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The Eighth Day

The orchards are bare Their branches picked clean Vegetables all gathered Carrots. potatoes, beans Israel's dwelt outdoors in 'booths' For the last seven days The Festival of Tabernacles ending Today its very last day There's been rejoicing and dancing Spirituality in abundant profundity Blessings, prayers, ceremony To accompany gastronomic fecundity Can it all be over, finished so soon To end with a whimper, instead of a bang With the appearance of tonight's moon --Well, it's not! God invites Israel to hang out with Him now indoors for one more long day called 'Shemini Atseres,' which means the Eighth Day a day of unbridled joy, celebrated with the Torah in circles of smiling faces, all dancing the hora! Happy Shemini Atseres and Simchas Torah! Sunday evening, October 20 through Tuesday evening, October 22, 2019 ___________________________________________ Torah = A parchment scroll on which the Old Testament is written in Hebrew Simchas Torah = Rejoicing with the Torah/Law

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Lindsay Laurie

Date: 10/22/2019 7:21:00 PM

Hello Gershon … interesting indeed Gershon, and well presented Gershon. I'm sorry for my ignorance. I'd never heard of this festival before - Lindsay

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/22/2019 9:11:00 PM

Please do not feel 'ignorant,' my good friend. Many Jews, born into the faith, have neither heard of Shemini Atseres or celebrate it. You can now consider yourself among the elite few who know about it worldwide! Smiles, Gershon

M. L. Kiser

Date: 10/21/2019 8:35:00 PM

And a joyous celebration it must've been; you've penned it with a great deal of elation. Beautiful.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/22/2019 9:09:00 PM

You're right, M.L. It is, indeed a joyous celebration, just concluded a short while ago. Back to 'normal' now, albeit elevated. Warmest wishes, Gershon

P.S. Awtry

Date: 10/21/2019 1:56:00 AM

I think it no accident that this sounds heavenly :)

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/22/2019 9:09:00 PM

Oh, this comment has made my evening, P.S. Thank you so, so much! Blessings, Gershon

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/20/2019 8:18:00 PM

Thanks for letting us share the joy with you via your poem :)

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/22/2019 9:08:00 PM

My privilege and good fortune to be able to do so in this small way. Thanks for reading and commenting, my dear friend. Cheers, Gershon