The goal of a festival

Hi,

"Festivals are all for joy and for gatherings which provide the benefit that people need in their masses, and they also benefit by causing the love required between people in national gatherings."

(Rambam, Moreh haNevuchim 3:34)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Why we have Yom Tov

Hi,

"Festivals are days that are entirely for joy and for gatherings. They benefit us by enabling the love that is needed between people in national gatherings...causing love between people from one extreme to the other."

(Maimonides, Guide for the Perplexed 3:43)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

 

Chanukah as a biblical holiday

Hi,

"Establishing a festival on a day when a miracle occurs is a biblical mitzvah. If this is warranted for a transition from slavery to freedom, it is certainly required for transition from death to life!

"Therefore, in my humble opinion, Purim and Chanukah are biblical. However, the details of what to do - sending portions of food, or lighting flames, or creating some other memorial - is rabbinic."

(Responsa of Chatam Sofer 233)

חג אורים שמח,
Mordechai