The Rabbinical View
of the Festivals

The scriptural instructions for this day are few and simple. Each family is to take a lamb and slaughter it on the 14th day of the 1st month. That night, it is to be eaten with bitter herbs while the person stands and is dressed ready to go ... all as a reminder of how Israel left Egypt. At the time of the Exodus, the blood from that lamb was applied to the door of the house so that the destroying angel, the 10th plague, would pass over that house and not kill the 1st born child as it would the Egyptians. These instructions would remain the same during the wilderness wanderings. Once they entered the promised land, the people were instructed to make the sacrifice not in their homes, but in the place where YHVH would set His name. This was instructed to be done throughout the ages as a memorial because this was the night that Israel was taken out of Egypt.

The passover sacrifice found its true fulfillment in the death of Yahshua. The role of His death was atonement. He came and died so that all may be saved (if they will choose it). It is Yahshua's blood that covers us and allows us to be 'passed over' by death because of sin. Without this, we would all be in terrible trouble, for all have broken the covenant with the One Most High. In sending His Son, YHVH had both favor and mercy on us. Mercy because He did not give us the penalty for our sin that we deserved. Favor because He gave us what we did not deserve. He has given us forgiveness and life.

Jewish traditions for observing Passover have grown up around one main theme ... the seder. The seder, whose name means order, is an elaborate procedure full of symbolism. The specific traditions done at each place vary a little like a thanksgiving dinner across the United States. But the ceremony centers on unleavened bread, 4 cups of wine, the retelling of the exodus story, and food items found on the seder plate. Each part of the seder is meant to remind the person of the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of freedom. It is also meant to teach the children the story of the exodus.

I do not want to do a detailed analysis of the seder, but here is a typical example of what is done: Light candles, festival sanctification with cup of wine #1, purification with washing of hands, greens dipped in salt water are eaten (representing tears of pain), breaking of middle matzah (part is hidden), the Exodus story with cup of wine #2, wash the hands before eating, blessing over the matzah and it is eaten, eat bitter herbs (often horseradish) to symbolize misery of slavery, eat sweet mixture (apples, nuts raisins, and spices) to represent the foods waiting in the promised land, have meal, hidden matzah is found (redeemed), blessing said with cup of wine #3, psalms recited, closing prayer with cup of wine #4.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, a time when the Israelites were to go to Jerusalem. This particular time is to remind the people of their departure from Egypt ... of a time that they left in such haste that they were unable to wait for their bread to be leavened. Scriptural instructions for this time are relatively simple also. This is a seven day festival from the 15th through the 21st of the 1st month. The first and seventh days are days of assembly and no work is to be done on them. During this time, people are not to eat anything that is leavened. Also on each day they were to present as burnt offerings 2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs, and 1 goat.

There is not much in regards to Jewish tradition during the days of unleavened bread. However, their preperation for it is incredible. The commandment is that no leaven shall be eaten or even possesed among them during this time. For the Jew, this means a complete and thorough cleaning of the house ... through the rooms, the cabinets, the car, even all the pockets of clothing in case any crumbs have gotten there through the year. The ritual for the preperation day is for the father of the home, to go through the house searching for anything leavened that has been missed. His tools in doing this inlcude a match (as his light), a feather (to scoop it up), and a wooden spoon (to collect it).

The Biblical instructions for the day are to take the first of the new crops (barley) and make a wave offering. After this, the Israelites may eat of the new growth of the land. This day is also to mark the first of the 50 day count to the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). It is interesting to note that this day is tied in with the harvest and is to follow a few days after Passover rather than a specific date on the calendar as are the other High days. Symbolically, this is a picture of the resurrection of the Messiah who shows that He is able to offer new life to people.

Since the destruction of the Temple, the wave offering has not been made. Thus, this day has come to have a more historical significance than anything else. Yet what a day! According to tradition, many things have happened on this date. The following list is some of them: (1) Noah's ark rests upon Mt. Ararat (2) House of Jacob enters Egypt (3) Moses leads Israelites through Red Sea (4) Day of firstfruits as Israel enters the promised land (5) Walls of Jericho come down (6) Cleansing of Temple by Hezekiah and (7) Queen Esther saves Jews from elimination.

