Yahweh's Feasts
What should you do when you learn there
are Biblical holy days that you should be observing now? How do you know when
they should be kept and where do you keep them? These and other important
questions are answered here. There are scriptural holy days that the True
Worshiper is commanded to keep, rather than the paganistic ones most of the
world indulges in today.
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Thoughtful
people who study their Bible in earnest soon raise the question, should not we
also be observing the annual Feast days today in addition to the weekly
Sabbath?
Are these days indeed still binding on Yahweh’s people
in today’s modern ages? If we are to observe these times, where do we gather to
keep them? What do we do at the Feasts? What time of the year are we to observe
them? How long are they?
Abraham, Father of the Faithful
All
who have entered into the New Covenant with Yahweh are to have the same
attitude of faithful Abraham who did not flinch from doing Yahweh’s will, for “Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge,
My commandments, My statutes, and My laws,” Genesis 26:5.
Abraham departed
He was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, tithes to
Melchizedek, pioneered circumcision, and was faithful in his obedience to
Yahweh. Abraham is rightly known as the “Father of the faithful.”
Feast Days Everlasting
The
Feast days were in force years before they were given to
Because of the sacrificial death and resurrection of
the Messiah, meal and animal sacrifices are now suspended. However, the times
of the Feasts days are still holy and thus remain our obligation. We each must
learn how to observe these times so we can guide and help others keep these as
well.
Yahweh’s Calendar
Every
year Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua prepares a calendar showing the Feast days
for the coming year. This sacred calendar is based upon observable new moons as
was the custom during the days of the patriarchs and when the Savior walked the
hills of
The modern Jewish calendar came into being since the
time of our Savior, and is a calculated calendar, which ignores visible new
moons. The present Jewish calendar is not very ancient, but was introduced in
the 4th century by Hillel II, with its many postponements and rabbinical
rules which are nowhere found or sanctioned in the Bible.
Feast Sites Selected
The
Elders of Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua arrange for a place for Yahweh’s people
to gather for the annual Feasts. There are seven special “Annual Sabbaths” to
be observed throughout the year. Not all are able to take time from their
secular jobs for the weeklong observance of Unleavened Bread in the spring and
another week in the fall for Tabernacles.
Most of the brethren schedule their vacations for
Tabernacles allowing time for travel, as some must travel great distances. The
Feasts fall on different days each year, depending upon the visible new moons.
[We have forms available for those requiring excused
absences for the Feast days for school or work.]
Feasts Rejuvenating
The
Feasts are special times Yahweh gives us for His worship. These times are for
our spiritual and physical rejuvenation. These are in addition to the weekly
Sabbath and a special offering is taken each annual Sabbath in accord with the
command, “You shall not appear before Me empty,” Deuteronomy
All the Feasts days are mentioned in Leviticus 23
beginning with the weekly Sabbath, the seventh day of the week known as
Saturday. The Sabbath occurs every seven days and is a holy time when we desist
from our worldly labors and pleasures. We abstain from secular activities and
spend time communing with Yahweh and studying His Word, drawing closer to Him
and His Son.
The reader is encouraged at this point to read
Leviticus 23 to gain a background of these special days.
Year Begins in the Spring
Yahweh’s new year begins with the month of Abib (Hebrew = green
ears) when vegetation stirs and starts to grow again. Unleavened Bread is the
first annual festival and immediately follows the Passover, usually in March or
April.
Passover is observed on the evening of the fourteenth
of Abib, Lev. 23:4-5. Bible days begin at sunset Lev.
Unleavened Bread
Seven
days of Unleavened Bread follow Passover, and begin on the fifteenth day of
Abib. The fifteenth is a high annual Sabbath. The last day of Unleavened Bread
which falls on Abib 21 is also a high annual Sabbath.
No bread with leaven is to be used with the Passover
Memorial service nor is any leaven to be eaten during the days of Unleavened
Bread.
All leavened products are to be removed from your
premises until after Abib 21. Don’t store anything leavened in another room.
Yahweh is here testing your obedience in asking you to discard all leavened
products such as bread, cake, and cookies. Their value is usually less than ten
dollars—a small price to pay for obedience!
Leavened Doctrine
Those
familiar with the Passover season arrange to have little leaven to discard at
this time. Leaven is symbolic of doctrine or a teaching, Matthew 16:5-12, Mark
8:15, Luke 12:1.
