Numbers 28:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moreover, an additional celebration complements the first feast, almost intertwining their respective periods, as noted in the book of Numbers. In the initial month, in accordance with the Jewish ordinance, the lamb was sacrificed, while in the subsequent months, it became customary to gather the fruits of the harvest, specifically the earliest of the husked crops and the freshly cut sheaves of grain when the bread was prepared. Thus, the time for new fruits signifies the season during which the harvest is collected from the fields. This feast, it is stated, is purposeful and must be observed in a lawful manner, free from toil and exhaustion; during such festivities, it is expected that individuals refrain from burdensome work and withdraw as much as possible from demanding tasks. Consequently, it is evident that those who honor God's sacred feast should refrain from engaging in shameful and grievous sins. Instead, they should embrace freedom and indulge their minds in virtuous pursuits.