"Kasheh alay praydatchem." - "Your leaving is hard on Me."


One of the most unusual holidays in our calendar is Shemini Atzeret. It is "tacked on" to Sukkot, but it is actually a chag in its own right (indeed, the Shecheyanu is said at candle-lighting and kiddush). Why another day (or two) of holiday? After such an intense interaction with Am Yisrael throughout Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot,

HaShem simply doesn't want to let us go just yet.

HaShem simply doesn't want to let us go just yet.


But there is another way to interpret our opening phrase: "Your separation is hard for Me." You see, the hallmark of this whole holiday period is unity. We reach out to each other during Elul, asking forgiveness for any wrongs we may have done. On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the shuls are packed, with all types of Jews from all types of backgrounds praying as one. We pause to smile and say, "Hi" to each other after tefillah.


And then, on Sukkot, we move into little huts, eliminating the "keeping up with the Jones' mentality" that often creates divisions in society. The Arba Minim are held together, symbolizing the need to be "bound up" with all our fellow Jews. In days gone by, Shemini Atzeret was an opportunity for the nations of the world to bring offerings at the Beit HaMikdash, symbolizing the Temple's role as a "House for all people." And on Simchat Torah, of course, aliyot are handed out to the community and we dance in Hakafot, each person equidistant from the Torah which resides in the center of our lives.


Unity reigns: between Jews, between the nations of the world, between man and G-d.


But then, the chagim are over and, alas, we tend to revert back

Redemption from G-d will automatically result when we have perfected our relationships with each other.

to our old ways. We no longer have that intense bond and kesher between us that we had for almost two months. So, HaShem laments: "Kasheh alay praydatchem" - 'Your departure, your separation - not so much from Me, but from each other - is painful for Me to see.'


Our challenge is to maintain, in the weeks and months ahead, at least some of that closeness to our fellow Jew and human being that we experienced throughout the chagim. Because if there is one central lesson that the extended "Hi" Holidays send, it is that Redemption from G-d will automatically result when we have perfected our relationships with each other.


So, the next time you see me - or the next time I see you - let's all at least say "Hi" to each other, and maybe even crack a smile. It's what I call "a Mitzvah of a Moment" that can brighten your whole day. OK?