Three Times A Year!

“Three Times A Year!”

Festivals and Dedicated Days—There is a Difference!

Chapter 19 Preview: Anciently, it was crucial to attend Our Father’s “Feasts”: Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Are they relevant today? Should these three Feasts still be “Pilgrimage Feasts”. Does Father expect us to celebrate these appointments? Should we celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread with the same solemnity as we do the Feast of Tabernacles—from beginning to end? What about the days from Leviticus 23 other than these three “Pilgrimage Feasts”? Is there a the distinction between a “Festival” (or “Holy Day”) and a “Feast”? What is required to celebrate a Feast? Even tho the issues in this chapter are a bit technical, due to translational considerations, there will still be a test at “the end”.

PS 2/22/2010: As late as two years before I began reading the Plain Truth magazine, some people were celebrating the ENTIRE Feast of Unleavened Bread. Even as I was reading a stash of older PT copies from that era, as a teenager, I had no idea that any of Yeshua’s followers had actually celebrated them at any time since the first century. Should they have been? Here is a quote about a unique moment in history that I just found online:

Celebrating the Resurrection of Our Savior [Rather Than Easter!]

“Why, when the [Worldwide] Church of God says they have almost all truth, know the ‘Real’ Jesus Christ, and count exactly 3 days & nights to His resurrection, fail to, indeed ignore, the greatest event in history, the resurrection to eternal life of God the Son Himself? We’re so busy ‘getting sin out’ & eating unleavened bread by the mouthful (I love it!), that we pass right by that marvelous moment during the U.B. feast! We memorialize His death, we celebrate the ‘night to be much observed’ [it should be Yeshua’s Supper—Lon], but totally ignore His resurrection 3 days into the Feast!” J.B., Canada

“ANSWER: A very good question! Why do so many of those who believe in the observance of Biblical Holy Days ignore the fact that the so-called ‘Days’ [plural] of Unleavened Bread are in reality a Pilgrimage Feast? Proper observance of the entire FEAST of Unleavened Bread should naturally include a memorial service at the close of the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to remember the resurrection of our Savior. Some have called this the ‘Resurrection Sabbath,’ in memorial of the Savior’s resurrection just before sundown on Sabbath. [Actually, this would vary since Aviv 17 falls on a different day every year as would any other anniversary—Lon.]

“Then, of course, there is the next day, ‘Wavesheaf Sunday,’ which typifies the resurrected Messiah being accepted by the Father in Heaven. It would by all means be proper to commemorate these events as part of the natural daily gatherings during the Feast of Unleavened Bread for worship and Bible Study. Yes, this is one Sunday special occasion that the Bible directly promotes!

“When the modern Church of God drifted away from observing the full Feast of Unleavened Bread, they as a result lost spiritual power. Few in the Worldwide Church of God know that as late as the mid-1960’s, the Church generally observed the entire 8-day Spring Festival. The April, 1964 issue of ‘Church of God News’ of St. Louis states: ‘The GREATEST 8-day Spring Festival the midwest has ever known was observed this year in the quiet little town of Sedalia, Mo . . . . Mr. [Bryce] Clark . . . reminded us that we are to keep the Feast where God places HIS name, that NO stone should be left unturned in attempting to be there for the ENTIRE time.’

“In the First Century, A.D., the Passover Feast was the most attended Feast of all. But in today’s Church of God, it has been relegated to merely the little ‘days’ of Unleavened Bread, a secondary time six months before the ‘BIG’ Feast of Tabernacles. Is it any wonder that the resurrection of our Savior has no meaning to these people?

“Let us remember the resurrection Sabbath of our Savior, Wavesheaf Sunday, and keep the entire 8-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, experiencing the full meaning of the sacrifice of the Savior for mankind, doing our part leaving spiritual Egypt and putting out sin with His help. We should not forget the most important event in history prior to the Second Coming. Let’s not relegate to insignificance the resurrection of Jesus Christ. W

“The only thing we are going to take with us when we die is what we give away today.” [A] proverb. Let us give of ourselves in service to others. This is the ‘giving and sharing’ way.”

