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Parashat Emor starts by discussing the laws of being Tamei and Tahor, but then progresses to discuss our holidays. When describing Yom Kippur, the Pasuk states, “Ach Be’Asor LaChodesh HaShvi’i HaZeh Yom HaKippurim Hu Mikra Kodesh Yihyeh Lachem Ve’Initem Et Nafshoteichem VeHikravtem Isheh LaHashem,” “Ach on the tenth day of this seventh month it is Yom HaKippurim you shall make it a designated day for yourselves and you shall restrain yourselves and bring a sacrifice to Hashem” (VaYikra 23:27). In this statement, the word “Ach” seems a little peculiar. Rashi claims that it signifies an exclusion. In this scenario, it excludes those who unfortunately do not do Teshuvah. However, the Ramban says that “Ach” presents multiple different ways of reading this Pasuk. The first is the theme that Yom Kippur is a unique day. Yom Kippur is the only day designated to do Teshuvah, to seal one’s fate, etc. Second, the Ramban says, the word “Ach” represents the theme of knowledge. One must recognize that this day is Yom Kippur, that is the reason one is going to fast and going to daven for their lives. One would simply know because that is the nature of the day, Yom Kippur.
However, this isn’t the only strange wording we see regarding Yom Kippur in Parashat Emor. In fact, in the very next Pasuk states “VeChol Melachah Lo Ta’asu Be’Etzem HaYom HaZeh Ki Yom Kippurim Hu Lechapeir Aleichem Lifnei HaShem Elokeichem,” “And do not do any work on this day because it is a day of atonement to have all forgiven for before Hashem” (VaYikra 23:28). In this case, the word “Etzem” is a little mysterious. The Ramban says that “Etzem” refers to a strength in power. It denotes that there is a certain power of the day. But what is that power? That power has a certain way of granting Kapparah. Yom Kippur has a certain degree of giving us built in Kapparah from the day, whereas on a normal day, we have to work very hard to achieve it. Rav Soloveitchik mentions that the power of the day and the Simchah of the day are connected. When the power of the day gives us Kapparah, it’s undoing the things that made us further from Hashem. Because we are getting closer to Hashem on this day, we are happy, which is why it is a Yom Simchah.