Emor

The pesukim mention by the Yomim Tovim מקראי קודש, and מקרא קודש. Rashi explains this is an “expression of holiness,” which means one needs to sanctify the Yomim Tovim with food, drink, clean clothes, and davening. On Yom Kippur when we fast, we sanctify it with clean clothes and davening.

The Rashbam brings that Onkelos translates it as “מערע קדיש” and explains that any lashon of קריאה by מועדים means to set the time when the Yom Tov will occur. The Nesinah LaGer explains this is because the times for the Yomim Tovim are dependent upon Beis Din. Whenever they accept witnesses and announce Rosh Chodesh is when it will be Rosh Chodesh, and based on that day the Yomim Tovim will fall out. Therefore the term מקרא קדש is stated only by Yom Tov and not Shabbos.

The Nesinah LaGer asks: The Torah states וביום השביעי שבת שבתון מקרא קדש which seems to say that Shabbos is also called מקרא קדש. He brings the Gra who explains that this refers to Yom Kippur and not Shabbos. The passuk starts: ששת ימים תעשה מלאכה referring to the six days of Yom Tov: 1-2 the first and last day of Pesach, 3-Shavuos, 4-Rosh HaShana, 5-first day of Succos, 6-Shemini Atzeres.  The passuk ends: וביום השביעי.. and on the seventh day…which refers to Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is singled out because it is different than the other Yomim Tovim. On all the Yomim Tovim one is permitted to do work for food related preparations. On Yom Kippur however, which is a fast day, all food preparations are forbidden. The Torah states” for six days, all the days of Yom Tov, one can do work, food preparations. However on the seventh day, on Yom Kippur, one cannot do any work, even for food preparations.

The Ramban however brings Onkelos and explains that מערע is a lashon of “happening or occurrence.” Raboseinu say “Make holy these occurrences, these days, with food, drink, and clean clothes, different than other days of the week.” This definition fits equally for both Yom Tov and Shabbos.

The Ramban explains קריאה as “calling” literally. It refers to calling and gathering everyone to make the day holy. There is mitzva for Yisrael to gather together in Shul to sanctify the day publicly with davening and Hallel, as well as with clean clothes and special food.

May Hashem help us elevate our Yomim Tovim by sanctifying them with eating, drinking, clean clothes, and davening.