Feast of Sukkot - Shemini Atzeret - The Day of Convocation

After the Feast of Sukkot, an extra day is added known as the "Eighth Day of Assembly".  It is an extra day of abiding with the Lord - alone...us with HIM.

Eight is the number for new beginnings.

Atzeret means "Abiding".

Jesus said, "Whoever abides (Atzeret) in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

According to the Zohar, it is on this 8th day, Shemini Atzeret, that the heathens/gentiles complete and terminate their blessings and abide in judgment.  But on this day, we end our judgments and abide in blessings.    We take delight with the King and take blessings from Him for the WHOLE YEAR.  It is on this day that we are alone with Him.

Whatever we wish for, we ask and He gives us.

Only he who sits with the King receives them.   "I have loved you."  Malachi 1:2

It is likened to a great wedding feast, and the guests have all left and the bridegroom enjoys us so much he asks us to stay one more day.....   so that he can spend quality time with just us.

The Sukkah is not used anymore on this day and the Hallel is recited (psalms 113-118).
 Torah references:  Lev. 23:36 and Num. 29:35

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset this year Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012.  

The first day of Rosh Hashanah is Monday, Sept. 17, 2012.
Torah Reading for the first day:   Genesis 21:1-34; Numbers 29:1-6; Haftorah:  1 Samuel 1:1-2:10

Second day of Rosh Hashanah:   Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Torah Reading for the second day:   Genesis 22:1-24; Numbers 29:1-6; Haftorah: Jeremiah 31:1-20

Traditions:
Round Challah filled with raisins - for a sweet new year.  The round loaf symbolizes the cycle of the year and the cycle of life and also represents the passing year.

Eat Pomegranites:   "May our good deeds  this year be as many as the seeds of this fruit."

Buy a new knife!    On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we read that this is the day that the first circumcision was performed (on Isaac).   It is a reminder to return to G-d in repentance.  The first step of our sins being cut off.

On the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, Abraham took a knife to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice.   The knife was used on the ram for the required blood sacrifice in place of Isaac - to remove the sins.

The ram is a metaphor for Messiah.  The word "Ram's Horn" -- "Yovel" is the same word for Jubilee.

So Isaac became the living sacrifice, an example of a holy life with the fire of Torah burning within.
By G-d providing the sacrifice of the ram caught in the tree, Isaac was set free ---Jubilee.

Thus, purchasing a new knife is a reminder to us to be a living sacrifice.