The 7 Feasts of the LORD

The Moedim of YHVH

There are 7 Biblical feasts to be kept perpetually by all those grafted in Israel.

 

  • Passover (Pesach)

  • Unleaven Bread (Matzah)

  • First Fruits

  • Pentecost (Shavuot)

  • Day of Trumpet (Yom Terruah, also called Rosh Hashana)

  • Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

  • Tabernacles (Sukkot)

 In addition to these 7 feasts days two other festival are celebrated.  Remembering the times Israel was under dire circumstances and yet saw a deliverance from God despite the odds.  These two are called Lots (Purim) and Dedication (Hannukah)

Passover ( Pesach) 

HOW IT IS “KEPT” (Remembered)

 

NOW: Families or communities have a Sedar Meal that has symbolic items to remember what was done during the temple times.

  • 4 glasses of wine or grape juice are enjoyed to rember the 4 “I will…” promises of God.
  • 3 pieces of matzah are eaten, in a specific way to symbolise many different aspects.
  • Bitter Herbs and Sweet Charoset are eaten as a dip with matzah and or vegetables (celery)
  • Salt Water is dipped with Parsley and eaten
  • The Story of the Exodus is recited to pass the story to the next generation.
  • Having a Glass for Elijah, and Opening the Door for Elijah.
  • Only Matzah is eaten for 7 days commencing at this meal.

Tradionally Jews would not eat Lamb on this night, so as not to confuse anyone that this is a sacrifice.  As this meal is remberance of what was done, and NOT A SACRIFICE!

Some addition customs are:

  • Burning any remaining Chametz (Leaven Bread)
  • Lighting Candles
  • Singing (especially Di Dianu)
  • Saying Prayers in Hebrew
  • Hiding the Aficommen (chilren who find it are rewarded with a small gift or gold coin)
  • Setting a place at the table for Elijah

Unleaven Bread ( Matzah) 

Whilst the temple was standing: Unleaven Bread begins at the meal to eat the Passover lamb (at sunset) The Lamb is sacrificed and cooked, but after sunset the meal is eaten with Matzah or Unleaven Bread.  Only Unleaven Bread is eaten for 7 days from this day.

 

Now: As there is no temple, there are no sacrifices.  This feast is still remember by eating only unleavened bread for 7 days.  No Leaven is to be found in your gates so a serach of your house to find any products with leaven is conducted before passover so that all these items can be eaten or removed by this night.  

First Fruits (Ha Bikurim)

This feast was a giving of first fruits of the land – at this early time of the year only barley was harvest ready.  This offering was made up of barley.  

Symbolically Barley is linked to the house of Judah as those who were always present in holy submsion to the Lord.  

These First 3 Feasts are collectively referred to as the “Spring Feasts” as they are linked to the season of Spring in Israel and the Harvest in the Land

Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) (Pentecost)

From the Day of First Fruits 7 Weeks are counted.  This is called the counting of the Omer.  Seven Sevens, or a week of weeks, Hence the name Feast of weeks, the next day (after the 49) is Shavuot.  This is sometimes called Pentecost (from the Greek word for 50th day)  More about Shavuot is here

Day of Trumpets – Yom Terruah (Rosh Hashana)

Day of Trumpets, Day of Shouting or Day of Blowing.  These names all refer to an event during temple times.  This day is also call the Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashana.    

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

The holiest day on the Jewish calendar.  This is a day of fasting and repentance.  In fact the 10 days that lead up to this day are consider to be days of repentance, and even the whole of the preceeding month of Elul.  This the ‘day the book of judgment is closed’ the greeting for this day is therefore ‘May your name be incribed in the Book of Life” 

Tabernacles – Sukkot

Tabernacles – Booths, Dwelling in tents.   This is a week long celebration of living in or eating and studying in a sukkah.  A traditionally up to 3 sided tent with a thatched roof so you could see the stars.  This is suitable in the Holy Land as there is no rain in this season.  It commemerates Yeshua’s birth, having being born in a Sukkah, and coming to dwell with us from that time.  This Seven day celebration is culminated by an 8th day

These Last 3 Feasts are collectively referred to as the “Fall Feasts” as they are linked to the season of Fall/Autumn in Israel and the final Harvest in the Land.  

Hanukkah

Purim

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Persion Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther. Haman was the royal adviser to the Persian king Ahasuerus.