Shemini Atzeret: The Forgotten Festival
Hosted By: My Jewish Learning
Shemini Atzeret is the final day of the long cycle of holidays in the Hebrew month of Tishrei. It is often understood as being entirely superfluous. In the Medieval period, Simchat Torah developed which has largely subsumed the original intent of the day in many communities.
In this class, we’ll answer questions such as: What, exactly, is Shemini Atzeret anyway? Why is it observed? How is it observed? Why pray for rain?What is the spiritual import of the day.
Spoiler alert! Shemini Atzeret might just be the most important of all of the Tishrei holidays.