Several years ago an old time WCG member told me that HW Armstrong shut down the celebration of entire Unleavened Bread commemorations to free up more tithe money for donations. I doubt that that motive was ever actually stated. Just before I began adding this insert, I emailed it to Natan Lawrence, not knowing that he had been a good friend of both Bryce Clark and the editor of the Give Share website just quoted. Natan’s dad was actually at one of these informal WCG Unleavened Bread feast sites. Natan’s father says that they were local events, rather than corporate sponsored, and not done church wide as were the other Feasts. I’m not sure if anyone alive knows if they were forcefully stopped at the ‘corporate level’ or not. Natan called me right back and wants to make this year’s Unleavened Bread campout, that I was in the process of organizing, available for his whole local congregation.

End PS

Father commanded ancient Israel to actively celebrate (or “keep”) three Feasts each year. Attendance was so vital that at least all heads of household (males) were commanded to appear where He placed His name for the full length of each “Feast”. Among the “Churches” today that celebrate Father’s Feasts, many opt to only participate in some of the days.

Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times a year all your males will appear before Yehovah your Elohim in the place that He chooses; during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and during the Feast of Weeks [Pentecost], and during the Feast of Tabernacles; and you wont appear before Yehovah empty handed. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE) (Also see Exodus 23:14)

Many people are aware of the Scripture mentioning “three times a year”, but few understand the significance of the wording. Why only “three times” instead of seven, and what does “times” mean anyway? The “times” used here means stroke, beat, time, and occurrence. So there are precisely three occurrences within each year when Father requires the attendance of His people in His very presence.

Many of you will realize that a misunderstanding of the “times” Scriptures is the basis that a number of Churches use to collect an offering from their people seven times a year. These churches have taken it upon themselves to include (extra) “times” (pun intended) in addition to the three Biblical Feast “times”. They collect offerings on each of the seven annual ‘Assembly Days’ (Moed in Hebrew). But four of these days are different than the others; not involving extensive travel and food preparation. There is no way around the intent of the Hebrew: The three Feasts [Hebrew: ‘Chag’] are in no way meant to imply all seven annual Assembly Days.

Yet observance of these three Chag (i.e. from Deuteronomy 16:16 above) simply cannot be accomplished if we are doing our normal secular activities during these times. There will be more elaboration on this as we proceed.

To “Feast” or not to “feast”

In addition to Moed, Chag is the other word that is generally thouught of as a “Feast”, but it is used specifically to pertain to the three Pilgrimage Feasts. “Moed”, the second word thought of as Feast is more generic. It can mean any of the seven Festival gatherings.

Occasionally mishteh, a secular “feast” is mentioned:

Genesis 40:20 Three days later, it was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast (mishteh) for all of his servants. He lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. WE

The reverence of Chag and Mo'ed is easily distinguished from secular holidays etc:

Exodus 10:9 Moses said, “We’ll go with our young and with our old; with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds; because we must hold a Feast (Chag) to Yehovah”. WE

A Chag was not a “banquet”, but banquets may certainly be held during a Chag (Feast). So, when Father requires the presence of Israel before Him during those three times mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:16, just what is expected?

Festivals and Feasts—There is a Difference!

Thousands of believers understand that the Feast of Tabernacles is an annual occurrence involving traveling to a place that they consider to be of “His choosing” for seven days. Actually, the last place that Father chose, with certainty, was Jerusalem, but we’ll have to make do, during the diaspora, until we’re back in the land. Yet most dont realize that Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost are in the same classification, being “Pilgrimage Feasts”, as is the Feast of Tabernacles. It is important to understand the difference between the Festivals and the three Feast “times”, if we are to serve Father correctly.

Because the distinction between a chag (Feast) and a Moed (appointed place, appointed time, meeting) is almost totally misunderstood, I have decided to consistently correlate two English words with the two relevant Hebrew words within this chapter.

According to my Oxford dictionary, a Feast is heavily centered around eating food, with annual religious celebrations in particular. By contrast the entry under Festival makes absolutely no mention of food.

