Chag sameach Shemini Atzeret.
“On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly (עֲצֶרֶת); you shall do no servile
work.”
— Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35
The total number of sacrifices on Sukkot was 70 bulls, 14
rams, 98 lambs, and 7 goats.
During Shemini Atzareth only one ram and one bull were
slaughtered.
In rabbinic understanding, this is the most intimate day
of all the moedim (appointed times).
The nations have gone home (Sukkot had seventy bulls offered
for the nations).
Now it’s just YHVH and His beloved Israel—quiet joy,
lingering communion. Ps 15 and Ps 24
“The eighth day” points to that which transcends the cycle
of the earthly.
It’s not just another day — it’s a foretaste of Olam Ha-Ba, the World
to Come.
“After the thousand years are finished, the Bride and
Bridegroom remain together for eternity — Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day, the
Endless Day.”
This is our final ‘’moed’’ of Torah’s ‘’moedim’’
As I was reflecting over the various sabbath appointments
over the past year. I was reminded of the two descriptions of these sabbaths
that the Torah teaches us – ‘’the shabbat’’ and the ‘’shabbat shabbaton’’
The distinction is very important and teaches us one of the
most important spiritual lessons we must learn and practice during our
pilgrimage here on this earth.
The lesson is simply this – In a covenant relationship there
are two parties. Now, for the blessings of that covenant relationship to flow
each party to that covenant will understand perform their obligations in order
for the blessings to flow in that covenant.
This partnership is sometimes called the Covenant Dance
— man acts below, YHVH acts above.
In Hebrew thought this principle is called אתערותא דלתתא (itaruta d’letata) — “the
awakening from below.” (why? The problem of failed covenant rests with man and
not YHVH)
It means that human obedience, repentance, and faithfulness
become the vessel through which divine power and blessing are released.
Not that man causes YHVH to act, but that man aligns himself with
YHVH’s covenant flow.
In other words: Man awakens below → YHVH fulfills above.
You obey and trust → YHVH completes and blesses.
This is the heart of the covenant, the inner meaning of Shabbat
Shabbaton —
our ceasing makes room for His completion.
This expresses the balance of emunah (faith) and ma‘asim
(deeds) perfectly.
when we take the step of covenant obedience, Heaven
completes it with blessing.
The appointments (sabbaths not shabbatons) related to the
Passover during the first 3 months of the year (scriptural year Ex 12:2)
Pesach, Chag ha Matzot, counting of the Omer and Shavuot contain instructions
that I am responsible to willingly embrace and obey.
The remaining appointments (shabbat shabbatons) we must just
pitch up with fellow like minded believers and believe that YHVH will do what
we cannot do – Weekly sabbath, Yom Truah, Yom Ha Kippurim, Succoth and shemeni
Atzareth and Smittah an Jubilee appointments.
This distinction is clearly shown in the Torah – Lev 23 and
25
1. The weekly shabbat – Lev 23:3 is classified as a shabbat
shabbaton.
2. Yom Teruah – Lev
23:24 is classified as a shabbat shabbaton.
3. Yom Ha Kippurim – Lev 23:32 is classified as a shabbat
shabbaton.
4. Succoth – Lev 23:39 is classified as a shabbat shabbaton.
5.Shemeni Atzareth – Lev 23:39 is classified as a shabbat
shabbaton.
6.Shmittah (Jubilee) Lev 25:4,5. is classified as a shabbat
shabbaton.
Shabbat Shabbaton marks times of total surrender
— where both body and creation cease their work and YHVH alone acts.
In Midrash Rabbah and Rashi’s commentary,
“Shabbat Shabbaton” indicates:
“The most complete rest — rest of body, speech, and
thought.”
Shabbat reminds us of Creation (“For in six
days YHWH made the heavens and the earth”).
Shemeni atzareth points us to a new creation
Rev
21:1 And I
saw a renewed heaven and a renewed earth,a Isa_65:17 for the
former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more.
Footnote: aAlso see Isa_66:22.
Isa
66:22 “For
as the new heavens and the new earth that I make stand before Me,” declares יהוה, “so your seed and your name shall
stand.
Shabbat Shabbaton reminds us of Redemption —
when YHVH alone will bring final rest.
The concept of Shabbat represents malchut (7000
years) — the divine indwelling presence (Shekhinah). Shabbat Shabbaton
represents union with the Infinite — the eternal state of peace where
all creation returns to its Source.
So, the sages often call Shemini Atzeret the eternal
Shabbat — It represents the rest beyond rest — the stillness that
follows all labour, the joy that follows all pilgrimage.
The Apostolic scriptures remind us of how important this
lesson is –
YHVH to do Eph
3:20 And to Him who is able to do exceedingly above what we ask or think,
according to the power that is working in us,
Heb
3:1
Therefore, set-apart brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, closely
consider the Emissary and High Priest of our confession, Messiah יהושע,
Heb
3:2 who was trustworthy to Him who appointed Him, as also Mosheh in all
His house.a Footnote: aSee Num_12:7.
