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NEW BEGINNINGS & NEW LIFE

 

“SHEMINI (also written as SHMINI) ATZERET (also written as ATZARET)” is observed on the 8th Day while “SIMCHAT TORAH” is observed on the 9th Day after the Sukkot/Tabernacles Festival in some Jewish/Hebrew Cultures.

Other Jewish /Hebrew cultures observe both occasions on the 8th Day after the Sukkot/Tabernacles Festival.

 

SHALOM!

 

If YAHUSHUA was born on the first day of Sukkot then HE would have been circumcised on the “Eighth Great day” a festival following Sukkot.

This day was the original “Simchat Torah” (Rejoicing in the Torah) which is now held the following day as per Orthodox Judaism.

So YAHUSHUA would have entered the covenant on the day of “Rejoicing in the TORAH.”

 

And guess what, YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH is The TORAH (YAH’S WORD Made Flesh)!

 

 

 

Numbers 29:35-38 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Sukkot: Feast of Tabernacles

³⁵ “On the eighth day there shall be for you an assembly. You are to do no regular work. ³⁶ You are to offer to Adonai a burnt offering, a fire offering, a pleasing aroma, one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without defect, ³⁷ and their grain and drink offerings, with the bull, ram, and lamb corresponding to their number according to the regulations, ³⁸ and a goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.

 

THE GREAT 8TH DAY prophetically speaks of the:

NEW HEAVEN and NEW EARTH!

8 = NEW BEGINNINGS

 

 

Note that King Solomon completed the building of the First Temple close to the time of SUKKOT and dedicated it during Ha Moed Sukkot/The Festival of Tabernacles. See 2 Chronicles 7:

2 Chronicles 7 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret

7 Now when Solomon finished praying the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of Adonai filled the House. ² The kohanim could not even enter into the House of Adonai because the glory of Adonai filled the House of Adonai. ³ When all Bnei-Yisrael saw the fire come down and the glory of Adonai above the House, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, prostrating themselves and praising Adonai,

“For He is good
    and His mercy endures forever.”

⁴ Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before Adonai. ⁵ King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the House of God. ⁶ The kohanim stood at their posts, as did the Levites with the musical instruments of Adonaithat King David had made for praising Adonai—“for His mercy endures forever”—whenever David offered praise by their hand. Opposite them were the kohanim who sounded trumpets while all Israel was standing.

⁷ Moreover, Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard that was before the House of Adonai, because there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to contain the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat. ⁸ At that time, Solomon observed the feast for seven days and all Israel with him—a very great assembly from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt.

⁹ On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the feast for seven days. ¹⁰ On the 23rd day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Adonai had done for David, Solomon and Israel His people.

2 Chronicles 7:8-10 Names of God Bible (NOG)

⁸ At that time Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival of Booths. A very large crowd had come from the territory between the border of Hamath and the River of Egypt. ⁹ On the eighth day there was an assembly. They had observed the dedication of the altar for seven days and celebrated the festival for another seven days. ¹⁰ On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon dismissed the people to their tents. They rejoiced with cheerful hearts for all the blessings Yahweh had given David, Solomon, and his people Israel.

 

 

Philippians 3:5 Names of God Bible (NOG)

⁵ I was circumcised on the eighth day. I’m a descendant of Israel. I’m from the tribe of Benjamin. I’m a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to following Jewish laws, I was a Pharisee.

 

 

Revelation 21 Names of God Bible (NOG)

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and earth had disappeared, and the sea was gone. ² Then I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, dressed like a bride ready for her husband. ³ I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “God lives with humans! God will make his home with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won’t be any more death. There won’t be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared.”

⁵ The one sitting on the throne said, “I am making everything new.” He said, “Write this: ‘These words are faithful and true.’” ⁶ He said to me, “It has happened! I am the A and the Z,^[a] the beginning and the end. I will give a drink from the fountain filled with the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. It won’t cost anything. ⁷ Everyone who wins the victory will inherit these things. I will be their God, and they will be my children. ⁸ But cowardly, unfaithful, and detestable people, murderers, sexual sinners, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

A New Jerusalem

⁹ One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the last seven plagues came to me and said, “Come! I will show you the bride, the wife of the lamb.” ¹⁰ He carried me by his power away to a large, high mountain. He showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. ¹¹ It had the glory of God. Its light was like a valuable gem, like gray quartz, as clear as crystal. ¹² It had a large, high wall with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel were written on the gates. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had 12 foundations. The 12 names of the 12 apostles of the lamb were written on them.

