Number 8

The number eight seems to repeat itself a lot in the Torah. As we learned in Parshat Shmini, the eighth day is chosen for the dedication of the Mishkan. In Parshat Tazria the eighth day is chosen for the brit milah. In Parshat Metzorh the eighth day is chosen for the day on which the cleansed Metzorah, Zav, and Zavah bring their special korbanot. We also know that Shmini Atzeret is the eighth day of succot. As we have just read, in Parshat Lech Lecha we are introduced to the idea of giving a brit to a boy at eight days old (Ishmael and Avram are both circumcised). So I started to wonder, why on the eighth day?? Why not on the seventh day. The number seven seems to be a lot more 'popular' in Judaism. For example, Shabbat is on the seventh day, Shemittah is on the seventh year, seven weeks of counting the omer, seven days of creation, and the list goes on and on. I believe Zahava even did a blog on the number seven in the beginning of the year! Do any of you have any suggestions to the significance of the number eight?

I remember discussing this question in Parsha class with Rabbi Goldberg last year. He told us a nice idea. Seven days is a week and the eighth day is a 'renewal.' The eighth day symbolizes a new beginning. Yes, we do rest on the seventh day, but the week is not complete until shabbat is over-the eighth day. Perhaps a brit milah is done on the eighth day to start 'fresh' in a way. It is pretty exciting after a baby's full week in the world, so on the eighth day he is given a brit milah. The same goes for the dedication of the Mishkan. The Jewish people are preparing the Mishkan and getting ready for its completion for a week and on the eighth day, they were blessed with the beginning of a fully functioning Mishkan.