Category: High Sabbaths

Passover – A Challenge: 7 or 8 Days?

A popular Sacred Name group offers an article titled “Why Passover is Not a High Day.” This article contains the subtitle “12 Reasons Why the Passover Is Not the First High Day.”

We shall present a few excerpts from the article to illustrate the reinterpretations of Scriptures utilized to justify the predetermined conclusions regarding the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread.

The following are “Reasons” 10 and 11. We will employ the following format to address the issues:

•  SNG Statement  ( Sacred Name group statement)
•  YRR Response  (Yahu Ranger response).

Reason 10

– DOES PASSOVER MEMORIAL MAKE EIGHT DAYS OF THE FEAST? –

•  SNG STATEMENT: From the time we take the emblems of unleavened bread and the cup, we are to purge (Strong’s No. 1571 ekkathairo), meaning to cleanse thoroughly, to eliminate, to purify, to get rid of the old leaven. Does this mean that we are now keeping eight days of unleavened bread rather than seven, as some allege?

•  YRR RESPONSE: The SNG STATEMENT implies that after eating the Passover meal at the beginning of Abib 14, one is to begin to purge or get rid of the old leaven that still remains in the home.

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Continue reading “Passover – A Challenge: 7 or 8 Days?” →

Passover – Tampering of Scriptures

In an effort to support an 8-day observance of Passover and Unleavened Bread from Abib 14 to 21, many self-proclaimed followers of Yahweh manipulate the straightforward message conveyed in certain scriptural passages.

For example, they cite Exodus 12:14 as evidence, claiming it has been misinterpreted. They argue that Passover Day, which falls on Abib 14, is neither a Festival Day, a High Sabbath, nor the first day of Unleavened Bread. As a result, they treat Passover Day merely as a memorial and a preparation day.

It is also claimed that the Festival of Unleavened Bread begins on their designated High Sabbath of Abib 15 and continues for six days, ending on Abib 21, totaling seven days. Yet, it’s important to note that people begin eating unleavened bread on Passover Day, Abib 14.

Therefore, when they add the one-day observance of the Passover Memorial (Abib 14) with the seven days of the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Abib 15-21), it totals eight days of eating unleavened bread.

However, the information provided to support this eight-day practice lacks scriptural backing. Nowhere in the Scriptures is there any instruction to eat unleavened bread for a total of eight days.

Continue reading “Passover – Tampering of Scriptures” →

Passover – Examining Abib 10 to 13

Among the four Gospels, many people believe that the book of John presents a narrative that contradicts the accounts found in the other Gospels regarding Yahushua the Messiah’s last Passover supper, commonly referred to as the “Last Supper.”

This perception has led some to argue that Yahushua never actually ate the Passover supper since it took place on the evening of Abib 14, one day before Abib 15, the date recognized by Jewish religious leaders as the official observance of Passover.

Some critics claim that Yahushua’s Last Supper on Abib 14 was not a genuine Passover meal, suggesting that he knew he would be dead and unable to celebrate the actual Passover on Abib 15.

Others propose that, due to this unique situation, an exception was made for Yahushua by Father Yahweh, allowing him to observe a valid Passover one day early, thus bypassing the Law.

But are any of these claims valid?

Continue reading “Passover – Examining Abib 10 to 13” →

Beginning the New Year – Part 2

In our previous discussion, Beginning the New Year – Pt. 1, we explored the Hebrew terms תקופה (tequphah) and תקופת (tequphath).

We learned that a tequphah refers to a solar event and marks a specific point in time, which could be an equinox or a solstice.

We also noted that a tequphath represents a season of the solar year. The two seasons used for calculating Festival Days are spring-summer and autumn-winter.

With this understanding, we will continue in Part 2 by examining the Festival of Tabernacles and the Festival of Ingathering. We will uncover how both festivals relate to determining the scriptural New Year.

Khag of Tabernacles
We need to understand the distinction between the labels “the Khag (Festival) of Ingathering” and “the Khag of Tabernacles.” The latter is actually just a part of the former. The instructions from the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus regarding the seven-day Khag of Tabernacles state:

Continue reading “Beginning the New Year – Part 2” →

Circumcision & Passover – Pt 1

There is a belief among some proclaimed followers of Yahweh that in order for men to partake of the Passover, they must first be circumcised of the flesh.

