Sacred Renewal on Festivals

וידבר משה את מועדי ה' אל בני ישראל.

Moses spoke the appointed times of the Lord to the children of Israel.

The Sefat Emet begins by highlighting that Moshe conveys God’s festivals directly to Israel, establishing their spiritual significance.

כי אמת שיש בכל מועד התעוררות קדושה מהשי"ת לבנ"י.

For it is true that in every festival there is an awakening of holiness from God to the children of Israel.

Each festival brings with it a divine stirring of holiness directed toward Israel.

כמ"ש מועדי ה' מקראי קודש.

As it is written: “The appointed times of the Lord, holy convocations.”

This phrase indicates that the festivals themselves call out and summon a person to holiness.

שיש קריאה והתעוררות קדושה לאדם.

There is a calling and an awakening of holiness for a person.

Every festival contains an inner call that invites a person to rise spiritually.

אבל מרע"ה תיקן להם לישראל להיות שואלין ודורשין ענינו של חג בחג כו'.

But our teacher Moses established for Israel that they should inquire and expound upon the meaning of the festival on the festival itself.

Moshe instituted active engagement: Israel must not only receive the holiness but also seek and investigate the essence of the festival.

פי' שהמשיך מועדי ה' אל בנ"י שגם המה יעוררו התעוררות שלהם כיון שהוא עת רצון בשמים.

Meaning that he drew down the festivals of the Lord to the children of Israel so that they too would awaken their own stirring, since it is a time of favor in heaven.

Moshe connected the heavenly awakening with Israel’s ability to generate their own awakening, taking advantage of the auspicious spiritual moment.

וכ' משכני אחריך נרוצה כו'.

As it is written: “Draw me; after You we will run.”

A small divine pull allows the human being to respond with greater desire and movement toward God.

שבעת שיש קצת התקרבות משמים לב"א צריכין לראות להתעורר רצון שלהם גם כן ביתר עוז ותוקף:

For when there is even a slight drawing near from heaven toward a person, they must strive to awaken their own desire with greater strength and intensity.

Any hint of divine closeness calls for the person to amplify their own yearning and spiritual effort.

Summary: The festivals bring a divine awakening of holiness, but Moshe taught Israel to respond by actively seeking and awakening their own desire. When heaven draws near, even slightly, a person must intensify their own spiritual movement.