The Torah commands in Parashat Emor (Vayikra 23:35) that the first day of Sukkot must be observed as a “Mikra Kodesh” (“sacred occasion”), referring to a time of cessation of Melacha (constructive work). In that same verse, the Torah issues a prohibition against performing Melacha on this day (“Kol Melechet Aboda Lo Ta’asu”). Thus, performing work on the first day of Sukkot (like on other days of Yom Tob) is forbidden by force of both an affirmative command to observe this day as a “Mikra Kodesh,” and a prohibition directly forbidding Melacha. These commands apply in all times and places, and to both men and women. Normally, women are exempt from “Misvot Aseh She’ha’zman Gerama” – affirmative commands which apply only in certain times. The Misvat Aseh to refrain from Melacha on Yom Tob, however, is associated with the Misvat Lo Ta’aseh (Biblical prohibition) against performing Melacha, and so it is binding even upon women. As women are included in all Misvot Lo Ta’aseh, there are included also in the affirmative command to observe Yom Tob as a “Mikra Kodesh,” which is linked to an associated Misvat Lo Ta’aseh. The reason for this prohibition, as discussed in earlier contexts, is to allow us the time and peace of mind to focus our attention on the miracles which the Yom Tob commemorates. Since we abstain from Melacha, we are not preoccupied with work, and we are thus able to think about and reflect upon the events celebrated on the Yom Tob. The Torah here also adds the command to offer special sacrifices on each of the seven days of Sukkot (“Shibat Yamim Takribu Isheh L’Hashem” – 23:36). This refers to the Musaf offering, which is described by the Torah in Parashat Pinhas (Bamidbar 29:12-34). The Musaf offering brought on Sukkot included a large number of Parim (bulls) – 13 on the first day, 12 on the second day, 11 on the third day, and so on, with one fewer bull being offered each day. In all, seventy bulls were offered over the course of Sukkot (13+12+11+10+9+8+7). The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that in the merit of these sacrifices, the 70 enemy nations were “diminished,” just as the number of bulls was reduced each day. The Musaf sacrifice on Sukkot also included a goat as a sin-offering. The Gaon of Vilna (1720-1797) noted that in reference to the first, second and fourth days of Sukkot, this goat is called a “Se’ir Izim” (Bamidbar 29:16,19,25), whereas in reference to all other days of Sukkot, it is called simply a “Se’ir” (29:22,28,31,34). The Gaon explained that on the first, second and fourth days of Sukkot, a total of 35 bulls were offered (13+12+10) – the same number that was offered on the other four days (11+9+8+7). These two groups of days, the Gaon said, thus correspond to the two general groups of enemy nations – those under the leadership of Edom, and those under the leadership of Yishmael. The Zohar writes that the word “Se’ir” alludes to Esav, the founder of the kingdom of Edom, and thus the days regarding which the word “Se’ir” is mentioned without the word “Izim” correspond to the nations of Edom. The other days correspond to the nations of Yishmael. Immediately after commanding the offering of the Musaf each day of Sukkot, the Torah commands observing the eighth day – which we call Shemini Aseret – as a “Mikra Kodesh,” when work is forbidden. Like the observance of the other days of Yom Tob, this command applies in all times and places, and to both men and women, as discussed above.