The three festivals of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot, are known as the Moadim. The word "moed" has as its root- 'ed', which means testimony.
Each of these holidays testifies to a different historical event in the lives of the Jewish people. On Sukkot, we remember the time spent in the desert. Pesach commemorates our leaving Egypt, and Shavuot is the anniversary of our receiving the Torah. Not only are these
"moadim" but they are "moadim l'simcha". We are to joyfully recall
these milestones to our development as Am Yisrael, the Nation of Israel, each of which brought us one step closer to Hashem and His Torah.
"In the way of Your testimonies, I have been gladdened as much as over
all riches (Psalm 119, verse 14)." The word "testimonies" is written
to incorporate a second meaning- that of "ornament". Rav Hirsch explains the dual nature of the word. These commandments, that Hashem has given us as testimonies to the essential truths of Israel's life, beautify and ennoble the individual who passionately, joyfully and conscientiously observes them. We are both beautified and enriched by our Moadim, by the gifts that Hashem has so generously bestowed.
Chag Kosher v'Sameach.
Reprinted from Rachel Lerner's Tehillim Thought of the Day.