Dancing on Simchat Torah
The blessings and forgiveness which we seek on the Days of Awe by beseeching the Alm-ghty through solemn prayer and earnest repentance, can be attained on Simchat Torah in a joyous vein, by dancing with the Torah. (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, previous Lubavitcher Rebbe)
Shemini Atzeret
Our Sages explain the reason for the holiday of Shemini Atzeret thus: After the Jewish people had already been together with G-d for the seven days of Sukot, G-d requested that they remain with Him for another day, as "Your separation is difficult for Me." This can be interpreted to mean "The separation between one Jew and another is difficult for Me." In order to be strengthened against this separation, the Jewish people should gather together on Shemini Atzeret amongst themselves, while their hearts are happy, and they will come to closeness, love and unity. (Tzror Hachaim)
Reprinted from the Parshat 5763/2003 (Issue #789) email of L'Chaim, a publication of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn, NY.