Once, on Shemini Atzeret, a simple Jew came to the Alter Rebbe, with a request:"I do not understand the Chassidic dis-courses in which the Rebbe explains the meaning of the festival. I would like the Rebbe to explain the meaning of Shemini Atzeret in simple words, so that I, too, can understand."The Rebbe thought for a moment, passed his hand over his forehead, and said,"Shemini Atzeret is like a concentrated essence that is prepared in a small bottle."Later, a few drops are taken from it, mixed with water, and made into much larger quantities. So too, Shemini Atzeret is the concentrated essence of the joy of the entire year."From it, joy is drawn down into all the days of the year."

A simple Jew asks the Alter Rebbe to explain Shemini Atzeret in simple terms. The Rebbe describes Shemini Atzeret as a concentrated essence of joy, from which j

The Essence of Joy

Weekly Chabad publication featuring teachings, stories, and halacha for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.