The Pilgrimage Feast instructions are definitely food centered:

Deuteronomy 14:22-26 You’ll surely tithe on the production of your grain that comes from the field year by year. 23 You’ll eat the tithe of your grain and your new wine, and your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock before Yehovah your Elohim in the place where He chooses to establish His name; so that you’ll learn to always revere Yehovah your Elohim. 24 If the trip is too far for you, and you arent able to carry it, because the destination is too far from you, where Yehovah your Elohim chooses to set his name, then Yehovah your Elohim will bless you. 25 So you should convert the foods into money, and take the money in hand, and go to the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses. 26 You’ll spend the money for whatever you want, for cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or for whatever you choose; and you’ll eat in the presence of Yehovah your Elohim, and celebrate with your household. WE

Here is a clear distinction between the terms:

Ezekiel 46:11 In the Feasts [chag] and in the Festivals [Moed], the meal offering will be ... WE

Here are two places in the Scriptures where the “Pilgrimage Feasts” are covered, and they dont refer to all seven Annual Days (Moedim: plural) but to Father’s three Feast times: Deuteronomy 16:16 is one and Exodus 23:14 is another (see below). It was mandatory in ancient Israel that “all your males will appear”, and these three Feasts are specified by name.

Father designating a period of time to be a “Feast” (chag) is completely different from His designating a day to be a “Holy Day” (Moed). A Moed identifies a 24 hour period, one full day, an appointment with Father. Father conveniently listed all of His appointments in Leviticus 23. They are listed as Father’s appointed times, not man’s. These Moed are: the weekly Sabbath that occurs every seventh day without fail; the seven annual Dedicated Days that are typically known as: The First Day of Unleavened Bread, The Last Day of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, the First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the 8th Day (or the Last Great Day).

But a “Feast” (Chag) designation carries an altogether different meaning and purpose than a Moed.

Exodus 23:14 ... 26 “You will celebrate a Feast with Me three times a year. 15 You’ll celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you’ll eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, during the appointed time in the new moon of Aviv [green ears of barley], because that is when you came out from Egypt, and no one will appear before Me empty handed. 16 And the Feast of Harvest, the first fruits of your labors, so that you sow in the field; and the Feast of harvest, at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors out of the field. 17 Three times in the year all of your males will appear before Adonay Yehovah. ... 20 “I am sending a Messenger before you, to protect you on your journey, and to bring you into the place that I’ve prepared. 21 Pay attention to Him, and listen to His voice. Dont provoke Him, because He wont pardon your disobedience, because My name resides in Him. 22 But if you listen carefully to His voice, and do everything that I say, then I’ll be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries. ... 25 You’ll serve Yehovah your Elohim, and He’ll bless your bread and your water, and I’ll remove sicknesses from your presence. 26 No one will miscarry or be barren in your land and I’ll allow you to live your full number of days. WE

Notice that verse 15 above contains a definition of how to celebrate the Chag of Unleavened bread—the Chag involves “seven days”.

A Feast is an event, a period of time measured by days. The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles are each 7-day long Feasts. A Chag is not specifically a “day”, but whatever length of time has been designated to Feast. So during the Feast of Tabernacles, which is exactly one week long (seven days), the entire week is only one Chag. Often, people think of a Chag as being a Feast day, and then think that there are seven Chag days in the Tabernacles Feast. There is only one Chag in the Chag of Tabernacles, and it is seven days long. Please keep this in mind thruout the remainder of this chapter, and forever after, since it will help to eliminate the confusion encountered by many today concerning Feasts and Festivals (Holy Days).

Times and Seasons

Let’s consider the word “times”. The Hebrew word regel “reh’-gel” can imply several different things, but it never implies “seasons”, as in “the four seasons”. Some people reason that if you lump the “spring” Dedicated Days with the “summer” Dedicated Day, said to be Pentecost—though it also falls in the “spring”, and throw in all of the “fall” Dedicated Days, then you have covered three “seasons”, and included all seven Dedicated Days.

There is an assumption here that needs to be addressed. Biblically there are only two seasons. Look in your complete concordance and notice the numerous references to “winter” and “summer”, then try to find “spring” and “fall”. The only “fall” references refer to something falling down under the influence of gravity! The “spring” references refer to something springing up, or places to get a drink! The four-season concept is an Egyptian one.

