what are the two names (one agricultural and one historical/national) for this holiday?

Answer: Chag haSukkot in honor of the sukkot (booths/shelters) that Hashem provided for us in the desert AND Chag HeAseef in honor of all the crops that we are gathering in and storing in jars and pantries and sheds for the winter. 

 

If Hashem took care of the Jewish nation around-the-year for 40 years, why did G-d "schedule" that holiday, celebratiuing that protection and care, on the same day as the agricultural holiday which obviously needs to be now before the Winter? And why is this agricultural holiday on the 15th of the month specifically? Pesach, we understand, must be on the 15th because that is the actual historical anniversary of Yetziat Mitzrayim, but why does this need to be on the 15th?

 

One idea here might be that Hashem wants to teach us, and have us internalize, that Hashem is behind all of our wealth and success in the fields. The farm did well this year because Hashem gave rain and held back diseases that plants can get. We must not think כוחי ועוצם ידי עשה לי את החיל הזה...  And in order to bring G-d into that celebration, He paired it with the more obvious "He provided shelter for us" holiday. We must never forget that the historical/national G-d is the same G-d who provides us with rain and food. 

And why the 15th? maybe because that fullness of the moon is a great backdrop for the fullness we feel, and again, we look up and see the moonlight G-d provides and we realize that Hashem is always giving us "light" in many different ways, one of which is success in our fields and businesses.  

 

One more question: why is this the holiday where we are commanded to "be happy"? The mitzvah "to rejoice" is within the context of this holiday...but of course we'll be happy! We are putting away food from the Winter and feeling good about our crops etc. Why do we need to be commanded ושמחת בחגיך and והייתם אך שמח and ושמחתם לפני ה ?? We should have that commandment in a different holiday...not here!

 

Possible Answer: maybe "rejoice" does not mean simply "be happy"...simcha is about a contentment that comes with seeing G-d in our lives. The mitzvah here for our happiness to be G-d centered. rejoice that you have this food - but make that happiness include acknowledgement that it comes from G-d and thanks to Him. That is true simcha!

 

May we all work hard to see G-d and feel G-d in our successes and daily lives, and may that awareness bring true, deep joy!

what are the two names (one agricultural and one historical/national) for this holiday?

Answer: Chag haSukkot in honor of the sukkot (booths/shelters) that Hashem provided for us in the desert AND Chag HeAseef in honor of all the crops that we are gathering in and storing in jars and pantries and sheds for the winter. 

 

If Hashem took care of the Jewish nation around-the-year for 40 years, why did G-d "schedule" that holiday, celebratiuing that protection and care, on the same day as the agricultural holiday which obviously needs to be now before the Winter? And why is this agricultural holiday on the 15th of the month specifically? Pesach, we understand, must be on the 15th because that is the actual historical anniversary of Yetziat Mitzrayim, but why does this need to be on the 15th?

 

One idea here might be that Hashem wants to teach us, and have us internalize, that Hashem is behind all of our wealth and success in the fields. The farm did well this year because Hashem gave rain and held back diseases that plants can get. We must not think כוחי ועוצם ידי עשה לי את החיל הזה...  And in order to bring G-d into that celebration, He paired it with the more obvious "He provided shelter for us" holiday. We must never forget that the historical/national G-d is the same G-d who provides us with rain and food. 

And why the 15th? maybe because that fullness of the moon is a great backdrop for the fullness we feel, and again, we look up and see the moonlight G-d provides and we realize that Hashem is always giving us "light" in many different ways, one of which is success in our fields and businesses.  

 

One more question: why is this the holiday where we are commanded to "be happy"? The mitzvah "to rejoice" is within the context of this holiday...but of course we'll be happy! We are putting away food from the Winter and feeling good about our crops etc. Why do we need to be commanded ושמחת בחגיך and והייתם אך שמח and ושמחתם לפני ה ?? We should have that commandment in a different holiday...not here!

 

Possible Answer: maybe "rejoice" does not mean simply "be happy"...simcha is about a contentment that comes with seeing G-d in our lives. The mitzvah here for our happiness to be G-d centered. rejoice that you have this food - but make that happiness include acknowledgement that it comes from G-d and thanks to Him. That is true simcha!

 

May we all work hard to see G-d and feel G-d in our successes and daily lives, and may that awareness bring true, deep joy!