Heb
3:3 For this One has been deemed worthy of more esteem than Mosheh, as
much as He who built the house enjoys more respect than the house.
Heb
3:4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all is
Elohim.
Heb
3:5 And Mosheh indeed was trustworthy in all His house as a servant, for
a witness of what would be spoken later,
Heb
3:6 but Messiah as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we
hold fast the boldness and the boasting of the expectation firm to the
end.
A Rest
for the People of God
Heb
3:7 Therefore, as the Set-apart Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His
voice,
Heb
3:8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial
in the wilderness,
Heb
3:9 where your fathers tried Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty
years.
Heb
3:10 “Therefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘They
always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’
Heb
3:11 “As I swore in My wrath, ‘If they shall enter into My rest...’ ”
Psa_95:7-11.
Heb
3:12 Look out, brothers, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of
unbelief in falling away from the living Elohim,
Heb
3:13 but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest
any of you be hardened by the deceivableness of sin.
Heb
3:14 For we have become partakers of Messiah if we hold fast the
beginning of our trust firm to the end,
Heb
3:15 while it is said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden
your hearts as in the rebellion.” Psa_95:7-8.
Heb
3:16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Was it not all who came out of
Mitsrayim, led by Mosheh?
Heb
3:17 And with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with those who
sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
Heb
3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter into His rest,
but to those who did not obey?
Heb
3:19 So we see that they were unable to enter in because of
unbelief.
Heb
4:1
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering into His rest, let us fear lest
any of you seem to have come short of it.
Heb
4:2 For indeed the Good News was brought to us as well as to them, but
the word which they heard did not profit them, not having been mixed with
belief in those who heard it.
Heb
4:3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest, as He has said, “As
I swore in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest...” Psa_95:11
And yet His works have come into being from the foundation of the world.
Heb
4:4 For somewhere He has said thus about the seventh day, “And Elohim
rested on the seventh day from all His works,” Gen_2:2.
Heb
4:5 and in this again, “If they shall enter into My rest...” Psa_95:11.
Heb
4:6 Since then it remains for some to enter into it, and those who
formerly received the Good News did not enter in because of disobedience,
Heb
4:7 He again defines a certain day, “Today,” saying through Dawiḏ so much later, as it has been
said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Psa_95:7-8.
Heb
4:8 For if Yehoshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of
another day after that.
Heb
4:9 So there remains a Sabbath-keepinga for the people of Elohim.
Footnote: aThe Greek word is sabattismos, which means Sabbath-keeping. (shabbaton)
Heb
4:10 For the one, having entered into His rest, has himself also rested
from his works, as Elohim rested from His own.
Heb
4:11 Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, lest anyone
fall after the same example of disobedience.
Heb
4:12 For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the
heart.
Heb
4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all are naked
and laid bare before the eyes of Him with whom is our account.
Jesus
the Great High Priest
Heb
4:14 Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through
the heavens, יהושע the Son of Elohim, let us hold fast our confession.
Heb
4:15 For we do not have a High Priest unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but One who was tried in all respects as we are, apart from
sin.
Heb
4:16 Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of favour, in order to
receive compassion, and find favour for timely help.
Finally:
Isa 30:15 For thus said the Master יהוה, the Set-apart One of
Yisra’ěl, “In returning and rest you are saved, in stillness and trust is your
strength.” But you would not,
Isa 30:16 and you said, “No, for we flee upon
horses,” therefore you flee! And, “We ride on swift horses,” therefore those
who pursue you are swift!
Isa 30:17 One thousand flee at the rebuke of
one; at the rebuke of five you shall flee until you are left as a pole on top
of a mountain and as a sign on a hill. (describing coming days of the
persistently disobedient)
The Lord Will Be Gracious
Isa 30:18 And therefore יהוה shall wait, to show
you favour. And therefore, He shall be exalted, to have compassion on you. For יהוה is an Elohim of
right-ruling. Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
Isa 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Tsiyon at
Yerushalayim, you shall weep no more. He shall show much favour to you at the
sound of your cry; when He hears, He shall answer you.
Isa 30:20 Though יהוה gave you bread of
adversity and water of affliction, your Teachera shall no longer be hidden. But
your eyes shall see your Teacher,b Footnotes, aOr teachers bOr teachers.
See also Jol_2:23.
Isa 30:21 and your ears hear a word behind you,
saying, “This is the Way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right, or
whenever you turn to the left.
Isa
30:29 Let the song be to you as in a night set apart for a festival, and
gladness of heart as he who is going with a flute, to come into the mountain of
יהוה, to the Rock of
Yisra’ěl.
Maybe
this – Is 30 - is what we should be singing and writing songs about.