To bring additional offerings on Shmini Atzeret

The musaf of Shemini Atzeret closes the festival cycle of Tishrei. Unlike the elaborate sequence of seventy bulls on Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret prescribes a single bull, one ram, and seven lambs, with their associated meal and drink offerings, and one goat as a sin offering. Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 10:6) codifies this as a unique obligation distinct from Sukkot.

Talmud (Sukkah 55b) explains that the seventy bulls of Sukkot represented the nations, while the single bull of Shemini Atzeret symbolizes Israel alone. Rashi (Num. 29:35) comments that Hashem says, “Remain with Me for one more day,” highlighting intimacy between Hashem and Israel after the universal scope of Sukkot. Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 325) explains that Shemini Atzeret reaffirms Israel’s special covenant, focused on closeness and joy. Midrash Rabbah (Bamidbar 21:24) likens it to a king who, after hosting all his subjects, keeps his beloved children close for a private feast.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

• Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 10:6): Codifies Shemini Atzeret’s musaf as separate from Sukkot.
• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 325): Teaches that Shemini Atzeret emphasizes Israel’s closeness to Hashem.
• Talmud (Sukkah 55b): Interprets the single bull as representing Israel alone.
• Rashi (Num. 29:35): Explains Hashem’s words “stay with Me,” stressing intimacy.
• Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah (21:24): Uses the parable of a king and his children to describe Shemini Atzeret.

Contrast with Sukkot Musaf (Mitzvah 390):

• Sukkot musafim featured seventy bulls for the seventy nations (Talmud Sukkah 55b). Shemini Atzeret musaf reduced to one bull, symbolizing Israel’s unique covenant.
• Sukkot projected holiness outward to the world (Sefer HaChinuch 324); Shemini Atzeret turned inward, strengthening Israel’s bond with Hashem (Sefer HaChinuch 325).
• Ramban (Num. 29:35) notes that while Sukkot embodied universal blessing, Shemini Atzeret embodied intimacy, “Atzeret” meaning to “hold back” Israel for closeness.

Parallel to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Musafim (Mitzvot 388–389):

• Like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret musaf was a climactic festival offering, but unlike them, it lacked a theme of judgment or atonement.
• Talmud (Sukkah 55b) emphasizes Shemini Atzeret’s musaf as joyous intimacy, not awe or repentance.
• Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 10:6) explains that while earlier festivals addressed cosmic or national themes, Shemini Atzeret musaf reflected Hashem’s love for Israel itself.