Sanctity of Festivals

במצות קריאת ההלל דאיתא במד' בכל קראנו אליו המה היו"ט שנק' מקראי קודש שיכולין בימים הללו לקרוא הקדושה ולהתדבק בו ית'.

“In the mitzvah of reciting Hallel, as it says in the Midrash: ‘Whenever we call to Him’—these are the festivals that are called ‘holy convocations,’ through which, on these days, we are able to call forth holiness and cleave to the Blessed One.”

The Sefat Emet teaches that Hallel expresses the unique spiritual power of the festivals, enabling a person to awaken holiness and attach themselves to God.

כדאיתא בזוה"ק בקשו פני אלו זמנייא וחגייא.

“As stated in the Zohar: ‘Seek My face’—these are the sacred times and festivals.”

The festivals themselves are a revelation of the Divine Presence, inviting seekers to encounter God.

ובזמן המקדש הי' מתקיים בפועל ממש לראות פני ה'.

“And in the time of the Temple, this was fulfilled literally—to see the face of God.”

During the Temple era, the encounter with God was manifest and tangible.

ועתה מתקיים בפה ע"י ההלל שהוא התגלות הקדושה.

“And now it is fulfilled through the mouth—through Hallel, which is a revelation of holiness.”

With the Temple gone, the spoken praise of Hallel becomes the vehicle for experiencing Divine revelation.

וצריכין להאמין כי באלה הימים מתגלה כל הארת הנסים שעשה עמנו השי"ת בזמן חירותנו.

“And we must believe that on these days all the radiance of the miracles that God performed for us in the time of our freedom is revealed.”

The sanctity of the festival days reawakens the original miracle‑light of the Exodus.

ומתן תורתנו.

“And [also] the radiance of the giving of our Torah.”

Festival days also renew the illumination of Sinai and the gift of Torah.

ובזה יכולין להוושע כמ"ש והי' אמונת עתיך חוסן ישועות ע"י האמונה באלה המועדים שנתן לנו השי"ת.

“And through this we can be saved, as it is written: ‘And the faith of your times shall be a storehouse of salvation’—through faith in these festivals that God has given us.”

Belief in the sanctity of the festivals becomes a source of spiritual rescue and strength.

מכלל שאמרו חז"ל המבזה המועדות כעובד ע"ז דכ' אלהי מסכה לא תעשה חג המצות תשמור.

“Hence the Sages said: One who disgraces the festivals is like one who serves idolatry, as it is written: ‘You shall not make molten gods’—immediately followed by ‘You shall keep the Festival of Matzot.’”

The Torah links rejecting the festivals to idolatry, showing how central the festivals are to true worship.

א"כ המאמין במועדות מתדבק בהקב"ה בלי מסך מבדיל.

“Thus, one who believes in the festivals cleaves to the Holy One, blessed be He, with no separating barrier.”

Faithful observance of the festivals directly unites a person with God, unobstructed.

The Sefat Emet teaches that the festivals are moments of direct access to Divine holiness. Through Hallel and faith in the sanctity of these days, one reconnects with the original revelations of the Exodus and Sinai, forging an unmediated bond with God.