This is the time of counting for 50 days starting at the wave sheaf offering and ending at the Feast of Weeks.

This day is strictly of rabbinic origin. The word 'lag' is not really a word, instead it is the number '33' in Hebrew and thus is the 33rd day of the Omer count. It would be similar to the American holiday name of '4th of July'. Over the years, the days of the counting of the omer have become associated with sad times for the Jewish people. Such times include battles with the Romans and of those during the Crusades. According to Talmudic tradition 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died during this time because "they did not know how to treat each other". A plague was sent and they died at this time so a period of semi-mourning is in effect for the 50 days. Semi-mourning means that the Jews do not hold weddings, cut their hair, nor listen to music during this time. The exception to this time of semi-mourning is the 33rd day ... during this one day none of Akiva's students died so it is made into a day of joy. It is a day typically filled with outings such as picnics and ballgames.

Most commonly translated as Day of Trumpets but also as Day of Shoutings, and Day of Noise making. This high day falls on the first day of the seventh month. The root word for teruah means to make noise for which various methods are used in the Bible in connection with this word. I have not looked extensively, but from sample scriptures (like Ps 33:3, 89:15) these occurrrences all seem to be in relation to praise and rejoicing ... thus this is a day to celebrate. The scriptures do not spell out the exact symbolism of the day, but the number or sacrifices made show something important to be happening. The Day of Shouting marks the end of the tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom also known as the thousand year reign of the Messiah. This includes the binding of Satan for one thousand years and the first resurrection that includes those martyred during the tribulation.

Teshuva means to 'turn' or 'return'. In this case it means to return to YHVH. This is a 40 day period starting on the 1st day of the 6th month and lasting until the 10th day of the 7th month. During this time we are to carefully consider our spiritual lives and we are called to repentance ... trying to put our life in order and making our relationship with YHVH right. This is typically done by admitting our sins to the Almighty, feeling regret for what we have done, and making a commitment not to repeat the sin. According to rabbinic tradition, just as the sixth day is a day of preparation for the seventh day (Shabbat), the sixth month is a call of preperation for the 7th month ... before Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur when we are judged for the past year and we are rewarded or punished (how good the coming year will be results directly on this judgment). Traditions include blowing the shofar every morning in synagogue to remind people that judgment is coming, reading Psalm 27 twice a day, praying, and fasting.

This is also the first day of the seventh month and literally means 'head of the year'. While the Biblical new year begins in the spring, the civil year begins in the fall and represents a celebration of the birthday of the world ... or technically the third day of creation when the earth was formed. Traditions are the blowing of shofars, eating honey dipped in apples to represent a sweet new year (sour and bitter foods are avoided). A special sweet round challah bread with raisins is made to signify hope for a good round year and sweetness. The tradition of tashlikch (casting of stones) is done by casting stones (or breadcrumbs) in moving water to represent freeing oneself from sin. The day is also known as Yom Hazikkarun (the day of remembrance) and so additional service readings include scripture on Sarah and Hannah because they were remembered by YHVH. Also, importance is placed on recalling the faith of Abraham and Isacc and the substituted ram for Isaac. Rabbinic tradition says that the noise can only be made by shofars and that this sound represents the coronation of a king. Thus a series of one hundred shofar blasts is sounded to announce the setting up of the eternal court.

In temple times, this day was entirely the work of the high priest who, on this one day each year, would go into the inner sanctuary and make an atoning sacrifice for the nation of Israel. In part by transfering the sins of Israel to one goat which will be let loose in the wilderness and then by sacrificing another goat and sprinkling its blood, along with that of a bull, on the mercy seat. On this day we are not to work and we are to fast (afflict our souls). It is interesting to note that when you read 'Sabbath' in scripture it almost always refers to 'YHVH's shabbat' which is the seventh day of rest; here is the exception, this shabbat is know as Israel's sabbath and can fall on any day of the week. It is the time of the second resurrection and also the Great White Throne judgment. The Messiah finishes the act of redeeming our lives as we are given the judgment of life and not the judgment of the second death.

