Kapłańska 23:39 Midrasz: Sifra & Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael

1) (Vayikra 23:33-34) "And the L–rd spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd." What is the intent of this? (i.e., it is essentially stated in verse 39). Because it is written (Vayikra 23 verse 42) "In Succoth shall you sit seven days, and I do not know if the first seven days or seven other days, "On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the festival of Succoth, seven days to the L–rd," I see that the first seven days are referred to, and not seven others.

5) (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.

6) "when you gather the produce of the land": Intercalate the year (if necessary) so that the festival occur when you gather the fruits.