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 statement seems reasonable because it reflects the contemporary acceptance, by most people, of a modified version of the Hasidic/Pharisaic practice of Passover and Unleavened Bread. This modified practice encompasses the dates from Abib 14 to Abib 21, resulting in a total observance of 8 days.
Problems Created
For example, under the older Hasidic/Pharisaic method (System B), all remaining leaven was to be removed from one’s home during the afternoon of Abib 14. The Passover meal, which must include unleavened bread, was then to be consumed at sunset at the beginning of Abib 15.
The critical issue with System B is that leavened bread is completely removed by the afternoon of Abib 14. As a result, during the subsequent 7-day observance from Abib 15 to 21, one is required to eat unleavened bread with every meal. It is important to note that under System B, eating unleavened bread is mandatory during these 7 days.
An 8-Day Observance
This arrangement for Hasidic/Pharisaic System B also establishes an 8-day observance for Passover and Unleavened Bread, spanning from Abib 14 to Abib 21.
In contrast, the popular Modern-Hybrid System G involves eating the Passover meal with unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14, just after sunset. During Abib 14, leavening is permitted in one’s residence and can technically be consumed after the Passover meal itself; however, it must be removed entirely by the start of Abib 15 at sunset.
Regarding the Hasidic/Pharisaic System B, Josephus states:
Whence it is that, in memory of the want we were then in, WE KEEP A FEAST FOR EIGHT DAYS, WHICH IS CALLED THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. (Jos. Ant., 2:15:1)
Both Versions practice an 8-day observance.
However, a key issue with the Modern-Hybrid System G is that it requires eating unleavened bread for 8 days. In contrast, the older Jewish System B requires it for only 7 days.
Although System B represents an entire 8-day observance for the feast, it does not explicitly require the consumption of unleavened bread on Passover Day (Abib 14). As a result, one would only need to eat unleavened bread for 7 days, specifically from Abib 15 to 21.
A Blatant Omission
What is disconcerting is the glaring omission in Fact #5, which should include the command in Exodus 12:8 requiring one 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)
Question
This raises an important question: If one is required to eat unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14, could this day actually be considered the first official day of the seven days of eating unleavened bread?
Furthermore, since there is a requirement to eat unleavened bread at the start of Abib 14, is it possible that this day also marks the beginning of the Festival of Unleavened Bread?
Only 7 Days
We must now turn to a few other Scriptures for more guidance regarding the Modern-Hybrid System G.
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)
The passages in Deuteronomy clearly indicate that the 7 days of eating unleavened bread take place from Abib 14 to Abib 20.
It is important to note that unleavened bread is to be consumed for exactly 7 days and no more. However, the Modern-Hybrid System G requires eating unleavened bread for an additional day, bringing the total to 8 days.
By shifting the Passover meal from the beginning of Abib 15 to the beginning of Abib 14, the proponents of the Modern-Hybrid “System G” are compelled to alter the straightforward instructions provided in Scriptures, which state that one should only eat unleavened bread for 7 days.
Comparing Versions
Let’s compare the Modern Hybrid Practice with the Hasidic and Pharisaic Practice. For additional perspective, we will also include the ancient Quartodeciman Practice.
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• The Quartodeciman Practice does not allow eating leavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14. Eating unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14 at sunset is required.
-Only unleavened bread is 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 eating leavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14. Eating unleavened bread at the beginning of Abib 14 at sunset is required.
-Only unleavened bread is 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 one to eat leavened bread during the early part of Abib 14 but then requires the removal of all leavening during the afternoon of the same day.
-Eating unleavened bread is not required during Passover Day, Abib 14.
-One is required to eat unleavened bread for 7 days, Abib 15-21.
Yahweh’s Truth Revealed
The Modern-Hybrid “System G” fails to hold up against scrutiny when compared to Scripture. Yahweh’s truth becomes clear when we recognize and understand the plain facts.
It is evident that if the Passover meal is changed 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 seven days can only be observed by following the dates of Abib 14-20 for both Passover and Unleavened Bread.
The key point is that one cannot take the flawed practice of an 8-day observance of Passover and Unleavened Bread, as seen with the Hasidic/Pharisaic System B, and make minor adjustments to it in an attempt to align it more closely with Scriptures, resulting in the Modern-Hybrid System G. Unfortunately, both practices continue to observe 8 days for Passover and Unleavened Bread.
For the Modern-Hybrid System G, the main concern is that it adds complexity by mandating both an 8-day observance and 8 days of eating unleavened bread, neither of which is specified in Scriptures!
Corruption of Leaven
To truly observe Passover and Unleavened Bread correctly, one must completely abandon the Hasidic/Pharisaic System B before reaching any proper conclusions. According to Scriptures, any supposed truth that contains even a trace of leaven cannot be considered true at all.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Cor. 5:6)
The True Passover & Unleavened Bread
Some may not realize that today’s practice of the Modern-Hybrid System G, which spans 8 days, appears to originate from the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and Clarence O. Dodd.
For more details, please refer to our article titled Passover – C.O. Dodds Failing.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1Thes. 5:21)
Yahweh be with you.