Weekly Feast
Shabbat / Sabbath
Celebrated at sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.
The most important of the Jewish holidays, Shabbat is a day of rest to honor God, family, and foster fellowship. It begins on Friday at sunset and ends on Saturday at sunset. Shabbat is welcomed by lighting candles to separate the day from the other days of the week, reciting special prayers over wine and bread (challah), and praying blessings over one other. We encourage families to celebrate this special weekly holiday to grow closer to God and each other. See Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:1-3.
Spring Feasts
Pesach / Passover
Celebrated between March/April.
The Feast of Passover commemorates the miraculous exodus of Israel from Egypt by God’s mighty hand. Christians believe it was fulfilled when Jesus became our Passover Lamb. Messianic Jews and Christians celebrate Passover to remember Jesus’ sacrifice as the Passover Lamb of the New Covenant, His resurrection, and our liberation from the bondage of sin. See Exodus 12; Leviticus 23:4-8; Matthew 26:28.
Chag Hamotzi / Unleavened Bread
Celebrated between March/April.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the next day after Passover and lasts for 7 days where no leaven is eaten. See Leviticus 23:6.
Yom HaBikkurim / Firstfruits
Celebrated between March/April.
The feast of Firstfruits commemorates the first harvest of the season (Barley Harvest). Christians believe that it was fulfilled with the resurrection of Jesus as the firstfruits from the dead. See Leviticus 23:9-22.
Shavuot / Pentecost
Celebrated between May/June.
Also known as the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) to Moses on Mount Sinai fifty days after the Israelites left Egypt. Christians believe it was fulfilled in the New Testament with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2. See Leviticus 23:9-22.
Fall Feasts
Yom Teruah / Feast of Trumpets
Celebrated between September/October.
The Feast of Trumpets is commemorated by blowing the shofar, which later became known as Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Some believe that Yeshua (Jesus) will return around this day. It also marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, a time of personal reflection and forgiveness. See Leviticus 23:23-25.
Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement
Celebrated between September/October.
Considered the holiest day in the Hebrew calendar, Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance. It is the only time each year when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Jesus fulfilled this feast by giving his own blood for the forgiveness of the sins of all humanity. We encourage everyone to dedicate this day to fasting and seeking the Lord. See Leviticus 23:26-32.
Sukkot / Tabernacles
Celebrated between September/October.
Also known as the Feast of Booths, Sukkot is a 7-day festival that remembers the Israelites dwelling in booths in the desert for 40 years before entering the Promise Land. Christians believe it will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to Earth. Prophetically, Sukkot points to the millennial reign of Jesus. See Leviticus 23:33-44.
Additional Feasts
Hanukkah / Festival of Lights
Celebrated in December.
Although Hanukkah is not listed as a holiday in Leviticus 23, Chanukah or Hanukah (Festival of Lights or Dedication) is an 8-day festival celebrating the victory of the Maccabees and the re-dedication of the Old Temple in Jerusalem. It is commemorated with the lighting of the menorah. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. See John 10:22-23.
Purim / Festival of Lots
Celebrated between February/March.
Purim was established by Queen Esther and her uncle Mordecai upon being delivered miraculously from the death decree set by Haman. The Jewish people commemorate God’s deliverance of their ancestors as stated in the Book of Esther. Many Christians join in the celebration. See the Book of Esther.