Ironically, there is a place in the most common versions of the Bible where “seasons” is used in a way that misleads most modern readers. To those of us who believe in celebrating Father’s Dedicated Days, this common misconception should be common knowledge. When we understand the actual meaning of Genesis 1:14, we will understand Father’s commitment to His Devoted Days from the very beginning, rather than only from the time of Moses. These days were meant for all time! Carefully notice what Father said about these so-called “seasons”. This is an important point, so it is well covered.

Genesis 1:14-19 Elohim said, “There should be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night; they should be for signs [of things to come], and Appointed Festivals [not seasons], days and years; 15 and they should be for lights in the expanse of sky to provide light on the earth;” and it was so. 16 Elohim made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. 17 Elohim set them in the expanse of sky to provide light for the earth, 18 to regulate the day and the night, and to separate the light from darkness. Elohim saw that it was good. 19 There was evening, then morning—a fourth day. WE

The Hebrew word Moed used above for seasons really means any of Father’s “appointed times”, as can be demonstrated by numerous other usages of the word! The most fundamental way to determine when we should celebrate these days is by using the “lights ... in the heavens”: the moon and the sun. By the way, there are no mystical mathematical formulas required to determine when a new month begins as long as we use the “lights” that Father instituted on “the fourth day” for this very purpose. The first month of the year is also quite simple to determine. A calendar is simply a method of determining when a month and a year is to begin, and then counting individual days.

What is a month?

“The month is a unit of time, used with calendars, which is approximately as long as some natural period related to the motion of the Moon; month and Moon are cognates. The traditional concept arose with the cycle of moon phases; such months (lunations) are synodic months and last approximately 29.53 days. From excavated tally sticks, researchers have deduced that people counted days in relation to the Moon's phases as early as the Paleolithic age. Synodic months, based on the Moon's orbital period, are still the basis of many calendars today, and are used to divide the year.” —Wikipedia

Leviticus 23 as previously mentioned, specifies all of the dedicated Moed, that is, Father’s seven annual Appointments and the weekly seventh day Sabbath. The word rendered “Feasts of Yehovah (the LORD),” and “My Feasts” in verse 2, and verses 4, 37, 44 is the Hebrew word “Moed”, meaning: “appointed place, appointed time, or meeting.” Strong’s references to “solemn feast” and “set feast” are inaccurate renderings as is the use of Feasts in the verses just mentioned. The insertion of the word Feast for Moed in Leviticus 23 has led to much confusion in the minds of many. For example, the translators unilaterally made the “Day of Atonement”, a day of complete fasting, into a “feast” day, and this is totally contrary to being “afflicted” on this day. If we just insert “appointed times” or “Festival” into the verses where Moed is translated into “Feasts” it should become much clearer. The result of this “co-mingling” of the word “Feast” for Moed has been to blur the lines of distinction between a Moed and a Chag. So in the places where the word “Feast” is present in Leviticus 23, the reader cant readily know or identify whether it is Moed or Chag.

We see from Leviticus 23 that the seven annual Dedicated Days and the weekly Sabbath are the Moed, or “appointments” with Father, that are also Dedicated Convocations. These appointed times, weekly and Dedicated Days were determined by Father Himself. It is our obligation to refrain from work during these “appointed times” or moedim (plural of Moed). Observance is mandatory. Our destiny will be greatly influenced by how seriously we examine these days and ourselves.

Feasts

There is another term that needs to be clarified in reference to Father’s three Feasts, because it is used in reference to celebrating Father’s Feasts, not just knowing when they are. The word is Chagag:

Exodus 5 Afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, “This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel, says, ‘Let My people go, so that they can hold a Feast [Chagag] with Me in the wilderness’”. WE

“Chagag” is the root word that Chag comes from in the first place.

Notice the occurrences where this word, “Chagag”, and “Chag” are both used in the same verse.

