After celebrating seven days of succos, the yom tov of Shmini Atzeres arrives. Chazal offer the famous parable to a father who invites his children to visit him. When the time comes for them to leave, the father begs them to stay one more day as it is difficult for him to part from them. Having spent a week with the Jewish people during Succos, Hashem asks us to remain for one more day to celebrate together Shmini Atzeres.
The additional day of yom tov spent with Hashem does not appear to solve the problem of making our departure from Hashem any easier. On the contrary, the longer we spend in Hashem's presence, the more difficult it is to leave. What is it about Shmini Atzeres that enables us to leave without the sadness that would have otherwise been present at our departure?
Shmini Atzeres is unique from the other yomim tovim of Tishrei in that it lacks a particular mitzvah to focus on. Rosh Hashana centers around the shofar; Fasting and teshuva are the themes of Yom Kippur; Succos is celebrated with the mitzvos of succah and arba minim. The essence of Shmini Atzeres is the very fact that there is no mitzvah unique to it. How do we come close to Hashem on a yom tov which lacks a vehicle to connect with Hashem? On Shmini Atzeres our connection to Hashem is only through Talmud Torah. After having completed a month full of shofar, fasting, succah, and lulav, we realize that our closest relationship to Hashem is through the Torah itself. This is why Simchas Torah has become the celebration of Shmini Atzeres, in Israel on the same day and outside Israel as the second day of the yom tov of Shmini Atzeres. There is no more appropriate time than the conclusion of the yomim tovim of Tishrei to celebrate our overwhelming love for the Torah.
Chazal compare a mitzvah to a small candle and learning Torah to a large light. A candle lights up a very small corner whereas a light illuminates an entire area. A mitzvah is limited in that it provides spiritual light only while the mitzvah is being performed. The study of Torah continues to radiate forever. Mitzvos are limited to specific times, places, and circumstances whereas Talmud Torah has no bounds.
As we come to the end of a month of mitzvos, we sense our relationship with Hashem being diminished. There will not be a shofar, succah or lulav for an entire year. The level of spirituality achieved on Yom Kippur will not be reached again until next year. We are saddened and so is Hashem, as it is difficult to say goodbye. Enters Shmini Atzeres and lifts our spirits, informing us that we can continue to remain close to Hashem the entire year through Talmud Torah. There is no need to say goodbye because we have discovered the secret of remaining with Hashem under all circumstances. We don't need a shofar or a succah for the next twelve months to keep us in contact with Hashem. We have his Torah to study. As Tishrei draws to a close, let us focus on Talmud Torah as the secret of Shmini Atzeres that will accompany us throughout the year.