If we take a look at the Musaf prayer of the 3 festivals we see a difference in the Korbonos (sacrifices). At both Pesach & Succos the concept of offering the sacrifice on the Mizbeach is introduced before the mention of Mikra Kodesh- a Holy Convocation, whereby the day itself becomes holy. Regarding Pesach offering the sacrifice is mentioned in Bamidbar 28:18, and Mikra Kodesh is mentioned in the next Posuk 28:19, and at Succos Mikra Kodesh is mentioned in Posuk 29:12 and the offering is in 29:13. When it comes to Shavuos it mentions the offering first in 28:13 and later in the same pasuk Mikra Kodesh. Why does the order change by Shavuos?
This is also reflected in this week’s sidra too. Pesach:
בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם - On the first day, there shall be a holy occasion for you… (23:7)
‘וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה לַה - And you shall bring a fire offering to the Lord… (23:8)
Succos:
בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ - On the first day, it is a holy occasion; you shall not perform any work of labor. (23:35)
‘שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תַּקְרִיבוּ אִשֶּׁה לַה – [For] a seven day period, you shall bring a fire offering to the Lord. (23:36)
Succos and Pesach have the day called “a holy occasion” before the offering is mentioned. But by Shavuos:
עַד מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת הַשְּׁבִיעִת תִּסְפְּרוּ חֲמִשִּׁים יוֹם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה לַה- You shall count until the day after the seventh week, [namely,] the fiftieth day, [on which] you shall bring a new meal offering to the Lord. (23:16)
וּקְרָאתֶם בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם – And you shall designate on this very day a holy occasion it shall be for you (23:21)
This (Vayikra) in consistent with the order given in Bamidbar, but why the marked difference by Shavuos to other Yomim Tovim?
There is a big difference between the festivals of Pesach and Succos in contrast to Shavuos. By the Festivals, there is a concept called מקדש ישראל והזמנים – whereby Hashem tell us that we have power over the times of the festivals. This is not a concept found by Shabbos, which was set in stone from Creation, whereby every 7th day is holy. Festivals are based on when Rosh Chodesh, which is entirely flexible, based on when the Sanhedrin decided to start the new month (more info here).
Pesach and Succos are based on Rosh Chodesh – the 15th day of the Rosh Chodesh proclaimed by the Sanhedrin is called mikra kodesh – because we have said when Rosh Chodesh is, the 15th day automatically becomes set aside. It follows that to honour this day we bring an offering. The offering follows the holiness of the day.
However, by Shavuos, 23:16 says that the moment you finish counting you bring an offering. Since there is an obligation to bring an offering, the day becomes holy as a result. But it is not based on Rosh Chodesh Sivan at all, rather it is based on the 49 days of counting.
This explains the order of the psukim perfectly. By Pesach and Succos, (the primary) mikra kodesh is based on Rosh Chodesh, and the offering is the follow up. But by Shavuos, the offering is the primary feature which is based on counting the Omer, and mikra kodesh is the follow up.
There is a Gemara in Shabbos about Kabbalas HaTorah that Shavuos can occur on either 4th,5th,6th of Sivan. How can this occur at any juncture, and not be specified in the Torah (ie 15th of the month). As we have explained, Shavuos is based entirely on the counting and not on a calendar day at all.
The Ramban writes that Shavuos is to Pesach as Shemini Atzeres is to Succos, and the 49 days of sefira in the middle are like it’s chol hamoed. The commentators wonder what this means, but now that we know that Shavuos is not made holy by the day itself, but by the counting of the days from Pesach, we understand the meaning of this Ramban.
The Ibn Ezra says that the word “Chamishim” is like the Yom HaShmini. The commentators have difficulty understanding the meaning of this Ibn Ezra and try to explain it according to Kabbalah. According to what we said it’s exceedingly simple; just like Shemini Atzeres is an automatic follow up from when the first day of Succos is, so is Shavuos solely based on the passage of time from when we start counting the Omer.
