שבעת ימים תקריבו אשה. ואם איננו שוה כאשה חג הפסח: SEVEN DAYS YE SHALL BRING AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE. Even though it is not the same as the offering made by fire that is brought on Passover.225The Torah tells us that on Passover and Sukkot the Jews are to bring an offering made by fire. However, there is a difference in the sacrifices offered on Passover and Sukkot. Thus an offering made by fire does not refer to a specific sacrifice.
עצרת הוא. יש אומרים שטעמו קהלה כטעם עצרת בוגדים והטעם התחברות כל ישראל לשלש רגלים ולא דברו נכונה כי הנה כתוב בפסח וביום השביעי עצרת וכתיב ופנית בבקר והלכת לאהליך והקרוב שהוא כמו נעצר לפני ה׳ שיהיה בטל מכל עסקי העולם ופירוש עצרת הוא כל מלאכת עבודה לא תעשו וכן כתוב בעצרת מועד הפסח: IT IS A DAY OF SOLEMN ASSEMBLY. Some say that atzeret (solemn assembly) means an assembly as in azteret bogedim (an assembly of treacherous men) (Jer. 9:1). Azteret refers to the gathering of all of Israel on the three pilgrimage festivals. However, they did not speak correctly, for look, Scripture states with regard to Passover, and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly (atzeret) (Deut. 16:8). However, it also states and thou shalt turn in the morning,226On the second day of Passsover. See I.E. on Deut. 16:7 (Vol. 5, p. 112). and go unto thy tents (Deut. 16:7).227There was thus no gathering of all Israel on the seventh day of Passover. Yet the Torah refers to this day as an atzeret. It appears that atzeret is similar to netzar (detained)228Or held back. From the root ayin, tzadi, resh. in detained before the Lord (I Sam. 21:8). Atzeret means that the Israelite shall not be involved in any worldly affairs.229The Israelite shall hold himself back from doing work. The meaning of atzeret is, ye shall do no manner of servile work.230Ye shall do no manner of servile work explains the term atzeret. Scripture writes similarly with regard to the atzeret of the festival of Passover.231Deut. 16:8 reads: “And on the seventh day [of Passover] shall be an azeret…thou shall do no work therein.”