Rabbi Yoshiya began: “Happy are the people who know the blast; they walk, Lord, in the light of Your countenance” (Psalms 89:16). Rabbi Abahu interpreted the verse regarding five elders who convene to intercalate the year. What does the Holy One blessed be He do? He leaves His Heavenly Council on High and contracts His Divine Presence in their midst below.
The ministering angels say: ‘Is this the Mighty? Is this the Mighty? Is this the God? Is this the God?9Is this appropriate conduct for the mighty God?
Does He, in whose regard it is written: “The Almighty is revered in the great assembly of the holy” (Psalms 89:8), leave His Heavenly Council on High and contract His Divine Presence in their midst below?’ Why to that extent? So that if they err regarding a matter of halakha, He will illuminate their countenance.10God’s presence is in their midst in order to ensure that they do not err. Alternatively, it is because even if they do err, God will ratify their decision (see Etz Yosef).
That is what is written: “They walk, Lord, in the light of Your countenance.” Rabbi Yoshiya said: It is written: “Happy are the people who know the blast.” Are there no nations of the world who know how to sound a blast? How many horns do they have?
How many trumpets do they have? How many bugles do they have? Yet you say: “Happy are the people who know the blast”? It is, rather, that they know how to appease their Creator with the blast.
He rises from His throne of justice and becomes filled with mercy toward them and transforms the attribute of justice to the attribute of mercy. When? In the seventh month.