have our Erev service tonight at 6pm and our shacharit service Mon. @ 10am at the synagogue. Join us for this last great day of rejoicing, worship, and feasting before Adonai and with your brothers and sisters. We will dance and rejoice with the , and thank Adonai for the latter rain. Join us for Sh’mini Atzeret at the synagogue, or if you are not able you may do so via our live streaming: www.messianicspokane.com/livestreaming Chag Sameach! Rabbi Reuel DillonChavurat HaMashiachA Messianic SynagoguePhone: 509-714-2939www.messianicspokane.com “Jew & Gentile, One In Messiah”
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this year (2015) begins the evening of Sunday, October 4 and ends the evening of Monday, October 5.
), but Sunday evening you'll have to separate yourself from them and either congregate with other Meshiachim, or try to be alone if you have no one else. I can't make Halacha, but my opinion is if you have young children, they are covered by your belief, and so can and should be allowed to stay with you during this time.