Leaven can portray either good or bad, not always
wickedness, sin and corruption. If it were always sin, we should never eat
leaven, nor would it be offered to Yahweh at Pentecost, Lev. 23:17. Also,
Matthew
We are to be Unleavened
The
purpose in keeping the days of unleavened bread is to examine all our doctrines
of everything we believe and clear our minds of false doctrine or teaching,
which leads to false worship. Then we are to accept and retain the
unadulterated word of the “Living Bread” given us by the Savior, John 6:51. It
is for us a spring house cleaning.
During these special days we are to eat some
unleavened bread daily to remind us that just as
Grocers often stock Jewish Passover matzohs this time
of year and ordinarily have Ry-krisp, Wheat Thins, and other unleavened
products. Unleavened recipes are available from us at YAIY, and homemade
unleavened cakes, pies, breads, cookies, can be eaten along with the fruit,
grains, nuts and vegetables one normally eats. But avoid consuming any leaven
for these seven days.
At first the above proscription to avoid leavened
products for seven days may sound a bit strange. It does test our obedience and
helps us examine food labels before ingesting food. We should know what we eat.
We understand better the reason for being “unleavened” when we perceive that we are
to examine fully all doctrines we have come to accept as truth. When we find we
have mistakenly accepted error, we are to eliminate error and replace it with
the truth of Yahweh’s word, the “unleavened
bread of sincerity and truth.” ICor. 5:8.
Yahshua, Our Passover
The
Passover and the ensuing days of Unleavened Bread are a very significant
introduction to the annual feast days. We must first accept the shed blood of
the Lamb for our sins that are past. Then we clean up our lives by examining
our doctrines. As we feed on the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth we
walk the narrow way that leads to eternal life.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts for seven days.
However, only the first and last days of Unleavened Bread are annual Sabbaths.
The intervening days are NOT annual holy days, and work may be done on them,
except for the weekly Sabbath which falls within that time.
Even though one might work on those days which are not
set apart as holy times, we should not let our daily routine keep us from
realizing the purpose of this special time. We should spend extra time in Bible
study and ingest some unleavened bread daily. This is a special time of
rejuvenation both spiritually and physically.
Spring – Beginning of New Life
This
is the beginning of Yahweh’s new year. The earth is
springing back to life as the grass greens, the trees bud, and the earth warms
up for a new period of growth. It is really a time when we also should turn
over a new leaf and determine to do better in our spiritual walk with our
Savior. The remaining five Feasts will guide us along the way.
It is never too early to teach the young the reason
for keeping these times. Most young people enjoy the challenge of participating
in wholesome adult activities and eating unleavened bread for seven days is not
at all difficult.
We Sometimes Feel Alone
Not
all families are in agreement in keeping these festivals. At times only one
individual is converted to Yahweh’s truth, and difficulties may arise. This is
not to say there will be no problems. Much depends on you in overcoming these
trials. Remember, Yahweh has called you to be His chosen representative
wherever you may be.
Perhaps you have a husband or wife or even a family
that does not follow Yahweh. Don’t let that worry you! Don’t force your will on
another. Don’t make them eat unleavened bread against their will. Yahweh is
working with YOU and this is between you and your Heavenly Father Yahweh. His
Spirit is with you, guiding and teaching you. Be a shining example for others!
Many are Called, Few are Chosen
Not
everyone is called today, even fewer are chosen, Matt. 20:16. One of a city and
two of a family will be brought to
Where the family unit serves Yahweh, all leaven is
removed from the premises during the days of Unleavened Bread. If the husband
objects, esteem him as the head of the house and do not remove the leaven.
However, a wife need not bake at this time, and can
remove all leaven from the kitchen where she works, if no objection is raised.
Allow the unconverted spouse freedom to eat leavened products if he purchases
them.
To forestall any opposition, you may wish to introduce
some unleavened products long before the feast so they will not think it
strange when you first mention it.
If the unconverted enjoy them, you can serve them the
entire week. The first annual Sabbath is the High Day of Unleavened Bread of
Abib 15 the next day after Passover. You might want to make a special effort to
have an enjoyable dinner with family members and converted friends this day in
thanks to Yahweh.
Pentecost: Feast of Weeks
The
next annual festival on Yahweh’s calendar is called Shavuoth, Firstfruits,
Pentecost or Feast of Weeks. This is a holy day which falls on Sunday (when the
Sabbath ends, the week is out). Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy
Spirit and no labor is to be done on this day. As much
preparation as possible for meals for this day should be done the previous
Friday.
