Today we ask the database query: Which Biblical holidays have reasons given for their names. The query uncovers 4 examples. An examination of these examples justifies the Rashi assertion that Shmini Azereth is the only Biblical holiday whose name is not explained. Since the other holidays have their names explained we are therefore justified in also explaining the name of Shmini Azereth. We can explain its name by the meaning of its underlying root Ayin-Tzade-Resh which means to hold back. So to speak, God says to the Jewish people: "You have been here for Sukkoth 7 days - don't go - let me hold you back one more day. The table below presents results of the query along with illustrations of Rashi's comment.

Advanced Rashi: Many people understand this Rashi using the meaning method. Rashi is simply obtaining meaning from the underlying root. We have enriched the Rashi by combining the meaning and database method. The database method shows that holidays do have reasons for their names. So Rashi is not just applying the root meaning to the holiday, rather, Rashi is continuing the Biblical tradition of naming holidays by important commemorative criteria.