Appearing Before Hashem During the Festivals

Devarim 16:16 Three times a year are all your males to be seen in the presence of Hashem, your G-d, in the place that He chooses - in the Festival of Matzot, and on the Festival of Shavuot, and on the Festival of Sukkot - and he shall not appear in Hashem's presence empty-handed.

We are commanded to appear before Hashem during the Festivals.  Every man is to go up to the Sanctuary with every male child of his that is able to walk alone, and to offer a olah-offering when he goes up.  This is called the Olah-offering of the Appearance. 

The provisions of this Mitzvah is explained in Tractate Chagigah. 

This Mitzvah is not binding on women.

The Sages declared concerning the duty of appearance in the Sanctuary at Yerushalayim on the three Festivals:

"Just as he [the pilgrim] comes to see, beholding as it were the Shechinah (Divine Presence) manifested in the Sanctuary, so he comes to be seen, presenting himself as it were to the Shechinah." (Chag. 2a)

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