Leviticus 23:39 So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you will celebrate [chagag] a Feast [chag] of Yehovah for seven days; on the first day there will be a Sabbath observance, and on the eighth day there will be a Sabbath observance. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)

Exodus 12:14 This day will serve as a reminder, and you’ll celebrate it as a Pilgrimage Feast to Yehovah; thruout your generations you’ll celebrate it as a Pilgrimage Feast by an everlasting ordinance. WE

Leviticus 23:41 You’ll celebrate the Feast [chag] of Yehovah for seven days every year. It’s a statute forever thruout your generations; you’ll celebrate [chagag] it in the seventh month. WE

Numbers 29:12 On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you’ll have a Dedicated Convocation; you’ll do no routine work then, and you’ll celebrate [chagag] a Feast [chag] with Yehovah for seven days. WE

The use of “Chagag” in combination with “Chag” stresses the necessity to attend and participate in the Chag (Feasts). While Chag is a “noun”, the word “chagag” is a verb. The verb expresses the action in a sentence. The verb is telling us what to do to the “noun”, Chag. According to Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, the literal Arabic meaning is, “betake oneself to or towards an object of reverence; make a pilgrimage”. The Hebrew is, “celebrate a Pilgrim Feast”. So we find that three distinct “times” a year Israelites would become “pilgrims”, traveling to where Father had placed His name for these Chag: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Is there a difference between the “middle days” of the Feast of Tabernacles and the “middle days” of the Days of Unleavened Bread? There is no commandment to hold meetings during these non Dedicated Days of either Feast, since they are not Dedicated Moed days (“appointed times”) requiring a convocation, yet they are a part of the Chag or Feast. By definition, Father instructs us to be feasting all the days of His Feasts. What should be strikingly evident is the fact that there is never any indication whatsoever that it was ever acceptable to attend only the Sabbath days within any of the Feasts [chag], without celebrating the intervening days of the Chag!

Of all 62 Scriptural uses of Chag, not one use of the term applies it to the Day of Trumpets, or the Day of Atonement or even the weekly Sabbath. In fact, chag—“festival time”, has a different meaning than Moed, which covers these other times. Yet a Chag can refer to a one day event because Pentecost—a Pilgrim Feast is only one day long.

There are few people who have digilantly considered the distinction between a Chag and a Moed. Simply put, a Chag is an entire Pilgrim Feast, not just the Sabbaths within a Feast.

Is Psalm 81:3 an exception? Could a New Moon be a full moon? Can the year begin in the seventh month? See the footnote at the end.

The Other Days

Aviv the 16th-20th (the five non-Dedicated Days between the first and last Dedicated Days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread), as well as the last six days of the Feast of Tabernacles (the 16th-21st day of the seventh month) are still days within the chag/Feast, but are not Dedicated Days! Aviv 15 and 21, Pentecost, and the 1st, 10th, 15th and 21st days of the seventh month are Dedicated Days [Moed]. Of these seven Moed only Aviv 15 and 21, Pentecost, and the 15th day of the seventh month also occur during “Feast” (chag) times. The non Moed “in between” days of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles are not Sabbaths, nor are they Dedicated Days (upon which no work or play is permitted). Neither are they days that we should pursue our own ordinary interests. These non-Moed days are all still days of the Chag in which we can and should truly celebrate, but without the requirement to “assemble” formally. We can exercise our own discretion during these days, doing things that celebrate life itself, making memories as we make meaningful friendships.

Here is more instruction on the when, the where, and the means of celebrating the three Pilgrimage Feasts. Anciently these particular Feasts could not be kept at home “within your gates” unless you lived in Jerusalem. Today, every effort should be made to gather in larger groups than is possible during the rest of the year, even if you must have “living room” Feasts.

Deuteronomy 12:11, 17-18 then it will happen that to the place that Yehovah your Elohim will choose, to cause His name to live there, there you’ll bring everything that I command you; your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all of your choice offerings that you vow to Yehovah. ... 17 You wont eat the tithe of your grain within your gates, or your new wine, or your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or flock, nor any of your offerings that you vow, nor your freewill offerings, nor the wave offering of your hand; 18 but you’ll eat them before Yehovah your Elohim in the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your male servant, and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you’ll celebrate before Yehovah your Elohim in ‘everything that you do’. WE

In ancient Israel, Father placed His name in Jerusalem (before that it was Bethel) and that was where Israel was to congregate—not once a year but three times—where His name was placed (Deuteronomy 16:5-16). There is no reason to travel to Jerusalem today, because Jerusalem is no better than ancient Sodom and Egypt at this time (Revelation 11:8). Do budget a tithe just long enough fund your pilgrimages—but not all year long. Any able and responsible person would help defray the expenses incurred with renting festival facilities, when attending a site, but this should not be considered an “offering”. Offerings are no longer applicable since there is no longer a Levitical priesthood. Offerings are not synonymous with contributions or donations; offerings are primarily something to be burned.

