Question of the Week
Why on earth do we still keep two days of Yomtov outside of Israel? I know the history: in ancient times people didn't have calendars on their phones, because the calendar was not set in advance, but rather month by month. When witnesses saw the new moon they reported it to the rabbis in the Temple, and the rabbis would declare that a new month had begun. It would take a couple of weeks for the message to reach outlying communities, so they could never be sure of the correct date to celebrate the festivals. So the Diaspora communities kept two days to be on the safe side.
That made sense back then, but for heavens sake, we have calendars today! Why do we still keep two days in the Diaspora for every festival that is one day in Israel?
For me, this is one of the most ridiculous laws. It's like the World Jewish Council of Rabbis can't be bothered to overturn it or discuss it. Or perhaps they fear a backlash from Jewish bakers, butchers and grocers around the world who like having more Jewish festivals with more meals....
Can't we update this one already?
Answer:
I remember I had a teacher who had very little patience. If a student missed out on what he said, he got furious and thundered, "Why can't you listen the first time? I will not repeat myself."
This is not fair. Not everyone can grasp an idea all at once. Some gifted individuals are sharp enough to get it the first time. But many of us need to hear something twice before it sinks in. A good teacher should know this.
G-d is the greatest teacher, and time itself is His classroom. Every festival in the Jewish calendar is like a lesson G-d teaches to the world. On Pesach we learn about freedom, and G-d beams a light of liberty into the world. On Sukkos we study the meaning of true happiness, and G-d sends the gift of joy into our hearts. Each festival and its observances are the way we receive the lesson, the light and wisdom of the day.
When you live in the Holy Land, the very air makes you wise, and opens you up to spiritual wisdom. Like a gifted student, you get the lesson the first time. You need only celebrate one day of each festival, and its message hits home straight away.
In the Diaspora, we just don't get it so fast. We need more time for the lesson to sink in, as the air here is not as spiritually refined as the holy air of Israel. And so we are given a second day, another chance to fully absorb the power of the festival and for the message to hit home.
Our sages prophesied that one day in the future, the holiness of Israel will cover the entire earth, and then we will all get it the first time. Until then, we in the Diaspora can enjoy the extended holiness of an extra day.
Does this all make sense? If not, I am happy to repeat it.
Good Shabbos and Good Yomtov,
Rabbi Moss
Source:
Likkutei Torah Shmini Atzeres 92c
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