The upcoming holiday is called Shemini Atzeret. The literal translation is "The eighth; withholding." It doesn't take much to realize that it doesn't make much sense!
To understand the name of this holiday and what it represents, we must first think about the idea of the eighth, on the one hand, and retention, on the other.
The cycle of a week has 7 days. In Hebrew the days are called rishon – first, sheni – second and so on, symbolizing that, once a cycle is finished, a new one begins "from the beginning," that is, the new "first day" is as if it were not a continuation of the last Shabbat – it is a new cycle.
Therefore, the number eight represents that which transcends cycles, that which is "beyond the system"«
On the other hand, the idea of retention symbolizes the opposite. While the number eight symbolizes what lies "beyond," retention symbolizes what is graspable, what one can retain and make a part of one's own life. In human understanding, there is that which one understands—retains—and that which one cannot comprehend or grasp—the transcendent, symbolized by the number eight.
The festival of Shemini – eight – Atzeret – withholding – symbolizes the internalization of the transcendent. The Jew lives in this way, introducing the world around us to the transcendent Divine presence, revealing His reign in the world and making it a suitable place for His dwelling, through sanctifying the world with the observance of Mitzvot – commandments.
It is my wish that this will be a year full of transcendence and that it will be expressed in the most common aspects of life: health, sustenance, and happiness.