In ancient Israel, it would have been totally impractical, procedurally, to have traveled a considerable distance to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as was Yeshua’s (Jesus) family custom (Luke 2), and then to have gone back home—turned around—and then returned for the Last Day of the Feast. Had Father wanted to have a two day Feast He could have conveniently placed the two Dedicated Days back to back! But this was meant to be a seven day long Feast. In fact, in the Luke 2 account, Yeshua needed more than seven days to say everything that needed to be said when He was twelve years old!

Today, ease of travel and multiple locations have virtually eliminated any natural deterrent for leaving, and thus “skipping”, the “middle days” of the Feast, but Father’s intent should be apparent. Father determined that those present at His Feasts should celebrate for the entire time allotted.

Deuteronomy 16:3, 7-8 You’ll eat no leavened bread with it. You’ll eat unleavened bread with it seven days, yes, the bread of affliction; because you came out of the land of Egypt hurredly; this is how you can remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. ... 7 You’ll roast it and eat it in the place that Yehovah your Elohim chooses; and you’ll return in the morning to your tents. 8 Six days you’ll eat unleavened bread; and on the seventh day there will be a solemn assembly to Yehovah your Elohim; you’ll do no work then. WE

Compare this with the instruction for Tabernacles from Leviticus:

Leviticus 23:34 Speak to the descendants of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to Yehovah. WE

The full time allotted for each Feast is not really “optional” time, is it? Once we understand Father’s mind on the Feasts, can we still justify not celebrating the Feast for the total time He decreed? So why not commemorate them exactly as they were intended to be. As a side note, the Hebrew word rendered as “tents” in the above Deuteronomy reference can be any kind of dwelling place, not necessarily booths.

1 Corinthians 5:8 So let’s celebrate the Feast, not with the old leaven, or with the leaven of wickedness and bitterness, but with the unleavened bread of purity and dedication. GV

Celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread for anything less than seven full days would not seem to be keeping it in sincerity and truth, would it?

Colossians 2:16-17 So dont allow anyone to pronounce judgments against you about eating and drinking, or about various aspects of the Feast days, new moons, and Sabbaths; 17 that foreshadow things to come, except for the body of the Messiah. GV

Sabbaths are no different than Dedicated Days, they all are Moed dedicated to Father; special times “appointed” by Him for our benefit and His delight. The only difference between them is in how the actual “appointment day” is arrived at. The Sabbath is every seventh day of every week, without fail! New moons (one of the “lights” of Genesis 1: 14) are used to determine the true beginning of each month, and Father had already given instructions from there on how to arrive at each Solemn Assembly. The seven annual Moedim (plural of moed) along with the weekly Moed (seventh day Sabbaths) are distinctive because they are associated with holy convocations. On these “Dedicated Days” work is not permitted. The Hebrew specifically tells us that “all occupational work” is forbidden. The weekly Sabbath, the 15th and 21st days of the first month (during the Unleavened Bread), Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonements, and the 15th and 22nd days of the seventh month (first day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day) are all Dedicated Days with mandatory meetings. They are all rest days.

Leviticus 23:2 Speak to the descendants of Israel, and tell them, ‘These are Yehovah’s Festivals [Moed, therefore not a “feast/chag”, but an “appointment day”], that you will proclaim to be Dedicated Convocations, these are My Festivals: WE

Leviticus 23:4, 6 These are the Feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times ... 6, ‘And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.

Leviticus 23:37 These are the Feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day ....

Leviticus 23:44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the Feasts of the LORD.

What about the believers

Some may say: “This was all well and good for ancient Israel, but what about today? Are today’s believers even supposed to celebrate the Feasts?”

