This year there has been a lot of discussion regarding the start of the new year. Most of these discussions were centered around the topic of when the barley needs to be aviv. Should it be before the new year starts or only when the Wave Sheaf offering is brought? In our article in 2012 we took the position that the barley must be aviv before the new year is announced. Due to all these discussions we went back and took a deeper look at this topic. Let us see if our understanding of the Scriptures needs to be adapted.
This day also marks the beginning of the counting of the Omer which leads to the next feast, the feast of weeks, 50 days later. The purpose of this article is to go into some more detail regarding this day, especially when it is to take place. There is some disagreement on this among believers. Some say that we are to celebrate the feast of First fruits on the day after the first day of unleavened bread, like Judah does. Others, like ourselves interpret the instructions to celebrate this day on the day after the weekly Sabbath. So, what are we to do? Which interpretation is correct?
YHVH gave us His appointed times, firstly, as memorials and secondly as rehearsals to teach us His ways. When we discover His truth, He guides us to follow the ancient paths, His paths. His ways are described in His Word; His rest day, His feasts and His instructions to guide us in our lives. He gave these instructions not to put a burden on us, but to give us life.
In this article, we shall focus on the practical observance of the Feast of Passover, Unleavened bread and First fruits. These are the first feasts of the new biblical year. We also include a Haggadah for you to print out and use during your seder meal. May you have a blessed passover season!
We have now entered the season of the spring festivals as described in Leviticus 23. In our previous post we highlighted some of the facts regarding the first two feasts of the year, namely Pesach and the feast of Unleavened bread. In this article we will be discussing about the next appointed time that is most likely also the most overlooked of all. I am referring to the First Fruits offering. Do you really understand why this is in my opinion the most important moedim for us as followers of Y’Shua our Messiah?