From the Particular to the Universal: The Architecture of the Jewish Calendar

Pesach is particular to the Jewish people. Shibud Mitzrayim, culminating in Yetzias Mitzrayim, created a nation set apart with a monotheistic Deity and calling.

The Jewish calendar itself begins with the Exodus, because that was when Jewish history truly got underway. It culminated in a special set of laws given to the Jewish people at Mattan Torah, which Chazal associate with Shavuos.

Once our national identity has been established and fortified, we turn outward.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are universal holidays. They are set to the universal calendar. The Mishnah speaks of kol bo'ei olam; and malchiyos, zichronos, and shofaros consistently reference all of mankind. Yom Kippur incorporates the story of Yonah, which is a story about a gentile nation. 

Sukkos too incorporates the seventy bulls, which Chazal understand as corresponding to the seventy nations.

The underlying idea seems to be that first we need to delimit and forge a strong national identity and mission, lest we become lost through assimilation. Only once that identity has been firmly established can we safely turn outward and spread our message to the world.

Aleinu follows a similar pattern. Its first paragraph focuses on what distinguishes us with regard to our particular beliefs and convictions. The second paragraph then turns outward, toward a worldwide embrace of God.

Eretz Yisrael itself is situated in the middle of the ancient world, somewhat set off but also optimally positioned for the effective spread of monotheistic influence.

Indeed, all of biblical history can be viewed as a series of failures of universalism, from the Flood to the Tower of Babel. The solution is a small, defined core capable of preserving and ultimately spreading ethical monotheism: “mamleches kohanim v'goy kadosh”. This began with Avraham and was solidified through shibud Mitzrayim, yetzias Mitzrayim, and Mattan Torah. Once that core has been sufficiently fortified, it can safely turn outward and spread the message that was intended for everyone all along.

The annual Jewish holiday calendar reflects this same movement: it begins with the creation of the Jewish people and the establishment of their ideals, and then progresses outward toward all humanity.