Shmini Atzeret is both a holiday unto itself and the eighth day of Sukkot. As a nod to both aspects, it is customary to eat meals in the sukkah on Shmini Atzeret (Sunday night and Monday), but not to recite the blessing for dwelling in the sukkah.

The Shmini Atzeret service will include Hallel, Yizkor and Geshem.

Hallel is a collection of Psalms recited on holidays and on Rosh Chodesh before the Torah service. It expresses our gratitude and joy for divine providence. The melody is truly joyful and we look forward to singing it as we end the fall holiday season.

We have the opportunity once more to recite Yizkor in remembrance of those who are no longer with us. Remember to light a yahrtzeit candle before the holiday begins on Sunday evening. Yizkor is on Monday morning following the Torah service.

Shmini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season, which we note by adding mashiv ha-ruach u'morid ha-gashem (You cause the wind to blow and the rain to fall) to Musaf. On this day, we also sing Geshem, the prayer for rain, following the Yizkor service. This moving and beautiful prayer recalls the many ways that water is central to our lives and to our history.