When we take the Torah home, we never part from the King
Tishrei is filled to the brim — with fear, awe, joy and ecstasy. With Yamim Tovim, unique mitzvos, symbols, and celebrations. Yet inevitably, the festivities wind down, and we must part from this glorious month. Before we leave, though, we linger.
This day of lingering is the Yom Tov of Shemini Atzeres.
Many of us find the meaning of Shemini Atzeres obscure. During Elul, our thoughts are centered on cheshbon hanefesh and eimas hadin. Once Tishrei arrives, we’re consumed with the intense avodah of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. And because Succos and its many mitzvos follow shortly thereafter, there’s little time to contemplate the import of its closing day, the Yom Tov of Shemini Atzeres.
The Midrash encapsulates the significance of Shemini Atzeres with a famous parable about a doting father who invited his children to a weeklong party: When it came time for them to leave, he said, “Please stay one more day. Kasheh alai preidaschem — your departure is so difficult for me.”
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