The Blessings Are Only for Bnei Yisroel:
The pasuk states (Bamidbor 29:35): “On the eighth day it will be a gathering for you.” The Tiferes Shlomo notes that it says that this holiday will be “for you”, and not for the non-Jews. This is because this “gathering” does not allow in any damaging outside forces. Only Klal Yisroel are able to benefit from its great blessings.
And the pasuk concludes: “All hard work you shall not do.” The blessings of Shemini Atzeres will provide you with abundant parnassah and there will be no need for excess work.
Everyone Can Bless Their Children and Friends:
The pasuk states (Devarim 33:1): “This is the blessing that Moshe, the man of G-d, blessed the children of Yisroel before his death.” Sefer Bais Yaakov (Alexander) asks that it seems repetitive to say that “this is the blessing... that he blessed.” He answers that the intent is that Moshe blessed them and gave over to them the ability to bless others.
He adds: “Therefore, I believe that on this day of joy, when we finish the Torah, everyone can bless his children and friends with all types of brachos. On this day, when we read this Parshah, we arouse this power of Moshe to give the ability to bless to every Jew.”
Staying Away From Strife:
The Bais Yaakov continues to say that it is unfortunate that the yeitzer hara often causes people to quarrel on this day, with men arguing over who should get which aliyah or hakafah, etc. Since this is the day when we should bless each other and express our love, the Satan tries extra hard to get us to fight.
He urges everyone to avoid such machlokes and writes: “It is better not to get one aliyah all year then to get into one fight.”
