Day 276 Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah

 

10/3/2026

"Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation."

Isaiah 12:3  

 

As the seven days of the appointed Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot ends, the 8th day of assembly called Shemini Atzeret, an independent one day celebration, begins today. It is a festive holiday where no work is allowed, the businesses are closed, no traffic is allowed, and the same rules apply since this day is on the Sabbath. The women light candles and recite special blessings according to the Chabad, and there are prayers for rain. This day is followed by Simchat Torah which means "The Joy of the Torah," that marks the end of the reading cycle of the Torah and the beginning of the new Torah cycle. It is a festive, joyous occasion with special foods prepared that represent the Torah such as rice and meat wrapped in cabbage leaves to resembled the Torah scrolls. Again, no one works, and there is dancing in the streets as the men dance carrying the Torah scrolls and men dance with their children on their shoulders.

This is the beginning of the rainy season, so the prayers are for rain. The rainy season only occurs twice a year in Israel, so it is much needed for the crops. In Isaiah 44:1-5 we read of God's blessing on Israel:  

"'Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. Thus says the LORD who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.' One will say, 'I am the LORD's'; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write with his hand, 'The LORD's,' and name himself by the name of Israel."   

The scripture promises that as water nourishes the earth and blesses the ground, so God's spirit will pour out on the descendants of Israel producing the blessing of offspring for future generations. It mentions salvation for all Israel whom God has chosen as His own. As we offer intercession for Israel and for our own nations who have been going through difficult seasons of war and continuous persecution and threats, as we draw life from the living springs of water, we lay down despair, disappointments, and all discouragement that weighs us down. And as Isaiah 12:3 says with joy we draw water from the wells of salvation. As the rain begins to fall we offer thanks to God for blessings over the dry places of our lives, our families, our friends, and our nations. Rain signifies the outpouring of Holy Spirit over us, and Holy Spirit draws all men to salvation through Christ Jesus, our Messiah. God has promised that all Israel will be saved. To this we pray amen and amen!

As we look back over the feast days, all of Israel has been blessed, and we anticipate more and better opportunities to share in the restoration and healing of Israel as a nation still going through the trauma of October 7, 2023. May we continue to stand on the wall as watchman and bring comfort and hope to all.