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Moshiach is about going beyond one’s nature. Preparation for Moshiach requires a paradigm shift.
An Unusual Year
There is something unusual that has happened this year [the year in which this essay was originally published]. This week’s Torah reading, Shemini (which means “[On the] eighth [day]” has been read eight times in the last few weeks.
[According to Jewish law the weekly Torah portion is read four times. Shabbat afternoon we read one section of next week’s parsha. We repeat this on Monday and Thursday. Then on Shabbat we read the parsha in its entirety. This year, however, because the first and last days of Passover were on a Shabbos, a Festival theme was read instead of the weekly portion of Shemini. Thus, the weekly Torah portion of Shemini was read four Sabbaths back in the afternoon. Then it was repeated on the following Monday and Thursday; once more the next Shabbos afternoon (which was the first day of Passover); again on the next Shabbos afternoon (the last day of Passover); on the Monday and Thursday of this past week, and finally once more it will be read in its entirety this Shabbos morning, for a grand total of eight times.] There is a Chassidic maxim concerning this infrequent phenomenon: Shmini, shmonah, shmeinah. This play on words translates as “When we read the parsha of Shemini (which means eighth) shmona (eight) times, it will be a shmeina (fat or sated) year.
In other essays we commented on the significance of the number eight. Whereas seven represents the natural cycle, the number eight represents transcending the natural order.
The fact that this week’s parsha focuses on the rituals performed in the Mishkan (portable Sanctuary the Jews built in the desert) on the “eighth day” of its initiation, is an indication that this day was conducive to extraordinary spiritual growth.
Likewise every year as we read this section of the Torah, we are able to draw upon this reservoir of inspiration that gives us the strength and endurance to go beyond what we thought was our limit.
What then is the significance of the theme of eight (that is relevant every year when we read the Parsha of Shemini) when it is repeated eight times?
Subjective and Objective Excellence
The answer lies in an analysis of the difference between subjective excellence and objective excellence. There are routine things that we do and there are unconventional things that we are sometimes called upon to do. It is possible for one to do the regular things with such enthusiasm and excellence that what appeared routine and commonplace has now been rendered extraordinary. This is the meaning of subjective excellence.
On the other hand, there are times that we are called upon to perform some unusual act, (“objective excellence”) but we manage to apply only normal and routine vitality and interest. In effect, we can take an extraordinary act and give it an ordinary appearance. Nevertheless, there still exists a glimmer of extraordinary energy that radiates throughout the mediocre manner of performance.
There can, however, be a third level of experience. One can perform an extraordinary act, going beyond the norm, in an extraordinary way. The act can be infused with excitement and enthusiasm, where the subjective fervor parallels the unusual nature of the act.
This then is the significance of Shemini, shmonah shmeinah. When we combine Shmini (eighth), excellent and unconventional behavior, with Shmona (eight), extraordinary vigor and excitement, the result is shmeinah a truly exceptional and “fat” year in all senses of the word. The excellence permeates all aspects of our life.
Moshiach and the Number Eight
The Messianic Age will be ushered in by
Moshiach, who is referred to in the Talmud as one of the “eight princes.” Moshiach will usher in an age of extraordinary holiness. In the Bais Hamikdash the harp which previously had seven strands will be converted into an eight strand harp.
For Moshiach to accomplish all of this he too must be an individual, whose attitude to life is one of constant striving for selftranscendence, always seeking to go beyond the routine. Moshiach will combine personal and objective excellence; his extraordinary efforts are punctuated with extraordinary joy.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Shemini by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
