Thursday, September 20, 2012

Shmini Atzeres: Rained Out


During the seven days of succos we offer 70 bulls as korbanos corresponding to the seventy nations. On Shmini Atzeres the theme is [as we discussed in a previous post] "nismach Ani vi-atem" – an intimate day where it is just us and Hashem. All that is left is the Jewish people who are the highest and most pure expression of what man is supposed to be [when we behave ourselves…], as the gemara puts it - אתם קרויים אדם.

 

This sheds light on why Shmini Atzeres is the day of rain "Yom Hgshamim". The appearance of rain in the world was tied up with the creation of man "lo himteer .. vi-adam ayin" – there was no rain until man was in existence to show his appreciation [Breishis 2/5]. Shmini Atzeres is the time when the ideal expression of man is the "star of the show" and Klal Yisrael is alone kviyachol with Hashem. It makes complete sense then that it is the "Yom Hagshamim".

[Maamarei Pachad Yitzchak page 296]