Sifra Emor Chapter 15

¹1) I might think that (the above) are permitted (to be brought on the festival, but are not mandatory); it is, therefore, written (of the same) (Bamidbar 29:39) "These you shall offer to the L–rd on your festivals." If to permit, they have already been permitted (according to our assumption). If so, why is the latter stated? To make them mandatory — that all of them must be brought on the festival. ²2) I might think (that he could bring them) on any festival that he desired. It is, therefore, written (Devarim 12:5-6) "And you shall come there (to the Temple) and you shall bring there" (the same). If to permit, it had already been permitted. If to make mandatory, it has already been made mandatory. If so, why is it written? (To make it mandatory for him to bring them) on the first festival (of the three festivals) that arrives (after they were due). ³3) I might think that if one festival passed and he did not bring them, he transgresses (Devarim 23:22) "You shall not delay (to pay it.") It is, therefore, written (Bamidbar 29:29) "These shall you offer to the L–rd on your festivals." He does not transgress "You shall not delay" until all the (three) festivals of the year have passed. R. Shimon says: Three consecutive festivals, with the festival of matzoth first. ⁴4) How so? It he vowed before Pesach, (he does not transgress) until Pesach, Shavuoth, and Succoth have passed. If he vowed before Shavuoth, (he does transgress) with Shavuoth, Succoth, Pesach, Shavuoth, and Succoth have passed. If he vowed before Succoth, he does not transgress until Succoth, Pesach, Shavuoth, and Succoth have passed. ⁵5) (Vayikra 23:39) ("But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather the produce of the land, you shall calibrate the festival of the L–rd seven days; on the first day a resting and on the eighth day a resting.") Beth Shammai say: I might think that the chagigah (olath re'iah [burnt-offering of "visitation"]) could be offered on the festival (itself); it is, therefore, written "But" (a term of exclusion). On the moed (the intermediate days of the festival) you offer the chagigah, but not on the festival (itself). Beth Hillel say: I might think that the chagigah could be offered on the Sabbath; it is, therefore, written "But." On the festival you may offer the chagigah, but not on the Sabbath. ⁶6) "when you gather the produce of the land": Intercalate the year (if necessary) so that the festival occur when you gather the fruits. ⁷7) I might think, when all the fruits are gathered. It is, therefore, written (Devarim 16:13) "from your threshing floor and from your winepress." "From your threshing floor," and not all of your threshing floor; "from your winepress," and not all of your winepress. If "from your threshing floor and from your winepress, I would think (even the lesser) part of them; it is, therefore, written "when you gather the produce of the land." How so? Exert yourselves to intercalate the year in such a manner that the festival falls out with most of the gathering of all of the fruits. ⁸8) "you shall celebrate the festival of the L–rd seven days": seven days for "making up" (omission of the chagigah offering on the first day [see beginning of Chapter 17]). "on the first day, a resting": from labor. "and on the eighth day, a resting": from labor.