A close look into the Testimony of Yeshua (“New Testament”), especially Paul’s writings, reveals that quite a number of things that pertained to the Levitical priesthood were suspended for the Disciples. The “washing”, animal sacrifices, and even some of the “statutes and judgments” are all suspended, as was tithing to the priesthood. (Interestingly, all of these things will be resumed when the latter temple’s Levitical priesthood is resumed—Ezekiel Chapters 40-48.)

What about the Moed and Chag? As far as the Moed are concerned, the answer is uncomplicated. Since the Ten Commandments encompass every age of man, which includes “keeping” the seventh day Sabbath (a Moed), we can readily see one Moed still in force. Now as for the seven annual Moed, remember that they are found as far back as creation week (Genesis 1:14). Next, we find that in Leviticus 23 that Father declared that these Moedim are “His”, not man’s, and He listed all of the seven annual Moedim along with the weekly Moed, thus connecting the weekly to the annual. In addition to this, we find that all of these Moed, plus the three “Feasts” that were presented to ancient Israel, were all celebrated by Yeshua. Furthermore, as if that were not enough, we also find that these same Moedim and Feasts were also celebrated by the Apostles and the first century Assembly. Finally, we discover that these Moedim and Feasts will be celebrated after the return of Father and “His Christ” in the Kingdom of Father, and that even non-Israelites, or as many think of these nations, “gentiles” are to celebrate the Moedim and Feasts (See Zechariah 14 and note that if they will be celebrating the entire Feast of Tabernacles, then they will also be celebrating the Moedim that begins the Feast.) More about this later but note that Moed and Chag were still in force in the early Assembly as the apostle John mentioned that the 15th of Aviv (the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread) was an annual Sabbath Day. (Note: the Greek does not have distinct words differentiating Dedicated Days from Feasts.)

John 19:31 Because it was the Preparation Day, the Jews said, “These bodies must not remain all night on crosses; because the Sabbath was approaching; and that particular Sabbath was a Great [megas] Day”. So they asked Pilate, if they could break the legs of those being crucified, and take them down. GV

So, what possible reason or excuse can there be for Disciples, presumably followers or imitators of Yeshua, for not celebrating, at this time, those things that Yeshua celebrated while human and that He and His Father will require the world to celebrate in the future?

The early Assembly celebrated the Feasts in local areas such as Phillipi—not even close to Jerusalem.

Acts 20:5-6 They went on ahead of us, and waited for us at Troas. 6 We sailed from the Macedonian city of Philippi during the Days of Unleavened Bread; and sailed to Troas in five days, where we remained for seven days. GV

Acts 18:18-21 After staying there for quite a while longer, Paul said goodbye to the Friends, and set sail for Syria. Priscilla and Aquilla went with him, after shaving his head in Cenchrea, because of a vow. 19 They came to Ephesus, and Paul went into the synagogue, and had dialog [dialegomai] with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay with them, but he couldnt be persuaded. 21 He told them, “It is an absolute necessity that I celebrate this coming Feast in Jerusalem. [The others feasted locally.]. If it pleases Yehovah, I will visit you again. He set sail in Ephesus, leaving Priscilla and Aquilla. GV

A Feast location should be a place where the cares of this life do not interfere with the spiritual nature of the Feast. Believers should make every effort to meet together to worship Father:

Hebrews 10:24-25 Let’s contemplate ways to prod others into love and good works. 25 Let’s not abandon our assembling in synagogues [epi-sunagoge], as is the ethos [ethos] of some; rather encourage each other; and even more so, when you see the Day [of Yehovah] approaching. GV

A few people in Hezekiah’s and Josiah’s time were zealous to obey Father. Unfortunately, this was a rare exception to the rule.

Unleavened Bread

2 Chronicles 30:21-23, 25-26 The descendants of Israel who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Yehovah day by day, singing with loud instruments to Yehovah. 22 Hezekiah spoke comfortably to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yehovah. So they ate thruout the Feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confessions to Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors. 23 The whole assembly took counsel to celebrate another seven days; and they celebrated another seven days with gladness. ... 25 The entire assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and the entire assembly that came out of Israel, and the foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and lived in Judah, celebrated. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem; because since the time of Solomon, the son of David king of Israel, there hadnt been anything like this in Jerusalem. WE

Do you think for a minute that these people only kept the two commanded assemblies during the first seven days? More to the point, wouldnt the fact that they decided to “to keep the feast another seven days” indicate that they indeed had already celebrated the Feast for seven full days, rather than just two days?

