Why Messianic Halakha is needed- Part 17.
Date: Jun 16th, 2009 8:31:30 pm - Subscribe
Mood: Loving Torah
Why Messianic Halakha is needed- Part 17.
By. Rabbi Aminadav Ben Avraham Hinton
Script:
Num 29. 35-39 ( mentions the 8th day- synaptic to Shemini Atzeret)
Num 6.6-27/ Nehemiah 8. 1-18/ Ezekiel 43.1-29
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The word Halakha comes from the Hebrew word- To Walk, This Path, This Direction, It is a term that applies to YHVH'S rules and rulings that govern Jewish life. The Halakha this week is Shemini Atzeret â€" On Tishri 22, The day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also called by some the holiday- Simchat Torah.
Outside of Israel, where extra days of holidays are held only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah. Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and 23rd, while Simchat Torah is Tishri 23rd .
These two holidays are commonly thought of as part of Sukkot, but that is technically incorrect, Shemini Atzeret is a holiday on its own, and does not involved some of the special observances of Sukkot. We do not take up the lulav and etrog on these days and our dwelling in the Sukkah is limited and performed without reciting a blessing. Shemini Atzeret literally means
“ The assembly of the eighth ( day)” Rabbinic Literature explains the holiday as a day where our creator is like a host, who invites us as visitors for a limited time. The seven days of Sukkot that end with Hoshana Rabba are then immediately followed by Shemini Atzeret. Referred to in Torah as the eighth day of assembly
Hoshana Rabba- The Great Hoshana
The name of the seventh and last day of the sukkot festival, In Temple times the day was distinguished by the fact that seven circuits ( Hakkafot) were made around the altar with the lulav, and the willow branches, which on this day were specially cut at Moza near Jerusalem, were stood around the side of the altar with their leaves overlapping the top.
The Sages interpreted this to mean that YHVH asks all who made pilgrimage to sukkot to wait, to tarry( Atzeret) which from the Hebrew root means: To Hold Back, with him- one additional day.
As stated in Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are both celebrated on Tishri 22, but in the Galut- Shemini Atzeret is observed on Tishri 22 and Simchat Torah on Tishri 23. In the Galut, Shemini Atzeret is considered a full holiday ( Yom Tov ) but none of the particular mitzvot regarding Sukkot are observed, though some Jews still eat in their Sukkah, while others do not, as described in the Talmud ( Sukkah 46 b, 47 a)
However since it is a separate holiday, the usual rites of the rituals such as
Candle Lighting Saying Kiddush Refraining from work, attending special synagogue services etc. are practiced. The greatest part of Shemini Atzeret is Tefillat Geshem
Tefillat Geshem
Shemini Atzeret is perhaps best known for the tefillat geshem or “ The Prayer for Rain” recited during the Musaf service
( An additional tefillah service recited right after the morning service.)
The Tefillah Geshem Matar ( Prayer for Rain) is inserted in the second section of the Amidah ( Or Shmoneh Esrei ) where the phrase:
Mashiv HaRuach U'Morid HaGeshem - is said which means: Who makes the wind blow and makes the rain descend is added to the blessing, This addition to Amidah is recited until Pesach.
Why a Tefillah Geshem ?
In Israel, crops planted in the spring( Aviv) depend on the rain fall that occurs in the fall ( Tsav) Moreover according to Jewish tradition all the world is judged at this time regarding the amount of rain fall to be given for the coming year. Therefore beginning with Shemini Atzeret â€" an additional Tefillah, Davening for rain are made part of the Beit Khesset service through the addition to Amidah.
The Spiritual Significance of Shemini Atzeret
The word atzeret comes from atzar- meaning to store or collect, since sukkot marks the end of the fall festivals. It is suggested that Shemini Atzeret is meant as a time to reflect on the previous months of observance and to store the memories of Torah in our hearts. Shemini Atzeret suggests the image of remaining or abiding ( Atzeret) of an extra day with YHVH, beyond the seven days of fullness represented by the seven days of Sukkot, since sukkot represents “ The Olam Habah” and the Millennial reign of Ariel Yeshua Ha'Mashiach Ha'Melech- The soon coming kingdom, Shemini Atzeret represents the eternal state of perfection, the day of the New Heavens and New Earth
( Is 65:17, Rev 21:1)
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