A convocation of Yahweh’s people is held on this day just as the
disciples gathered together on Pentecost (Acts 2:1) in 31 C.E. However, if one
is unable to assemble with others of like faith, as with any holy day, a great
deal of Bible study is always in order along with prayer.
Be a Shining Light
If
you are observing this day alone and have opposition from your family, be
especially considerate of others. Give the day a festive air, and do not
withdraw yourself from the family. Make every effort to have this a special
joyous time enjoying Yahweh’s bounty such as inviting others to have a special
dinner with you.
Above all, avoid all words or action which would
engender religious strife. Let the family see that the holy days which Yahweh
set in motion are so much more joyous and uplifting than the world’s burdensome
holidays.
Feasts of the Seventh Month
With
the approach of autumn, we welcome the first of the four Annual Sabbaths, which
follow this day of Trumpets. It is a Sabbath of rest when no laborious work is
to be done. None of the Feasts of the seventh
month has been fulfilled as yet. Fulfillment is yet ahead of us.
Remember, you are an example to those around you. Be a
light to the world, and make this day a joy for your family. Spend extra time
studying your Bible and prayer. Many of the brethren participate in a video or
audio taped message both of which are available from YAIY.
Atonement
This
day is indeed unique because it is referred to as a Feast day, but is actually
a day of fasting! The Day of Atonement is a day in which no food or drink is
taken for 24 hours—from sunset to sunset.
Lev.
Yahweh commands that no work of any kind be done on
this day. It is the holiest of all days of the year. It is not uncommon that
extra rest be taken this day. Make certain all work is completed beforehand so
no complaints from the family will be forthcoming. Remember that fasting is
from sunset the previous evening to sunset of this day.
Children May Also Fast
Because
obedience to Yahweh is voluntary, children are not expected to fast. Yet, many desire to do what their parent does, and surprisingly
do quite well. Allowing them to participate will bond the parent relationship,
but we must ensure we don’t make this a burdensome time for the young children
who may find a complete fast difficult until much older.
Remember Yahweh’s days begin at sunset, Lev. 23:32.
When the sun has set, a new day begins and eating an evening meal can commence.
Eat only a moderate meal following the Day of Atonement. Those under medical
care should check with their physician.
Feast of Tabernacles
This
is the most joyous time of the year. The harvest is in, and we can thank Yahweh
for a bountiful growing season and look forward to His harvest of souls.
The Feast of Tabernacles is a time to join with others
of like faith in thanking and praising Yahweh. We share our hopes and dreams
for the seven days with others also striving to enter the Kingdom under Yahshua
Messiah. It is a time to rejoice!
Reading the book of Deuteronomy is timely, for it will
be the constitution of the coming Kingdom.
High Sabbath and Last Great Day
The
first day of the Feast of Tabernacles is a High Sabbath, and after seven days
comes the last Great Day of the Feast, the eighth day. No work is to be done neither
on the first day of Tabernacles nor on the last Great Day.
Yahweh places His name in His people through baptism,
and the Elders of His Assembly invite all sincere people to attend the Feast
and join with others who have been sealed with His name, Rev. 14:1.
Assemble for Annual Sabbaths
The
Passover in
The Feasts are given to Yahweh’s people to educate and
strengthen them in the most holy faith. Work is permitted between the first day
of Tabernacles and the eighth day (except for the weekly Sabbath which falls
within the week).
To neglect the full week of the Feast and keep only
the High Days deprives one of the joys that Yahweh has set before us. The Feast
of Tabernacles is like a giant family reunion. Brethren we meet inspire and
encourage each of us and we learn we are not alone, for many wrestle the same
problems we face.
If the reason you are not attending Yahweh’s Festivals
is financial, you should start saving now a second tithe which you set aside to
ensure your means of attending future Feasts, Deut. 14:22-23. This is Yahweh’s
way of ensuring your obedience in gathering together with His spiritual family
of sons and daughters.
May Yahweh inspire you with zeal to become fully
committed to Him so that you come behind in no work or responsibility, but have
faithfully trusted in Him to guide you in deeper truth. Should you have any Biblical questions, feel free to get in touch with us.
Allow Yahweh the opportunity to bless you and plan to attend the next Feast of
Tabernacles with us.
© 2007, 2008 Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua
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