¹⁵ The angel who was talking to me had a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. ¹⁶ The city was square. It was as wide as it was long. He measured the city with the stick. It was 12,000 stadia^[b] long. Its length, width, and height were the same. ¹⁷ He measured its wall. According to human measurement, which the angel was using, it was 144 cubits.^[c] 18 Its wall was made of gray quartz. The city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass. ¹⁹ The foundations of the city wall were beautifully decorated with all kinds of gems: The first foundation was gray quartz, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth red quartz, the seventh yellow quartz, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth green quartz, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ²¹ The 12 gates were 12 pearls. Each gate was made of one pearl. The street of the city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass.

²² I did not see any temple in it, because the Lord God Almighty and the lamb are its temple. ²³ The city doesn’t need any sun or moon to give it light because the glory of God gave it light. The lamb was its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. ²⁵ Its gates will be open all day. They will never close because there won’t be any night there. ²⁶ They will bring the glory and wealth of the nations into the holy city. ²⁷ Nothing unclean,^[d] no one who does anything detestable, and no liars will ever enter it. Only those whose names are written in the lamb’s Book of Life will enter it.

 

Two cryptic references in the cause the confusion about the status of Shemini Atzeret. In both Leviticus and Numbers, YAH (a.k.a GOD) commands that the eighth (shemini) day –referring to Sukkot–is to be a “sacred occasion” and an atzeret, generally translated as “solemn gathering.”

 

What is Atzeret?

The inherent problem is that no one really knows exactly what atzeret means. Possibly it comes from the word atzar, meaning “stop,” and thus implies that we are to refrain from work. On the other hand, atzeret may also be defined by its textual context, which implies that it is some sort of deliberate extension of the prior seven days. This lack of verbal clarity is likely the reason why the rabbinic sages seemed to struggle with the precise meaning of the holiday.

The earliest rabbinic reference to Shemini Atzeret calls it yom tov aharon shel ha-hag, the last day of the festival.

 

Although the observances of Shemini Atzeret generally share the characteristics of the rest of Sukkot, there are four significant differences:

• The first is that there is no more shaking of the lulav and etrog. 

 

• Second is that although we have our meals and recite Kiddush in the sukkah (though customs vary), we no longer say the blessing to sanctify us through the commandment to dwell in it, as we did the previous seven days.

 

• The third is that in the synagogue, after the Torah reading, we recite the memorial prayer (Yizkor).

 

• And finally, the special prayer for rain (Geshem) is added to the repetition of Musaf and thus begins the period of an additional call for rain in our prayers, which lasts until Passover. It is customary for the leader of the Geshem prayer to wear a kitel as was done during the divine judgment of the High Holidays. Wearing the garment indicates that this is the season of divine judgment for the future year’s rainfall, the time when we pray that God’s goodwill may afford us the appropriate amount.

 

 

 

This HOLY DAY is all about THE END OF THE YEARLY TORAH READING CYCLE.

 

It is defined on wikipedia as:

Simchat Torah or Simhat Torah (Ashkenazi:Simchas Torah, Hebrew: שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה‎, lit., “Rejoicing of/[with the] Torah“) is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle.

 

Joshua 1:8 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

⁸ Yes, keep this book of the TORAH on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed.

 

Having read Joshua 1:8, we understand that the TORAH is so very important as it was given to us as  GIFT by ABBA YAHUVEH (a.k.a YAHWEH) GOD THE FATHER through Moses on Mount Sinai along with THE TEN COMMANDMENTS as seen in Exodus 20.

 

 

The NEW TORAH READING CYCLE always begins on this day and round the year again we go.

This day is a HIGH SABBATH! NOT WORK IS TO BE DONE ON THIS DAY!

 

 

…On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Sukkot, seven days for the L-RD… on the eighth day, there shall be a holy convocation for you. -Leviticus 23:34

Tishri 22, the day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday of Simchat Torah. Outside of Israel, where extra days of holidays are held, only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah: Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and 23, while Simchat Torah is Tishri 23.

These two holidays are commonly thought of as part of Sukkot, but that is technically incorrect; Shemini Atzeret is a holiday in its own right and does not involve some of the special observances of Sukkot. We do not take up the lulav and etrog on these days, and our dwelling in the sukkah is more limited, and performed without reciting a blessing.

 

Shemini Atzeret literally means “the assembly of the eighth (day).”

 Rabbinic literature explains the holiday this way: our Creator is like a host, who invites us as visitors for a limited time, but when the time comes for us to leave, He has enjoyed himself so much that He asks us to stay another day. Another related explanation: Sukkot is a holiday intended for all of mankind, but when Sukkot is over, the Creator invites the Jewish people to stay for an extra day, for a more intimate celebration.

 

Simchat TORAH means “Rejoicing in the Torah.”

This holiday marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings. Each week in synagogue we publicly read a few chapters from the Torah, starting with Genesis Ch. 1 and working our way around to Deuteronomy 34. On Simchat Torah, we read the last Torah portion, then proceed immediately to the first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah is a circle, and never ends.