2 Chronicles 35:17-18 The descendants of Israel who were present celebrated the Passover at that time, and the Feast of unleavened bread seven days. 18 There was never a Passover like that celebrated in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; nor did any of the kings of Israel celebrate such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all of Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. WE

Are Unleavened Bread and Pentecost Less Important Feasts?

Are the Three Pilgrimage Feasts of equal value? If so, then why do so many people, when they consider celebrating these Dedicated Days, only concern themselves with the Feast of Tabernacles, essentially keeping just one Solemn Assembly? Yeshua’s example:

Luke 2:40-42The Child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and was filled with wisdom; and the favor of Yehovah was on Him. 41 His people went up to Jerusalem every year, at the Feast of the Passover. 42 When He was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, as prescribed by the Torah. GV

Here is one example of the early Assembly celebrating a Feast:

Acts 2:1 When the days of Pentecost were fully counted, while they were all assembled together ... GV

The Bible illustrates that Unleavened Bread and Pentecost were still Pilgrimage Feasts, as was the Feast of Tabernacles.

John 7:1-2, 10-11, 37 After this, Yeshua went to Galilee. He wouldnt go to Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was approaching. ... 10 But when His brothers left for the Feast, He then went up Himself, but not publicly, rather, as it were, in secret. 11 The Jews were looking for Him at the Feast; and inquiring, “Where is He”? ... 37 On the Last Day, that Great Day of the Feast, Yeshua stood and spoke out, “If anyone thirsts, they should come to Me and drink. GV

Three Pilgrimage Feasts Stand or Fall Together

Thousands of people in the mid twentieth century celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for a full seven days, as a Pilgrimage Feast. In recent decades, as happened in ancient Israel, most have compromised Father’s teachings. There will be a price to pay for this compromise.

Matthew 5:19 So whoever breaks one of the smallest prescribed rules and teaches it as doctrine to others will be called small in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but anyone who carries out and teaches them, will be called great in the Kingdom of the Heavens. GV

For decades, many have been told that it was important to be present for all seven of the days of the Feast of Tabernacles, but not celebrating the “middle days” of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was expected. It was not even thought to be possible to celebrate these days because “the church” had determined that there was no need to continue making provisions for anyone to make such a pilgrimage. Any effort to celebrate the middle days with others would likely have been considered insubordination. It is more than paradoxical that a church would mandate attendance during the entire time at one of Father’s Feasts, but not even have a Feast to attend at another, except for the two Dedicated Days. Yet, there is absolutely no Scriptural difference between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in regard to their status as Pilgrimage Feasts. The only requirement that is unique to Tabernacles regards the type of housing—dwelling in “booths”. This requirement had nothing to do with “whether or not” people attended all seven days of the Feast, but only pertained to the “manner” of celebrating the Feast. The Feast of Unleavened Bread has one requirement that is unique to it as well, and that is that we eat unleavened bread each day for all seven days of the Feast. This, too, only addresses one aspect of the “manner” that we celebrate the Feast.

Some people ask why Father would put such a burden on His people. Didnt Yeshua say that His burdens were light? Yeshua said that whoever would seek to save their life would lose it. Those who dedicate their lives to serving Father will save their lives. How do we enter the Kingdom? Thru the sacrifice of Yeshua and His blood, putting sin out of our lives, obeying Father, and receiving His Spirit. Let us not forget this Scripture.

Hebrews 11:35-38 and of women who regained their children by a resurrection from the dead. Others were put to death, being tortured, not even hoping to be rescued, so that they could secure a better resurrection. 36 Others were tested by being mocked and whipped; others were chained and imprisoned; 37 they were stoned; they were cut in half; they were killed with swords; they roamed around clothed in sheep and goat skins, and were destitute, distressed, and tormented. 38 The world was not worthy of them, yet they wandered in deserts and mountains, or hid in caves and fissures in the earth. GV

What Does the Future Hold?

Now for Part 2