Bamidbar 29: Is Shmini Atzeret its own Holiday?

YINR 929: Tanach Yomi · Mar 22, 2026 · 5m

“On the eighth day you shall hold an atzeret; you shall not work at your occupations” (verse 35).

בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ׃

(Numbers 29:35)

The Gemara Sukkah 47a–48a gives a mnemonic to capture Shemini Atzeret’s dual status: פזר קש״ב Each letter represents a criterion in which Shemini Atzeret is separate from Sukkot: פ – פיס (Lottery): The priestly lottery for sacrifices is redone; it does not continue the Sukkot rotation. ז – זמן (Shehecheyanu): A new Shehecheyanu is recited (in Eretz Yisrael).ר – רגל (Festival): It is called a separate…