Shmini Atzeret

Shmini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that concludes the week of Sukkot, a festival celebrating harvest and divine protection. It’s considered a separate, solemn day dedicated to prayer and reflection, emphasizing closeness to God. In Israel, it often coincides with Simchat Torah, marking the completion and restart of the annual Torah reading cycle. Outside Israel, it follows Sukkot as a distinct holiday. The name “Shmini Atzeret” means “eighth assembly,” reflecting its timing as an extra day of gathering and intimacy with God beyond the seven days of Sukkot.