Midrash su Levitico 23:3

1) Above (Vayikra 23:2), intercalation of the year is being spoken of, and here (Vayikra 22:4) sanctification of the month is being spoken of. If (the moon) were seen clearly, or witnesses came and testified (to that effect) before them (beth-din), and they were unable to proclaim "It is intercalated until it became dark — whence is it derived that it is intercalated? From "which you shall call (them) in their times." If you called them, they are My festivals. If not, they are not My festivals.

2) If they sanctified it (erroneously) without witnesses, or if witnesses came and testified and were found to be scheming witnesses, whence is it derived that it is sanctified? From which you shall call (them) in their times." If you called them, they are My festivals. If not, they are not My festivals.

3) If they sanctified it perforce or unwittingly or mistakenly, whence is it derived that it is (nevertheless) sanctified? From which you shall call (them) in their times. "them" — even mistakenly; them — even perforce.

4) If they sanctified it before its time or one day after its intercalation, I might think that it were sanctified; it is, therefore, written "these are the festivals." And not those.

5) I might think that just as they intercalate the year and the month to answer some special need, so they can sanctify the month to answer some special need. It is, therefore, written (Shemoth 12:2) "This month is for you" — the month is to be followed.

6) I might think that if two days were needed (for intercalation of the month instead of one), they could be added; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 23:6) ("And on the fifteenth) day of this month (is the festival of matzoth") — only one day can be added. And whence is it derived that the Sabbath may be desecrated (by the messengers to come to beth-din and) to testify about them? From "These are the festivals of the L–rd (which you shall call in their [proper] times.")

7) (Vayikra 23:3) ("Six days shall work be done, and on the seventh day is a Sabbath of resting, a calling of holiness. All work you shall not do; it is a Sabbath to the L–rd in all of your dwellings.") What does the Sabbath have to do with (the section on) festivals? To teach that all who desecrate the festivals are considered as having desecrated the Sabbaths, and that all who keep the festivals are considered as having kept the Sabbath.

7) I might think that just as the Sabbath may be desecrated to testify about it (the moon), so, it may be desecrated to apprise (the exiles of it) so that they can observe (the festivals on their proper times); it is, therefore, written "which you shall call" — You may desecrate the Sabbath for calling (i.e., sanctifying) it, but not for apprising (the exiles of it).

8) And whence is it derived that if Yom Kippur fell on a Sabbath and he unwittingly performed a (forbidden) labor that he is liable for each (day) in itself? From "It is Sabbath," (Vayikra 23:27) "It is Yom Kippur." These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Yossi says: He is liable only for one.

(Bamidbar 15:2) "Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When you come to the land of your settlings which I give to you, etc.": Scripture comes to teach us that Israel were obligated to bring libations (with their offerings) only after inheritance and settlement (of the land [viz. Ibid. 15:5]). You say after inheritance and settlement, but perhaps immediately upon their entry to the land. It is, therefore, written (Devarim 17:14) "When you come to the land that the L-rd your G-d gives to you, and you inherit it and you settle in it, etc." Since "comings" are mentioned in the Torah unqualified, and in one instance (above) it is specified, after inheritance and settlement, so all ("comings" are understood as) after inheritance and settlement, which teaches us that wherever "settlings" is written, after inheritance and settling is understood. These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva queried him: But in respect to Shabbath it is written "settlings" (viz. Vayikra 23:3), and it obtains both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it! R. Yishmael replied: If "lighter" mitzvoth obtain both in the land and outside it, how much more so, Shabbath, the "graver." And it ("settlings") comes to teach that in an individual altar ("bamah") there is no obligation to bring libations. R. Akiva says: Scripture comes to teach us that libations are to be offered on a bamah. Abba Channan says in the name of R. Eliezer: Why is this ("When you come to the land") written? For it would follow, since we find that the vessels of the Temple were more than those of the tent of meeting (viz. I Kings 7:27), so, the libations of the Temple were more than those of the tent of meeting; it is, therefore, written (Bamidbar 15:2) "When you come … (3) and you shall offer, etc." to teach that even though there were more vessels in the Temple than in the tent of meeting, there were not more libations. (Ibid. 3) "and you shall offer a fire-offering to the L-rd": This implies that all that is offered for the fire requires libations, even a meal-offering. It is, therefore, written "a burnt-offering." This tells me only of a burnt-offering (that it requires libations). Whence do I derive (the same for) peace-offerings? From "a sacrifice." Whence do I derive (the same for) a thank-offering? From "or a sacrifice." This would imply (that libations are required) for these as well as for first-born, tithe, Pesach and guilt-offering. It is, therefore, written "for an expressed vow or as a guilt-offering." Scripture speaks only of offerings that are brought as vow and gift. — But this would imply that I exclude them (from libations) as well as mandatory festival offerings! — It is, therefore, written "or in your festivals," to include these (as requiring libations). — But this would imply (that libations are required for) burnt-offerings and mandatory peace-offerings that are brought on festivals, and for a mandatory sin-offering that is brought on festivals! — It is, therefore, written (Ibid. 15;8) "And if you offer a bullock as a burnt-offering or as a sacrifice." "Bullock" was included in the general category (of offerings) and departed from it (for specific mention) to teach about the category, viz.: Just as "bullock," which is brought for vow or gift (requires libations, so, all (offerings) that are brought for vow or gift require libations) — to exclude sin-offerings and guilt-offerings, which are not brought for vow or gift.