In this Aliyah, Hashem speaks to Moshe Rabbeinu, commanding him to teach Bnei Yisrael about the Moadim, the sacred appointed times. The Torah introduces these special days as "My fixed times" which Bnei Yisrael are commanded to sanctify and proclaim as holy convocations in their proper seasons.
Lichoira, before detailing the specific Yomim Tovim, the Torah immediately juxtaposes them with the mitzvah of Shabbos. The Torah emphasizes the prohibition of doing melacha on the seventh day, establishing Shabbos as a day of complete rest and a sacred occasion in all Jewish dwellings.
The Aliyah begins with Hashem commanding Moshe Rabbeinu to declare the Moadim to Bnei Yisrael as holy convocations. Immediately following this, the Torah reiterates the sanctity of Shabbos, teaching that work may be done for six days but the seventh day must be a day of complete rest. By placing Shabbos right next to the Moadim, the Torah teaches us the great chiddush that whoever desecrates the Yomim Tovim is considered as if he desecrated Shabbos, and whoever keeps the Yomim Tovim is credited as if he kept Shabbos.
The Torah is introducing the parsha of the Yomim Tovim, the Moadei Hashem, but lichoira we are immediately stopped by a major kasha. Why does the Torah start this section by telling us about Shabbos? Shabbos is already commanded elsewhere, so what is the chiddush of bringing it here in the middle of the Yomim Tovim?
Rashi brings the beautiful Chazal that answers this kasha. The Torah is coming to teach us that anyone who desecrates the Yomim Tovim is considered as if he desecrated Shabbos, and anyone who guards the Yomim Tovim is considered as if he guarded Shabbos. There is a deep yesod here for our avodah. Sometimes we treat the Yomim Tovim with a bit less seriousness than Shabbos. We know we can cook on Yom Tov, we can carry, and mimeila we might think the kedushah of the day is somehow lighter.
The Torah is telling us: No, it is the exact same kedushah. The Ribono shel Olam wants us to treat the special times of closeness, the Moadei Hashem, with the very same trembling and joy that we reserve for Shabbos Kodesh. When we elevate our Yom Tov table, when we guard our speech and our actions on these holy days, we are tapping into the ultimate source of kedushah.
Today, take one small kabbalah to elevate your next Yom Tov or Shabbos table. Before you sit down to the seudah, take two minutes to learn a quick Torah thought or halacha to share with your family, showing Hashem that His appointed times are truly precious to you.