What is this Pasuk coming to teach us?
Rashi: It teaches us that it is a Mitzvah to arrange the Yamim-Tovim 1 in such a way that all of Yisrael are able to celebrate Yom-Tov - in fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Aliyas Regel - by announcing a leap-year 2 in the event that the Galuyos have left Bavel and will arrive late in Yerushalayim. 3
Why does the Torah insert the Parshah of Yamim-Tovim, which applies to all of Yisrael, in Parshas 'Emor el ha'Kohanim'?
Why are the Musafim not mentioned in this Parshah?
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim: Because Hashem did not intend Yisrael to bring them in the desert. 1
Ramban, Moshav Zekenim: And it is only after discussing the division of Eretz Yisrael (in Bamidbar 26:53) that the Torah discusses them.
What are the connotations of "Asher Tikr'u Osam Mikra'ei Kodesh"?
Rashi: Refer to 32:35:1:1.
Ramban #1 and Seforno: The Yamim-Tovim are called "Mikra'ei Kodesh" because it is a Mitzvah to gather in the Beis ha'Keneses to publicly sanctify the day with Tefilah and Hallel, and dressed in one's finery, and to make it a day of festivity. 1
Ramban #2 (citing Targum Onkelos) and Targum Yonasan: 'An occurrence of holiness' - On whichever day they occur, sanctify them.
Ramban #3 (citing the Sifra and Targum Onkelos #2): Make them special with regard to food and drink and fine clothes. 2
Rashbam: Whenever the term 'Keri'ah' appears in connection with 'Mo'adim', it refers to the fixing of times. 3
Mechilta: "Mikra'ei Kodesh" teaches us that it is a Mitzvah to bring in Yom-Tov by reciting Kidush. 4
Ramban: As the Pasuk indicates in Nechemyah (8:10). And "Mikra'ei Kodesh" means 'called to sanctify' - as in Yeshayah, 4:5.
Ramban: Do not treat them like an ordinary day. See also Ba'al ha'Turim on Pasuk 3.
Rashbam: See for example, Eichah, 1:15. Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan also learn like this.See also 'Yayin ha'Tov', note 64.
What is the connection between this Parshah and the previous ones?
Seforno: After discussing the Korbanos and those who bring them, the purpose of which was to rest the Shechinah in Yisrael, 1 the Torah presents the laws of the Mo'ados. The purpose is to desist from mundane activities, on some (Shabbos and Yom Kipur) completely,, and on some (the other Yamim-Tovim) partially, 2 to enable us to study Torah and to indulge in holy pursuits. By doing so, one causes the Shechinah to rest in Yisrael.
Oznayim la'Torah: After discussing issues concerning Makom (location) the Torah now deals with issues concerning Z'man time).
What are the connotations of "Eileh heim Mo'adai"?
Seforno 1 : These are My festivals - if you declare them Mikra'ei Kodesh (Refer to 23:2:5:1); but if your celebrations are confined to eating, drinking and merrymaking, then they are your festivals, and I detest them. 2
Oznayim la'Torah: After mentioning the Mo'adim that are fixed by Beis-Din (the Yamim-Tvim), the Torah mentions the Mo'adim that He fixed at the creation (the Shabbasos). 3
Yerushalmi Shevi'is, 10:2: It implies 'If you adhere to the allotted times - the thirtieth or the thirty-first of the month - then they are My Mo'adim; otherwise they are not My Mo'adim.
Why is Mo'adai written Malei - with a 'Vav'?
Moshav Zekenim #1: It alludes to the six months 1 for which Sheluchim go out 2 (to inform people which day was fixed to be Rosh Chodesh. 3
Moshav Zekenim #2: Because there are six Mo'adim - Pesach, Shavu'os, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kipur, Sukos and Shemini Atzeres. 4
Surely this is an Asmachta, since three are due to enactments mi'de'Rabanan - Chanukah, Purim and Tish'ah be'Av! The question itself is not clear, since Mo'ed is usually written full. In this Parshah, it is Chaser only - in Pasuk 44 (PF).
See also Ba'al ha'Turim on "Mo'adei Hashem".
See Rosh Hashanah 18a
Shemini Atzeres is considered a separate Yom-Tov in six ways (See Sukah. 48a) and the last day of Pesach is not a new Yom-Tov (PF).
Why is Mo'adai written Malei - with a 'Vav'?
R. Bachye (in Pasuk 4) and Moshav Zekenim: In order to read it 'Atem' - that fixing Rosh Chodesh is determined by 'You' (the Beis-Din shel Matah). 1
R. Bachye in Pasuk 4 (citing Rosh Hashanah): Based on the fact that the Torah writes three times "Atem" minus a 'Vav' - here, in Pasuk 4 and in Pasuk 37, we Darshen "Atem", 'Afilu Shog'gim'; "Atem", Afilu Mezidin'; "Atem" - 'Afilu Muta'in' (if you are tricked )' - See Torah Temimah, note 19. R. Bachye and Moshav Zekenim: And when the angels of the Beis-Din shel Ma'alah ask Hashem when is Rosh Hashanah, he tells them to ask the Beis Din shel Matah. See R. Bachye - end of Pasuk 4 who elaborates.
Why is "Osam" written Chaser - minus a 'Vav'?
Moshav Zekenim: In order to read it 'Atem' - that fixing Rosh Chodesh is determined by 'You' (the Beis-Din shel Matah). 1
Rosh Hashanah, 24a: By the same token - refer to answer # - "asher Tikr'u Atem" teaches us that Beis-Din sanctify the new month by announcing 2 'Mekudash!' - and we learn from "Eileh heim Mo'adai" that the people respond with "Mo'adai" - twice, since the Torah writes "Mikra'ei Kodesh"(plural).
