10 Facts About Shmini Atzeret

1. When Shemini Shmini Atzeret falls on the Shabbat, the Scroll of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet, is read on that day outside the Land of Israel.

2. Shemini Shmini Atzeret is a holiday in its own right, without sukkah, lulav and etrog.

3. Outside Israel, where Shemini Shmini Atzeret is observed for two days, Simchat Torah is deferred to the second day, when all agree there is no obligation of sukkah.

4. Two observances of Shemini Shmini Atzeret are mentioned in the Prophets and Writings portions of the Tanakh.

5. Day prior to Shemini Shmini Atzeret is the last day of Sukkot.

6. Shemini Shmini Atzeret is characterized as a day when the Jewish people "tarries" to spend an additional day with God at the end of Sukkot.

7. Spiritually, Shemini Shmini Atzeret can be seen to "guard the seven days of Sukkot".

8. Shemini Shmini Atzeret is therefore simultaneously "a holiday in its own right" and the "end holiday of [Sukkot]".

9. Talmud describes six ways in which Shemini Shmini Atzeret differs from Sukkot.

10. Shemini Shmini Atzeret is mentioned there only in verses 36 and 39.