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Prague · 28 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat this week · 16:02–17:11

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Pilgrimage festivals

Shemini Atzeretשְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת

1 day (22 Tishrei); Simchat Torah follows on 23 Tishrei · 22 Tishrei

  • Bible
  • Halakhah
  • Minhag
  • Folk custom
  • Modern practice
  • Interpretation
Transliteration
Shemini Atzeret
Pronunciation
shmi-NI a-TZE-ret
Duration
Israel: 1 day (also Simchat Torah)
Diaspora: 1 day (22 Tishrei); Simchat Torah follows on 23 Tishrei
Awaiting expert review

In 60 seconds

Shemini Atzeret, the “eighth day of assembly”, follows immediately after the seven days of Sukkot. The Torah names it as a holy day on which no work is done. Although it follows on from Sukkot, rabbinic tradition understands it as a festival in its own right: the four species are no longer taken, and in Israel people no longer sit in the sukkah. In the Musaf prayer the plea for rain, Tefillat Geshem, is said for the first time in the year, because the rainy season begins in the Land of Israel. Ashkenazi congregations say the Yizkor memorial prayer. In Israel Simchat Torah is celebrated on the same day; in the diaspora, where the festival lasts two days, Simchat Torah falls on the following day.

Next date

from Fri, 22/10/2027

(22 Tishrei)

until Sat, 23/10/2027

candle lighting: 17:39

All dates and times

When

  1. Begins

    Friday, 22 October 2027, at sunset (17:57)

    candle lighting: 17:39

    Ends

    Saturday, 23 October 2027, after nightfall (18:44)

    1 day

  2. Begins

    Wednesday, 11 October 2028, at sunset (18:18)

    candle lighting: 18:00

    Ends

    Thursday, 12 October 2028, after nightfall (19:04)

    1 day

  3. Begins

    Sunday, 30 September 2029, at sunset (18:42)

    candle lighting: 18:24

    Ends

    Monday, 1 October 2029, after nightfall (19:28)

    1 day

Times for Prague · Diaspora

History and origins

Bible

After the seven days of Sukkot, the Torah establishes the eighth day as a “holy convocation” and an “atzeret”, with its own offerings.1,2,3

Bible

The Books of Kings and Chronicles describe how Solomon, after the dedication of the Temple and the festival, sent the people home on the eighth day.4,5

Halakhah⁂ To verify

The Talmud understands Shemini Atzeret as a festival in its own right (regel bifnei atzmo), with its own Shehecheyanu blessing and its own name in the prayers.6

Religious meaning

Interpretation

During Sukkot a total of seventy bulls were offered in the Temple, which the Talmud relates to the seventy nations of the world; on the eighth day only one bull – for Israel.7,8

Interpretation⁂ To verify

A well-known midrashic image: a king who has invited his sons to a feast asks them to stay one more day, because “your parting is hard for me”. Shemini Atzeret is thus a day of intimate encounter.

Core traditions

MinhagDiasporaAshkenazim⁂ To verify

In the diaspora people still eat in the sukkah, but without the blessing leishev ba-sukkah; some Hasidim no longer eat in the sukkah.9

MinhagIsrael

In Israel the hakafot with the Torah scrolls begin in the evening, because Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah merge into one day.

How it is observed

Halakhah

It is a festival day (yom tov): work is prohibited as on other festivals, while cooking and carrying for the needs of the festival are permitted.

Halakhah

The four species are no longer taken; festival candles are lit and kiddush is said with Shehecheyanu.

Prayers and blessings

Halakhah

In Musaf Tefillat Geshem (the prayer for rain) is recited, and from then until Passover the Amidah includes “mashiv ha-ruach u-morid ha-geshem”.10,11

MinhagAshkenazimSephardim⁂ To verify

Ashkenazim say the Yizkor memorial prayer. Sephardim have their own memorial prayers (hashkavot) arranged differently.

MinhagDiaspora

In the diaspora the reading is the passage from Deuteronomy on tithes and festivals, and the haftarah from 1 Kings on Solomon’s blessing.12,13

Symbols and objects

MinhagAshkenazim

The festival has no object of its own; its “symbol” is the plea for rain. In some congregations the cantor wears a white kittel, as on the High Holidays.

MinhagIsrael

Torah scrolls come to the fore in Israel, where people dance with the Torah on the same day.

Traditional foods

Folk customAshkenazim⁂ To verify

There are no established dishes specific to Shemini Atzeret; the festive Sukkot cuisine with its stuffed dishes continues. Some Ashkenazi families serve kreplach.

Differences between communities

HalakhahIsraelDiaspora

In Israel Shemini Atzeret is also Simchat Torah (one day); in the diaspora these are two days (22 and 23 Tishrei).

Modern practiceDiaspora

Reform congregations in the diaspora usually follow the Israeli calendar and celebrate both festivals on one day.

In the Czech lands

MinhagCzech lands⁂ To verify

As diaspora communities, Czech communities follow the two-day scheme: Shemini Atzeret on 22 Tishrei and Simchat Torah on 23 Tishrei.

For children

Shemini Atzeret is like “stay just a little longer” at the end of a long celebration. After a week in the sukkah, people pray for rain to come on time in Israel.

FAQ

Is Shemini Atzeret part of Sukkot?

It follows on from it, but according to the Talmud it is a festival in its own right: the four species are not taken, and in Israel people do not sit in the sukkah.

Why is the prayer for rain said now?

The rainy season begins in the Land of Israel; the plea for rain is not said during Sukkot so that rain does not spoil the time spent in the sukkah.

What is the difference between Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah?

In Israel they are the same day. In the diaspora Shemini Atzeret is on 22 Tishrei and Simchat Torah on 23 Tishrei.

Do people sit in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeret?

Not in Israel. In the diaspora many do, but without the blessing; customs vary.⁂ To verify

Sources

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