This evening begins the festival of Shemini Atzereth (Eigth Day of Assembly)! It is a separate holiday from the festival of Sukkoth and is a high-day when we are to leave our sukkah (tent, booth, tabernacle) behind to dwell in our permanent homes, yet still tarrying just a bit longer with YHWH. The word atzar means to stop, pause or tarry. The number seven, as applied to Sukkoth, connotes completion and fulfillment; whereas the number eight, as applied to Shemini Atzereth, is about going beyond completion and starting anew.

This day is also the celebration of Simchath Torah (Joy of Torah). It is the day when we pause to complete the yearly reading of the Torah, rejoice in the Word of YHWH, and begin it anew – all in the same breath!

D'varym (Deuteronomy) 33:1-34:12 and B'reishyth (Genesis) 1:1-2:3

Consider the spiritual meaning of these things, chaverim, how they apply to the Kingdom of YHWH and the marriage of Yeshua to his bride. Pause today to rejoice and give thanks to YHWH and His Word who dwelt among us. Then “turn it over, and turn it over again!”