“These are My appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” Leviticus 23:2

Sabbath

Sabbath rest is God’s gift to mankind.  Messianic believers remember God as Creator, as well as celebrate their personal rest in the salvation of Messiah Yeshua.

• Scripture Basis: Genesis 2:2/Leviticus 23:3/Exodus 20:8-11/Hebrews 4:9

• Date observed: Every Friday (sundown) and ending on Saturday (sundown)

Major Spring Festivals (2023)

The Spring Holidays begin the Biblical year and reveal the first coming of Yeshua. 

Note:  All festivals begin at sundown on the evening before the date given.

Pesach, (Passover), commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as well as Messiah’s fulfillment in the holiday as the Passover Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

• Scripture Basis: Ex. 12:1-14/Lev. 23:4-5/Deut.16:1/John 1:29/Hebrews 11:28

• Date observed: Wednesday evening, April 05, 2023

Chag Hamatzot, (Unleavened Bread), commemorates the unleavened bread that the Israelites took with them in haste when leaving the bondage of Egypt.  It also focuses on Messiah’s crucifixion and removing our sin and spiritual leaven.

• Scripture Basis: Ex. 12:15-20/Lev. 23:6-8/Luke 22:7/Acts 20:6/1 Cor. 5:7-8

• Date observed: April 06 – April 13, 2023

Sefirat HaOmer, Counting of the Omer, begins at Pesach (the festival of “physical redemption”) and counts up to 49 days until Shavuot (the festival of “spiritual redemption”).  It commemorates God giving His precious gift, the Torah, to His people at Mt. Sinai.  Sefirat HaOmer is a time of personal repentance and consecration in anticipation to encountering God.

• Scripture Basis:  Leviticus 23:15-16/Deuteronomy 16:9-10

• Date observed:  Friday Evening, April 07, 2023

Yom Habikkurim, Firstfruits celebrates the Wave Offering of the first sheaf of the harvest, as well as the Resurrection of Yeshua.  He is the firstfruit from the dead.  Israel was described as  the firstfruits of God’s harvest (Jer.2:3).

• Scripture Basis: Lev. 23:9-14/Matt. 27:52-53/1 Cor. 15:20-23/James 1:18

• Date observed: April 07, 2023
  

Shavuot, Pentecost, celebrates the giving of Torah at Mt. Sinai, as well as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to the Body of Messiah Yeshua.

• Scripture Basis: Exodus 23:15-29/Leviticus 23:15-22/Acts 2:1-42

• Date observed: Thursday evening, May 25-26, 2023

Major Fall Festivals (2020)

The Fall Holidays begin the Jewish Civil Year. These holidays celebrate the anticipated second coming of Yeshua.  Preparation of our hearts is made through repentance during the prior month of Elul.

Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Trumpets, commemorates the creation of the universe and alerts the Body of Messiah to prepare for the coming King.

• Scripture Basis: Leviticus 23:23-25/Matt. 24:31/1 Cor. 15:51-54/1 Thess. 4:13-18

• Date observed: Friday evening, September 15-16, 2023

Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, focuses on the Second Coming of Messiah, Israel’s national salvation, and the final judgment of the world.

• Scripture Basis: Leviticus 23:26-32/Hebrews 9:11-14, 22-24, 10:1-25

• Date observed: Sunday evening, October 24-25, 2023

Sukkot, Tabernacles, commemorates  the huts Israel lived in during their 40 year journey in the desert, as well as celebrates Messiah’s Return during the millennial kingdom.

• Scripture Basis: Lev. 23:33-43/Deut. 16:13-15/Zech. 14:16-19/John 7:2-52

• Date observed: Friday evening, September 29, 2023 Thru October 07, 2023

Other Minor Festivals Observed by Beth Hallel (2023)

Purim, Feast of Lots, commemorates the victory of the Israelites from the Persians.

• Scripture Basis:  Esther 9:20-22

• Date observed: Monday evening, March 06-07, 2023

Simchat Torah celebrates the final reading of the year’s Torah Reading cycle and the beginning of the new cycle.

• Date observed: Sunday, October 08, 2023

Chanukah commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple after the Israelites defeated the Syrian-Greeks, as well as celebrates Messiah as the Light of the world.

• Scripture Basis: Daniel 11:20-45/John 8:12/John 10:22-24

• Date observed: Thursday, December 07, 2023 sundown – Friday December 15.

• Chanukah Devotionals Growing in the Light 2 2018 pdf  a 2 week devotional and 8 Days of Chanukah a Candle lighting family devotional

Rosh Chodesh/New Moons (2022)

“Every month on Rosh Chodesh and every week on Shabbat, everyone living will come to worship in My presence,” says ADONAI.  (Isaiah 66:23)

“He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, because in connection with him were created all things – in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities – they have all been created through him and for him. He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

In observance of Rosh Chodesh, we sanctify the coming new month by lifting up Yeshua as King over His celestial creation and praying blessings for a good month.  “May it be Your Will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that You renew for us a good month in our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah.  Amen.”

Rosh Chodesh (2023)

• January 23 – Sh’vat 1, 5783

• February 21 – Adar l – 1, 5783

• March 23 – Nissan – 1, 5783  

• April 21 – Iyyar 1, 5783

• May 21 – Sivan 1, 5783

• June 19 – Tammuz 1, 5783

• July 19 – Av 1, 5783

• July 29 – Av 1, 5782

• August 17 – Elul 1, 5783

• September 16 – Tishrei 1, 5784

• October 15 – Cheshvan 1, 5784

• November 14 – Kislev 1, 5784

• December 13 – Tevet 1, 5784