Fleshy circumcision is also held by some as a proof that Passover is not an actual Festival or Feast Day for the reason that the lack of circumcision would prevent individuals from participating in a required sacred day of Yahweh.

What do Scriptures actually say concerning this issue?

If you are interested in finding out the truth of the matter then it would be advantageous for you to continue with our investigation.

Before we can directly address the issue of circumcision as it relates to Passover we must first determine if Scriptures demand fleshy circumcision in order for men to be saved.

Usually two reasons are given by the advocates of circumcision:

• Abraham was circumcised and he was commanded to circumcise all the males of his household.

• Fleshly circumcision is required in the written Torah of Moses (Old Covenant).

Continue reading “Circumcision & Passover – Pt 1” →

New Moons – Visibility or Calculation?

When discussing the determination of New Moons, whether by visibility or calculation, several questions arise regarding the truth of the matter as presented by Yahweh.

Many religious leaders have convinced a significant number of people that one must not only see the visible crescent of the new moon but also assess the greenness of the barley crop to determine the New Year.

These leaders assert they possess the true criteria for establishing Yahweh’s calendar and claim that their knowledge and understanding are derived directly from the Scriptures.

Additionally, these religious leaders assert that their method for determining New Moons is relatively straightforward and rooted in Scriptures. They claim it is so simple that Yahweh has made it accessible for almost anyone to determine the start of months and years, regardless of their circumstances.

However, not everyone may find it easy—if you do not have perfect vision or are not a farmer, you might encounter some challenges.

Continue reading “New Moons – Visibility or Calculation?” →

Sabbath Year – Tishri Fallacy-Part 1

For those who are interested in observing the Sabbath years it would be very beneficial, at least from Yahweh’s perspective, to know what month actually begins the Sabbath year, Abib or Tishri.

There are many who actually believe that the Sabbath year begins with the seventh month of Tishri and not with the first month of Abib (Nisan).

It has also been extrapolated by many that not only should Sabbath years commence according to a Tishri reckoning but that every year should begin with the seventh month of Tishri.

If one believes that such a notion is found in Scriptures, then it is suggested that one take a closer look at the relevant facts of the matter.

In order to addess this issue we must contend with the concept that the Jews, from the time of their return to Judaea from Babylon in 538 B.C.E. until the end of the Bar Kochba revolt (135 C.E.), officially began their Sabbath years with Tishri 1 (Sep./Oct.) of the sixth year of the Sabbath cycle, as had become their custom sometime after the Bar Kochba war.

Continue reading “Sabbath Year – Tishri Fallacy-Part 1” →

34. Passover – Between the Evenings

Do Scriptures actually reveal that the Festival of Passover is the first of the 7 days of Unleavened Bread lasting from Abib 14-20?

During the process of finding out the truth of the matter, the evidence from 33. Passover – Evening Begins the Day has firmly established that the Hebrew term ערב (arab; evening) begins at sunset, the period of twilight, and is the first part of a new day.

Our attention will now turn to the expression “בין הערבים (byn ha-arabim; i.e., between, among, in the midst of, or within the arabim (often translated “evenings”).1

For those who are seeking the clarity of Yahweh’s  truth of the matter, the following investigation will prove to be quite revealing.
Continue reading “34. Passover – Between the Evenings” →

32. Passover – Exodus Interrogated III

In our last post, Passover – Exodus Interrogated II, we uncovered an additional eight points of evidence dealing with our investigation of the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread:

8. There are a total of 7 days of eating unleavened bread.

9. The first and seventh days are High Sabbaths.

10. It was during the night of Passover, Abib 14, that the Israelites came out of Egypt, the house of bondage.

11. The Hebrew terms arab (evening) and byn ha-arabim (between the evenings) are synonymous and mean the time period just after sunset and before dark which begins the scriptural day.

12. One is to eat unleavened bread from the beginning of Abib 14 until the beginning of Abib 21 for a total of seven days of eating unleavened bread.

13. After the killing of the Passover lamb, the sprinkling of blood on the door frame, and the Passover meal at the beginning of Abib 14, the Israelites were not to leave their houses until morning.

14. It was the destroyer named Yahweh who killed all the Egyptian firstborn.

15. The day of Passover is to be observed as an ordinance or statute until a future world-age lasting time.

We will now proceed to solve this case with our third and final installment.

