Positive #37 - To Rest from Work on Shemini Atzeret

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #37, which is to rest from work on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret.

• This mitzvah applies to the 22nd day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year). This is the day immediately after the last and seventh day of Sukkot. Outside of Israel, it also applies to 23rd day of Tishrei.
• It is called the "eighth day," because it is the day after the seventh day of Sukkot. However, it is a completely distinct holiday from Sukkot.
• Other than the date, this mitzvah is identical to positive mitzvah #25, which is to rest from work on the first day of Passover. Similar to the first day of Pesach,  food related melachot (work activities) are permitted on Shemini Atzeret, which is referred to as ochel nefesh.
• This mitzvah concludes a series of mitzvot that are to rest on specific days:
  • Positive #20 - To Rest from Work on Shabbat
  • Positive #25 - To Rest from Work on the First Day of Passover
  • Positive #27 - To Rest from Work on the Seventh Day of Passover
  • Positive #28 - To Rest from Work on Shavuot
  • Positive #29 - To Rest from Work on Rosh Hashana
  • Positive #31 - To Rest from Work on Yom Kippur
  • Positive #34 - To Rest from Work on the First Day of Sukkot
  • Positive #37 - To Rest from Work on Shemini Atzeret

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