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Leviticus 23:36 - Eighth day's sacred rest?

Leviticus 23:36 - ויקרא 23:36

Hebrew Text

שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תַּקְרִיבוּ אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה עֲצֶרֶת הִוא כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ׃

English Translation

Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord: on the eighth day shall be a holy gathering to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord; it is a solemn assembly; and you shall do no servile work.

Transliteration

Shiv'at yamim takrivu isheh la'Adonai bayom hashmini mikra-kodesh yihyeh lakhem vehikravtem isheh la'Adonai atzeret hi kol-melechet avodah lo ta'asu.

Hebrew Leining Text

שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָ֑ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֡י מִקְרָא־קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ עֲצֶ֣רֶת הִ֔וא כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃
שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָ֑ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֡י מִקְרָא־קֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ עֲצֶ֣רֶת הִ֔וא כׇּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Vayikra 23:36) appears in the section detailing the festivals, specifically discussing Shemini Atzeret, which follows the seven days of Sukkot. The Torah commands a seven-day period of korbanot (offerings) during Sukkot, followed by an eighth day of special sanctity, marked by additional offerings and a prohibition of melacha (servile work).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 23:36) explains that "Shemini Atzeret" is a separate festival distinct from Sukkot, despite its proximity. He cites the Talmud (Sukkah 47a), which states that while Sukkot involves the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah and taking the four species (lulav, etrog, etc.), Shemini Atzeret has no unique mitzvot beyond its sanctity and the prohibition of work. Rashi emphasizes that the phrase "עצרת היא" ("it is a solemn assembly") indicates a day of gathering for spiritual reflection, as if Hashem requests His people to linger with Him after the joy of Sukkot.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Shevitat Yom Tov (1:5), the Rambam (Maimonides) classifies Shemini Atzeret as one of the Yom Tov days on which melacha is prohibited, akin to the first day of Sukkot. He notes that while Sukkot’s mitzvot (like sukkah) do not apply on Shemini Atzeret, its sanctity is independent, derived from this verse’s command to refrain from labor and bring korbanot.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:7) offers a parable: A king invited his children to a seven-day feast, and when the time came to depart, he pleaded, "Stay one more day—your leaving is difficult for me." Similarly, after the seven days of Sukkot, Hashem asks Bnei Yisrael to remain for Shemini Atzeret as an expression of His love for them. This underscores the intimate relationship between Hashem and Klal Yisrael.

Halachic Implications

  • Prohibition of Melacha: Like other Yom Tov days, all forms of melacha (except for food preparation) are forbidden (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 668:1).
  • Korbanot: The verse specifies offerings unique to Shemini Atzeret, as detailed in Bamidbar 29:35-38.
  • Prayer: In contemporary practice, Shemini Atzeret includes the recitation of Geshem (prayer for rain) in Mussaf, marking the seasonal transition (Mishnah Berurah 668:1).

Symbolism of the Eighth Day

The Kli Yakar (Vayikra 23:36) explains that the number eight symbolizes transcendence beyond nature (represented by seven). Shemini Atzeret thus reflects a higher spiritual plane, where Bnei Yisrael connect to Hashem beyond the physical mitzvot of Sukkot. This aligns with the Zohar’s teaching that Shemini Atzeret is a day of dveikut (clinging to the Divine) without intermediary rituals.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 31a
The verse is cited in the discussion about the Torah readings for the festivals, specifically regarding the eighth day of Sukkot (Shemini Atzeret).
📖 Moed Katan 19a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the prohibition of work on the eighth day of Sukkot.
📖 Chagigah 17a
The verse is mentioned in the discussion about the offerings brought during the festivals, particularly focusing on the eighth day of Sukkot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the 'eighth day' mentioned in Leviticus 23:36?
A: The 'eighth day' refers to Shemini Atzeret, a separate holiday that follows immediately after the seven days of Sukkot. According to Rashi, it is a day when Hashem asks the Jewish people to 'linger' (atzeret) with Him a little longer before departing after the pilgrimage festival season.
Q: Why is no work permitted on Shemini Atzeret?
A: The Torah prohibits melacha (servile work) on Shemini Atzeret because it is a mikra kodesh (holy gathering), similar to Shabbat and other major festivals. The Rambam explains that this restriction helps us focus on spiritual matters and connection with Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of bringing offerings for seven days and then an additional offering on the eighth day?
A: The seven days correspond to Sukkot, when special offerings were brought in the Temple. The eighth day offering (on Shemini Atzeret) represents a unique, intimate celebration between Hashem and the Jewish people. The Talmud (Sukkah 55b) compares this to a king who invites his children for a feast, and when it's time to leave, he asks them to stay one more day for a simpler, more personal gathering.
Q: How is Shemini Atzeret observed today without the Temple offerings?
A: Today we observe Shemini Atzeret through prayer, festive meals, and the recitation of special holiday prayers like Hallel and Mussaf. In Israel, it coincides with Simchat Torah (when we complete the annual Torah reading cycle), while outside Israel these are two separate days. The Midrash teaches that our prayers now take the place of the Temple offerings.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the concept of 'atzeret' (solemn assembly)?
A: The term 'atzeret' teaches us the importance of pausing from our regular activities to focus on our relationship with Hashem. The Sforno explains that after the intense spiritual experiences of the holiday season, Hashem gives us this special day to internalize the lessons before returning to ordinary life.