This completion of the readings is a time of great celebration. There are processions around the synagogue carrying Torah scrolls and plenty of high-spirited singing and dancing in the synagogue with the Torahs.

As many people as possible are given the honor of an aliyah (reciting a blessing over the Torah reading); in fact, even children are called for an aliyah blessing on Simchat Torah. In addition, as many people as possible are given the honor of carrying a Torah scroll in these processions. Children do not carry the scrolls (they are much too heavy!), but often follow the procession around the synagogue, sometimes carrying small toy Torahs (stuffed plush toys or paper scrolls).

In some synagogues, confirmation ceremonies or ceremonies marking the beginning of a child’s Jewish education are held at this time.

 

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are holidays on which WORK is not permitted.

As Messianic Jewish TORAH-Keepers, we celebrate the GREAT 8TH DAY: SHEMINI ATZERET and SIMCHAT TORAH, we are to keep in mind that we are CELEBRATING NEW BEGINNINGS on YAH’S CALENDAR/TIMING! 

 

Messianic TORAH Portion Reading for SHEMINI ATZERET / SIMCHAT TORAH...

During this FEAST TIME, we read the last TORAH PORTION OF THE CYCLE namely, “V’ZOT HABERAKHAH” as well as the first chapter of Bereshit then on the SHABBAT that immediately follows SIMCHAT TORAH, we read the entire BERESHIT Portion. The upshot is that we have a DOUBLE PORTION OF TORAH READING this week, brethren as we read the END OF THE SCROLL then REWIND TO THE BEGINNING….

• TORAH:

Deuteronomy 33:1-34-12

Genesis 1:1-2:3

 

• HAFTORAH which is usually the PROPHETS or WRITINGS but in this case, it is the PROPHETS:

Joshua 1:1-18

 

• BRIT CHADASHAH which is the NEW COVENANT / NEW TESTAMENT:

Revelation 22:1-5

 

 

Shmini Atzeret – שמיני עצרת

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 14:22 – 16:17 & Numbers 29:35 – 30:1

1: Deuteronomy 14:22-29
2: Deuteronomy 15:1-18
3: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:3
4: Deuteronomy 16:4-8
5: Deuteronomy 16:9-17
maf: Numbers 29:35-30:1 (6 p’sukim)

Haftarah: I Kings 8:54 – 8:66

 

Shmini Atzeret (on Shabbat)

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 14:22 – 16:17 & Numbers 29:35 – 30:1

1: Deuteronomy 14:22-29
2: Deuteronomy 15:1-18
3: Deuteronomy 15:19-23
4: Deuteronomy 16:1-3
5: Deuteronomy 16:4-8
6: Deuteronomy 16:9-12
7: Deuteronomy 16:13-17
maf: Numbers 29:35-30:1 (6 p’sukim)

Haftarah: I Kings 8:54 – 8:66

 

BRIT CHADASHAH: Luke 2

Luke 2:21-39 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Temple Prophets Rejoice

²¹ When eight days had passed for His brit-milah,^[a] He was named YAHUSHUA, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. ²² And when the days of their purification were fulfilled,^[b]according to the Torah of Moses, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present to Adonai. ²³ As it is written in the Torah of Adonai, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to Adonai.” ^[c]24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was said in the Torah of Adonai: “a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.”^[d]

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and pious, waiting for the consolation of Israel.^[e] The Ruach ha-Kodesh was on him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Ruach ha-Kodesh that he would not die before he had seen the Anointed One of Adonai. ²⁷ So in the Ruach, Simeon came into the Temple; and when the parents brought the Child Yeshua to do for Him according to the custom of the Torah, ²⁸ Simeon received Him into his arms and offered a bracha to God, saying,

²⁹ “Now may You let Your servant go in peace, O Sovereign Master,^[f]
according to Your word.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
³¹ which You have prepared
    in the presence of all peoples:
³² ‘A light for revelation to the nations’^[g]
and the glory of Your people Israel.”

³³ And His father and mother were marveling at the things that were said about Him. ³⁴ And Simeon offered a bracha over them and said to Miriam His mother, “Behold, this One is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is opposed, ³⁵ so the thoughts of many hearts may be uncovered. (And even for you, a sword will pierce through your soul.)”

³⁶ Now Anna, a daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, was a prophetess. She was well advanced in age, having lived with a husband only^[h] seven years ³⁷ and then as a widow until age eighty-four. She never left the Temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers. ³⁸ And coming up at that very instant, she began praising God and speaking about the Child to all those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.^[i]

³⁹ When Joseph and Miriam had completed everything according to the Torah of Adonai, they returned to the Galilee, to their own city of Natzeret.

 

 

 

 

(Some of the above information has been obtained from another source.)