Torah mentions the eighth day: “On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.”( Leviticus 23:36) This holiday is called Shemini Atzeret, which in translation from Hebrew means "stay on the eighth."

This is a unique holiday! After all, there are no references to agricultural or historical events associated with it. This holiday is about ... nothing really. In fact, it is dedicated not to someTHING, but to someONE.

Shemini Atzeret is a quiet, imploring whisper of the Father, looking at the children who are going to leave home: “Stay some more, linger, My dear, precious children, My people! You have already spent three weeks detached from your business - everything that makes up the usual course of life. You spent them in Jerusalem, celebrating according to My word. You have served Me with gratitude by offering numerous sacrifices, numerous gifts. You have done everything, and you can already go home ...

But now I do not demand, but I ask: don’t leave Me, stay with Me one more day, even if it frustrates your plans. I want you to trust Me and I will take care of your homes. Stay with Me some more. Every moment with you is so dear to my heart! "

Shemini Atzeret is a special appeal of God to every child: “Stay with Me more than you planned ...” The Father wants to be with us more and longer. His dream is to be with us always, all the time, eternity ...

Shemini Atzeret is a holiday of the pure, selfless, all-embracing love that God has for us and our selfless love for God in return. He wants us to know Him as Love. “God is love” (1 JOHN 4:16), and everything else flows from a loving heart.

This year Shemini Atzeret comes September 27 (22 Tishrei 5782)

© Boris Grisenko | from the book "Jewish Feasts"