For the source text click/tap here: Sukkah 55
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During Sukkos, a total of seventy bulls were brought up on behalf of the nations of the world. But on Shemini Atzeres, a single bull brought as an offering was meant to symbolize the unique nation, the Jewish people, that exists in a unique relationship with Hashem.
The Gemara cites a parable about a king of flesh and blood who said to his servants: Prepare me a great feast that will last for several days. When the feast concluded, on the last day, he said to his beloved servant: Prepare me a small feast so that I can derive pleasure from you alone.
We explore the paradoxical nature of the universalistic vs the particularistic/national/tribal aspects of this last day of Sh'mini Atzeret culminating in Rav Kook's (and Rav Shagar's) resolution.