Some time ago, a popular Sacred Name group published a list titled “10 Key Passover Facts,” found in their Jan-Feb 2018 magazine.
We will address Fact #5, which reads:
While leavening is not prohibited on Passover day, Abib 14, it is disallowed with the Passover memorial, Exodus 12:8. The Passover is a time of removing leavening in preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread that follows.
Modified Version
For many, this would seem to be a reasonable statement because this reflects the present-day acceptance, by most, of a modified version of the Hasidic/Pharisaic practice of Passover and Unleavened Bread which encompasses the dates of Abib 14-21 with the result of an observance consisting of 8 days.
The essential difference between the older Hasidic/Pharisaic practice and the Modern-Hybrid practice, which many observe today, is that the Modern-Hybrid version moves the Passover meal from the beginning of Abib 15 (System B) to the beginning of Abib 14 (System G).
Problems Created
Unfortunately, with this new arrangement of System G, additional problems are created.
For instance, according to the older Hasidic/Pharisaic method (System B), all remaining leaven was to be removed from one’s residence during the afternoon of Abib 14. At the beginning of Abib 15, the Passover meal was to be eaten with unleavened bread at sunset.
The critical issue with System B is that there is a complete removal of unleavened bread during the afternoon of Abib 14 so that with the following 7-day observance of Abib 15-21, one would necessarily eat unleavened bread with every meal. Importantly, under System B, unleavened bread is required to be eaten during these 7 days.
An 8-Day Observance
This arrangement for Hasidic/Pharisaic System B also produces an 8-day observance for Passover and Unleavened Bread consisting of Abib 14-21.
With the popular Modern-Hybrid System G, one would eat the Passover meal with unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14 at sunset. Leavening is allowed to be in one’s residence during Abib 14, and it can technically be eaten after the conclusion of the Passover meal itself. Still, it must be entirely removed by the start of Abib 15 at sunset.
Both Versions practice an 8-day observance.
The obvious problem that arises with the Modern-Hybrid System G is the fact that it requires the eating of unleavened bread for 8 days and not 7 days, as with the older Jewish System B.
A Glaring Omission
Also, what is disconcerting, is the glaring omission in Fact #5, which should include the command in Exodus 12:8 that one is actually required to eat unleavened bread with the Passover meal!
They shall eat the flesh (Passover lamb) that night (Abib 14), roasted, WITH UNLEAVENED BREAD and bitter herbs THEY SHALL EAT IT.” (Exodus 12:8)
Questions
This prompts the question, If one is required to eat unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14, is there any possibility that this very day could be the 1st official day of the 7 days of eating unleavened bread?
Additionally, due to being required to eat unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14, could this very day of Abib 14 also be the 1st day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread?
Only 7 Days
Regarding the Modern-Hybrid System G, we must now turn to a few other Scriptures for more guidance.
YOU SHALL EAT NO LEAVENED BREAD WITH IT (Passover meal on Abib 14); 7 DAYS YOU SHALL EAT IT (Passover meal) WITH UNLEAVENED BREAD, the bread of affliction–for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste–that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt. (Deut. 16:3)
NO LEAVEN shall be seen with you in all your territory for 7 DAYS; nor shall any of the FLESH (Passover lamb) WHICH YOU SACRIFICE ON THE EVENING OF THE FIRST DAY (ABIB 14) remain all night until morning. (Deut 16:4)
These passages from Deuteronomy explicitly confirm that the 7 days of eating unleavened bread consist of Abib 14-20.
Importantly, notice that unleavened bread is to be eaten for 7 days and 7 days only! However, the Modern-Hybrid System G requires one to eat unleavened bread for 8 days!
Due to moving the Passover meal from the beginning of Abib 15 to the beginning of Abib 14, the proponents of the Modern-Hybrid “System G” are forced to manipulate the plain instructions from Scriptures, which state that one is to eat unleavened bread for only 7 days.
Comparing Versions
Let us now compare the Modern Hybrid Practice with the Hasidic/Pharisaic Practice. We have also provided the ancient Quartodeciman Practice for added perspective.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW
• The Quartodeciman Practice does not allow the eating of leavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14. It is required to eat unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14 at sunset.
-Only unleavened bread allowed to be eaten at the beginning of Abib 14.
-One eats unleavened bread for 7 days, Abib 14-20.
• The Modern-Hybrid Practice does not allow the eating of leavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14. It is required to eat unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14 at sunset.
-Only unleavened bread allowed to be eaten at the beginning of Abib 14.
-One eats unleavened bread for 8 days, Abib 14-21.
• The Hasidic/Pharisaic Practice allows for the eating of leavened bread during the early part of Abib 14 but then requires the removal of all leavening during the afternoon of the same day. If bread is to be eaten during the afternoon, it would by necessity be unleavened.
-Only unleavened bread is allowed to be eaten during the afternoon of Abib 14.
-One eats unleavened bread for 8 days, Abib 14-21.
Yahweh’s Truth Revealed
Clearly, the Modern-Hybrid “System G” cannot stand the scrutiny of Scriptures. However, Yahweh’s truth is revealed when the plain facts are recognized and understood.
One can easily determine that if one moves the Passover meal from the beginning of Abib 15 (System B) to the beginning of Abib 14 (System G), then the scriptural command to eat unleavened bread for 7 days can only be kept by observing the dates of Abib 14-20 for Passover and Unleavened Bread.
The bottom line is that one cannot take the flawed practice of an 8-day observance of Passover and Unleavened Bread, as with the Hasidic/Pharisaic System B, and then slightly modify one aspect of it in an attempt to bring it into more conformity with Scriptures resulting in the Modern-Hybrid System G. Unfortunately, there are still 8 days being observed for Passover and Unleavened Bread by both practices.
For the Modern-Hybrid System G, what is even more damaging is the fact that it demands not only an 8-day observance but also requires 8 days of eating unleavened bread, which is nowhere commanded in Scriptures!
Corruption of Leaven
The reality is that to attain a true and correct observance of Passover and Unleavened Bread, one should have scrapped the whole premise of the Hasidic/Pharisaic System B altogether before attempting any proper conclusion of the matter. According to Scriptures, any purported truth that contains any leaven is not really truth at all.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Cor. 5:6)
The True Passover & Unleavened Bread
Regrettably, many do not realize that today’s practice of the Modern-Hybrid System G, an 8-day observance, originates from the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and Clarence O. Dodd. See our Article titled Passover – C.O. Dodds Failing for the details.
When one correctly utilizes the mathematics of Scriptures, one can readily uncover Yahweh’s truth regarding the timing of Abib 14-20 for the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread (System A).
Hopefully, there will be a reawakening in the near future for the many followers of Yahweh as it pertains to the correct and true observance of his Festivals and Sacred Days.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1Thes. 5:21)
Yahweh be with you.