Shmini Atzeres: What is it all about?
Shmini Atzeres 5782: Paying forward with Tefilla
Torah Psych101
Dr. Jonathan M. Lasson
Shmini Atzeres brings back unique feelings and one profound memory that took place almost 15 years ago. I was working a s a school psychologist and was having a conversation with my non-Jewish colleagues about the meaning of the holidays, in particular Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah. I delicately gave a very general description of the holidays and most importantly (to them) the reason why I would not be available during those days. They were very respectful and interested in learning more about the holidays.
Among my colleagues at that school was an elderly woman who had worked in special education for many years. This woman was Jewish, but not religious in any way shape or form. She overheard my conversation with my colleagues and discovered that I was taking off for these very ‘little known’ holidays. She took this as an opportunity to march over to the principal and inform her that she would be taking off for the upcoming Jewish holidays of which she had no clue what they were. She stated her case to the principal who was extremely familiar about the holidays, even Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah as she and I had many conversations due to her particular interest in Jewish practices. She knew them by name and function.
When Mrs. E came over to inform her about her need to take off, the principal whom I had developed a very nice relationship looked at her with a sense of bemusement. She decided to play Mrs. E’s game and asked her which holidays she was taking off for. Mrs. E replied that “they are ones which you never heard of because they are not the main ones.” Mrs. J., an African American woman responded that she knew about many of the Jewish holidays and questioned her, as to the name of the holiday. Mrs. E., could not give an answer because she herself, did not know the name of the holiday that she needed to take off for. After some exasperation in not getting what she wanted, she went to tactic #2. “Well Jonathan is taking off for the holiday and he is Jewish just like me. Why can’t I take off?”
At this point the principal had her by the ropes and went for the jugular. “Mrs. E. For the past 15 years you have never taken off for these holidays. Jonathan has. Also, anytime we have a holiday party at school, Jonathan does not eat the food because he keeps strictly Kosher. You have eaten the non-kosher food many times. It seems like you are choosing to be like Jonathan this year for your own convenience and I have a problem with that!”
Suffice it to say, that teacher did not last much longer.
So what is Shmini Atzeres in a nutshell besides from knowing that Hashem wants us to celebrate and connect with him for one more day?
Sukkos symbolizes Galus. We leave our comfortable homes and bring Karbanos on behalf of the Umos Ha’olam-the nations of the world. We shake the species which represent our total submission to the Hashem and his protective shield against nations that want to destroy the Jewish people from every direction. Shmini Ateres tells us that the Galus will eventually end and Vayishkon Yisroel Betach Badad that Eretz Yisroel will eventually be able to live securely alone.
To those who don’t understand the ‘why’ behind the holiday, it is important to educate them on the beauty of our connection with Hashem and how this connection will help sustain us until the coming of Moshiach.