Shemini Atzeret

Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that follows the festival of Sukkot but does not require the use of tabernacles. It is celebrated mainly outside of Israel, where the holiday is merged with Simchat Torah to form a single festivity.

Fast Facts

1. Literal meaning: The eighth day of assembly
2. Outside Israel, follows Sukkot and precedes Simchat Torah
3. Marks the beginning of rain prayers for that year
4. Traditionally necessitated the sacrifice of a bull, a deer and seven sheep¹
5. Considered less popular than Simchat Torah¹
6. In some congregations, interchangable with Simchat Torah¹

Background and Significance

Shemini Atzeret is celebrated for religious and agricultural reasons, like several other Jewish holidays. In ancient times, Jews gathered to sacrifice animals and offer prayers for the king's welfare and the peoples' prosperity.

Today, the holiday is ignored in many communities and receives only cursory attention in Israel, where it is distinguished by long, musical prayers asking for rain.¹ Scholars still disagree on some of the holiday's proceedings, which often leads to the merger with Simchat Torah.¹

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