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There is a midrash taught as to why there is special significance to the holiday of Shemini Atzeret (the 8th day of Assembly), which is celebrated at the conclusion of Sukkot (the Festival of the Booths).
Rabbi Alexandri told the story of a king who had occasion for rejoicing.
Throughout the seven days of the feast, the king's sons were fully occupied with their guests.
So, at the conclusion of the seven days the king said to his sons, "My sons, I know that throughout the seven days of the feast you were burdened by the guests, so now I will not trouble you further. I want from you only a portion of meat with which I will rejoice with you."
In the same way, throughout the seven days of festivities for Sukkot, Israel is occupied with the sacrifices of the nations of the world, which prevent the world from being destroyed as punishment for the nations' sins.
However, as we are told: My enemies answered my love with accusations ... but I carried on, for I am all prayer (Ps. 109:4), because Israel trusts in prayer.
So, at the conclusion of the seven days of the festival Sukkot, God said to Israel, "My children, I know that throughout the seven days of the festival you were burdened with making sacrifices for the nations of the world.
Now you and I will celebrate together, and I will not burden you so, I require just one bull and one ram."
When Israel heard this they began to praise God and said, "This is the day that God has made, let us exult and rejoice in it." (Ps. 118:24) (PESIKTA D'RAV KAHANA 28)
Shemini Atzeret has its own unique character, separate from Sukkot.
The Torah tells us:
On the 15th day of this 7th month there shall be the Feast of Booths to the Eternal, to last seven days...Seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the Eternal. On the 8th day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the Eternal; it is an atzeret; you shall not work at your occupations." (Lev. 23:34-36)
Shemini Atzeret is understood by Jews as our own special day with God so as to celebrate our unique and sacred relationship.
Because of this, Shemini Atzeret is also understood as a specific day by which we remind ourselves of the personal relationships we value the most, and why we must find both the qualitative and quantitative time by which to be present with the ones we most love.
Shemini Atzeret is in reality the "day of our lingering"; not wanting to leave the presence of those we most love.
It's similar to our experience of when we travel for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or a wedding, or any other special simcha with people who we are especially close.
We don't run away after the simcha, we linger with our loved ones and try to hold on to that little extra time together.
The rabbis posit that if God has difficulty in saying goodbye to the ones' God loves, how much the more so human beings would suffer the same challenge.
This also explains why we observe Yizkor on Shemini Atzeret - our traditional Memorial Service.
We want to sit not just with those in this world, but the spirits of our loved ones who dwell in the World to Come.
For a little bit, we linger together with all we love.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Rabbi Mitch
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