D14. Rejoicing at the Festivals of Shavuot, Sukkot, & Sh'mini Atzeret. [Make a Comment]
We are to rejoice at the festivals of Shavuot, Sukkot & Sh'mini Atzeret.
This precept is derived from His Word (blessed be He):
Key Scriptures
Leviticus 23:34-36
(Maimonides RP50-51; Chinuch C320, C322)
Tell the people of Isra'el, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh
month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to ADONAI. On the first day
there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work. For
seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI; on the
eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by
fire to ADONAI; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of
ordinary work.'
Leviticus 23:39-40
But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the
produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of ADONAI seven days;
the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a
complete rest. On the first day you are to take choice fruit, palm fronds,
thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate (NKJ: "rejoice") in the
presence of ADONAI your God for seven days.
Numbers 28:26-27
(Maimonides RP45; Chinuch C404)
On the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new grain offering to ADONAI
in your feast of Shavu'ot, you are to have a holy convocation; do not
do any kind of ordinary work; but present a burnt offering as a fragrant
aroma for ADONAI, consisting of two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs
in their first year
Numbers 29:12-39
(Maimonides RP50-51; Chinuch C320, C322)
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you are to have a holy
convocation. You are not to do any kind of ordinary work, and you are to
observe a feast to ADONAI seven days. You are to present a burnt offering,
an offering made by fire, bringing a fragrant aroma to ADONAI. It is to
consist of thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their
first year (they are to be without defect), with their grain offering - fine
flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for each of the thirteen bulls, four
quarts for each of the two rams, and two quarts for each of the fourteen
lambs; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular
burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the second day you
are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their
first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the
bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule;
also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt
offering, its grain offering and their drink offerings. On the third day
eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without
defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs,
according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a
sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and
drink offerings. On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs
in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for
the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the
rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt
offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the fifth day nine bulls,
two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the
grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their
number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in
addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.
On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first
year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams
and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one
male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with
its grain and drink offerings. On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams,
fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and
drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in
keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to
the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings. On
the eighth day you are to have a festive assembly: you are not to do any
kind of ordinary work; but you are to present a burnt offering, an offering
made by fire, giving a fragrant aroma to ADONAI - one bull, one ram, seven
male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink
offerings for the bull, the ram and the lambs, according to their number, in
keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to
the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. You are to
offer these to ADONAI at your designated times in addition to your vows and
voluntary offerings - whether these are your burnt offerings, grain
offerings, drink offerings or peace offerings.
Deuteronomy 16:10-11
You are to observe the festival of Shavu'ot [weeks] for ADONAI your God
with a voluntary offering, which you are to give in accordance with the
degree to which ADONAI your God has prospered you. You are to rejoice in
the presence of ADONAI your God - you, your sons and daughters, your male
and female slaves, the L'vi'im living in your towns, and the
foreigners, orphans and widows living among you - in the place where ADONAI
your God will choose to have his name live.
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
(Maimonides RP54; Meir MP21; Chinuch C488)
You are to keep the festival of Sukkot for seven days after you have
gathered the produce of your threshing-floor and winepress. Rejoice at your
festival - you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the
L'vi'im, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you.
Seven days you are to keep the festival for ADONAI your God in the place
ADONAI your God will choose, because ADONAI your God will bless you in all
your crops and in all your work, so you are to be full of joy!
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice!
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Always be joyful.
Commentary
There are many verses in Scripture (e.g. in Psalms and Philippians 4:4) that exhort us to rejoice in the Lord, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16 that exhorts us to rejoice at all times. That being said, the above Scriptures single out three festivals (Shavuot, Sukkot, and Sh'mini Atzeret - the eighth day assembly) for rejoicing - possibly because they are festivals of harvest.
Most of the appointed times listed in Leviticus 23, while required to be kept by Jews, are only optional for Gentiles who are not K'rovei Yisrael. Sukkot is an exception however, because of Zechariah 14:16's reference to "all the nations". That notwithstanding, its description is of the "Age to Come", so its requirement for Gentile participation in this age cannot be established. However, Gentiles connecting to its meaning is important, however, so the season appears to be a fitting time for Jewish and Gentile congregations to come together for celebration and worship.
Classical Commentators
Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch rely on Deuteronomy 16:14 (Maimonides and HaChinuch rely additionally on Deuteronomy 27:7) to state that we are to rejoice in (celebrate) all of God's feasts. They do not limit their mitzvot of celebration to Shavuot, Sukkot and Sh'mini Atzeret, although these are the only festivals in Scripture on which rejoicing or celebrating is specifically commanded.
NCLA: JMm JFm KMm KFm GMo GFo