“ THOSE WHO FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS WILL HAVE THE GREATEST LEVELS OF JOY , WHICH IS INEVITABLY THE MOST ATTRACTIVE .”
Five days following Yom Kippur is Sukkot , the feast of booths . It is the most joyous of the festivals ( Dt 16:15 ). Why such great joy ? In a way , given Yom Kippur ’ s sanctity , shouldn ’ t there be the greatest of joy , say , following the fast and all the sacrifices and subsequent forgiveness and cleansing ? Moreover , if Yom Kippur is the most important of all the holidays , why isn ’ t it on the 15th of Tishrei , the 7th month , just like Passover is on the 15th of Nissan ( Aviv ), the 1st month ?
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The moon is brightest on the 15th of the month ; all those congregating are able to have their joy at the fullest because each one ’ s face is the most visible . Passover is on the 15th of the month ( certainly , this makes it easier to get out of Egypt ), but Yom Kippur is on the 10th of the month . What happened on the 10th of Nissan ? The children of Israel took their lamb that was about to be sacrificed to ensure their whole family ’ s freedom . Taking the lamb is truly significant , but the main purpose is so that the people have it ready for the 15th , the day when God takes His people to be His own . Likewise , Yom Kippur , however significant , serves to get us ready for a time of intimacy with our God .