Translated as either "Days of Awe" or "Days of Repentance". This is the 10 day period from Rosh HaShana to Yom Kippur. It is also the last 10 days of Teshuva. This is a serious time of introspection of the sins of the past year and repentance before Yom Kippur. According to tradition, on Rosh HaShana, the books of Heaven are opened (the book of the righteous, the wholly wicked, and the intermediates) showing who will live and who will die. However, these books can be changed during these ten days (a last chance) by doing teshuva, tefilah, and tzedakah (repentance, prayer, and charity). The books are sealed on Yom Kippur ... after this, the gates of Jerusalem are closed and it is too late. A common greeting on this day is 'May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year'. A rare custom today is taking a live fowl the morning before Yom Kippur and waiving it over the head reciting a prayer asking that the fowl be considered atonement for sins. The fowl is then slaughtered and given to the poor (some Jews use an equivalent bag of money instead).

The observance of a fast on this day seems to be rabbinic in origin, but it is based on a historical event. This is a minor fast day remembering the murder of the Govenor of Judah that helped start the process of the ultimate destruction of the temple. This was the time of King Nebuchadnezzar ... the temple had been destroyed and Israel was in exile in Babylon. Some Jews were allowed to remain in Israel and Gedalia was made govenor over them ... his rule lasted two months. Yishmael ben Nesania was jealous because he was of the royal line and should have been leader and was prodded by the asserian king to jealousy and killed Gedalia. After this, the nation was afraid of reprimand from Nebuchadnezzar. They asked Jeremiah what they should do. He said do not leave and that all would be well (and prophesied that if they left, they would be killed). The Jews left and went to Egypt which a few years later was attacked by Nebuchadnezzar and they were indeed killed. The fast mourns that the land of Israel was then devoid of Jews from then until the return of Ezra and Nehemia. It also teaches lessons on what happens when a righteous man is killed by another Jew.

This day is best known as the Day of Atonement. This is the most set apart day of the Jewish year and is spent fasting, praying, and confessing. The goats are traditionally held to represent the nation of Israel and the gentile nations. As the most set apart day of the year many rituals have been added to the service which include, but is not limited to: reciting the Kol Nidre "all my vows" on the eve of Yom kippur for forgivness of vows unfulfilled. the Vidduy which is the confession to YHVH of sins (done while standing, bowed, and beating the heart), and the Shemoneh Esrei which is the confession of sins of the community where all sins are confessed in plural. It is customary to wear white on this day symbolizing the purity and promise that our sins will be made white. In regards to afflicting the soul, additional restrictions are added such as no washing and bathing, anointing ones' body, and wearing leather shoes (basically denying oneself pleasure). I will note that the vast majority of sins listed involve the mistreatment of other people, mostly by speech ... "lashon hora" (the evil tongue) is considered a very serious sin.

This is known variously as the Feast of Booths, feast of Tabernacles, and Feast of Ingathering. We are told that it is a reminder that people lived in booths when He brought them out of Egypt. This most likely is to remind us that we are sojourners on earth and our permanent dwelling place is yet to come. Many more instructions are given for this celebration than for the other fall days (rightfully so since it is seven days long). It represents the marriage of the Lamb. This is when the Messiah takes His betrothed, the believers, to be with Him forever and ever. It is a time of celebration.

Known as the Feast of Sukkot, it is one of the most joyous times of the year. The judgment of Yom Kippur is past and it is time to rejoice. The Jews traditionally start to build their sukkahs immediately after breaking the fast of Yom Kippur. There are a great many traditions surrounding the sukkah. It must have at least 3 walls and be built of a material that will not blow away. It is required by the faithful born in Israel. A sukkah must be at least 30 inches high and no more than 30 feet tall. One need only eat ones meals in the sukkah to fulfill the commandment to live there. It is good to have guests at the sukkah and each day they are to invite one of the Patriarchs as a symbolic guest (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David). As part of the celebration the sukkah is decorated with fruits and vegetables as a reminder of the harvest in Israel. The most important element of the sukkah is the roof which is to have more shade than sun, but allow the rain in and be able to see the stars. Hoshanot hymns [Hosannas] are recited during the morning service each day and on the last day are said seven times as people circle the altar (the last day is know as the great hoshana).

Also known as the last great day. It is commonly thought of as part of sukkot, but technically it is a seperate day with sepearate instructions. In Hebrew, the number eight represents new beginnings. The Eighth Day Assembly is no different because it represents life in New Jerusalem.