Passover תרס”ד 4
איתא בגמ’ המבזה המועדות כעובד ע”ז דכ’ אלהי מסכה לא תעשה כו’ וסמך לי’ חג המצות תשמור.
It is stated in the Talmud that one who desecrates the festivals is like one who worships idolatry, for it is written: “You shall not make molten gods,” and immediately next to it, “You shall keep the Festival of Matzot.”
The Sefat Emet explains that the Torah’s juxtaposition teaches that disregard for the festivals undermines Israel’s covenantal relationship just as idolatry does, since both involve rejecting divine authority.
דכ’ דע את אלקי אביך ועבדהו.
As it is written: “Know the God of your father and serve Him.”
This verse shows that true service of God begins with da’at — a deep, inner knowing — which the festivals are meant to cultivate.
ובמועדות הוא זמן. קבלת הדעת מכש”כ בזמן המקדש כשעלו לראות פני ה’ קיבלו הדעת.
And on the festivals is the time for receiving da’at; all the more so during the Temple era, when they ascended to see the face of God and received da’at.
The Sefat Emet teaches that the festivals create sacred time uniquely suited for the reception of spiritual awareness, and in the Temple this experience was even stronger as Israel encountered the divine presence directly.
דכ’ מראהו כלבנון.
As it is written: “His appearance is like Lebanon.”
This verse is interpreted to mean that the divine revelation was clear and lofty, like the grandeur of Lebanon’s cedars, strengthening the people’s inner awareness.
וכ’ אתה הראת לדעת.
And as it is written: “You have been shown in order to know.”
This emphasizes that the purpose of revelation is the attainment of da’at — a clear recognition of God.
ולכן צריכין לשמוח במועדות שנזכה לקבל הדעת ולידע איך לעבוד את ה’.
Therefore we must rejoice on the festivals, so that we merit receiving da’at and knowing how to serve God.
Festival joy is not merely emotional; it prepares the heart to receive spiritual understanding, guiding a person in the path of divine service.
Summary: The Sefat Emet links the festivals to da’at, teaching that they are moments for receiving divine awareness, akin to the revelation experienced in the Temple. Joy on the festivals opens the way to true knowledge of how to serve God.
