Festival Prayers: Sha’ar HaRachamim: ViHasieinu

“Bestow upon us, God, our Lord, the blessing of Your appointed Festivals for life and for peace, for gladness and for joy.” This is an entirely different type of prayer than that which we say on the High Holidays, when we ask God to instill fear of Him on all His creation.

At the beginning of a story, before we know all of that is to happen, we pray that God will guide the world by instilling fear of Him on all. However, on a festival, when we take stock of what has happened, and look back on the stories that have been completed, we do not focus on fear, but on a simple request that God bestow His blessings upon us. (Sha’ar HaRachamim/Maggid Tzedek)