Continue reading “32. Passover – Exodus Interrogated III” →

31. Passover – Exodus Interrogated II

So far, the interrogation from Passover – Exodus Interrogated I has produced the following primary evidence:

1. Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron on Abib 1 of the New Year.

2. The Passover lamb was to be taken on Abib 10.

3. The lamb was to be kept until the beginning of Abib 14.

4. The lamb was to be killed just after sundown at the beginning of Abib 14, and its blood was applied to the doorframe. It is immediately cooked and eaten.

5. All remains of the lamb were to be burned by early morning before sunrise of Abib 14.

6. Yahweh would pass through Egypt during the night of Abib 14, killing all the firstborn except Israelite houses applied with the blood of the lamb.

7. Abib 14 is a Festival Day.

Let us continue.

Continue reading “31. Passover – Exodus Interrogated II” →

30. Passover – Exodus Interrogated I

What does the book of Exodus really say regarding the observance of the Festival of Passover? Also, what about the Festival of Unleavened Bread?

There are two main popular understandings:

• According to the Hasidic Jewish view (System B) the Passover lamb was killed during the afternoon of Abib 14 and the Passover supper took place after sundown on Abib 15.

Abib 14 is a preparation day and not a High Sabbath. Abib 15-21 is the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. Abib 15 and 21 are High Sabbath days. There are 8 days of eating unleavened bread.

• Among the Sacred Name groups of today, most hold to the Modern Hybrid view (System G) whereby, at the Exodus, the Passover lamb was killed at the start of Abib 14 after sundown and the Passover supper eaten that night.

Like the Hasidic Jews holding to System B, they consider Abib 14 to be a preparation day and not a High Sabbath. Abib 15-21 is the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. Abib 15 and 21 are High Sabbath days. There are 8 days of eating unleavened bread.

For the seeker of truth, we are only left with the following possibilities.

1. One system is right.
2. Both systems are wrong.

If you have a strange suspicion that the second answer is more correct, then it is suggested that you read on.

Continue reading “30. Passover – Exodus Interrogated I” →

29. Passover – What Now?

So far, this Passover Series has endeavored to lay the groundwork for a much-needed and long-overdue discussion regarding the correct method for observing the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread.

What has been lacking from any previous discussions, especially among the various Sacred Name groups of today, is the history of the earliest Christians and their Passover practice during the first few centuries C.E.

One of the reasons for this oversight is the fact that many are not even aware that such a history exists!

To counter the ignorance of historical evidence, this Series has brought the true Passover practice of the Quartodecimans to light, along with the importance of being included as a consideration in the ongoing quest for Yahweh’s truth of the matter.

Continue reading “29. Passover – What Now?” →

28. Passover – Evolution to Today II

What had begun in c.196 C.E. as a challenge to the Quartodeciman practice of Passover/Unleavened Bread (System A) by Victor, bishop of Rome, was finally granted full authority throughout the Roman empire at the behest of Emperor Constantine.

Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E.

Authority from Constantine
One of the results of this conference was the declaration by Constantine that the Hasidic view for the seven days of Unleavened Bread, as instituted by Pope Victor, was the correct system under the Torah.

Continue reading “28. Passover – Evolution to Today II” →

26. Passover – Roman Corruption II

Regarding the Roman construct (System E) of the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread, we will now address the protagonists of this Christian Hasidic practice who opposed the Quartodecimans (System A) and the Quasi-Quartodecimans (System D).

Irenaeus
Irenaeus (c.140-202 C.E.), presbyter and bishop of the diocese of Lyons, Gaul (France),1 was a vital player in the formulation of this new Roman assembly view.

Though early in his life he lived in Asia among the Quartodecimans and personally knew Polycarp, in his adult life he helped direct the western assemblies toward their new path.2

Continue reading “26. Passover – Roman Corruption II” →

25. Passover – Roman Corruption I

The Quartodecimans argued that Christians should observe only the 14th as the Passover supper and Eucharist mystery (cup and bread) because the messiah and his disciples kept that same day.

Nevertheless, there was strong resistance by the Roman assembly.

The Quartodeciman (System A) and Quasi-Quartodeciman (System D) practice was made more difficult to overcome by the fact that they were both based upon the same apostolic authority (the apostle John).1

It soon became obvious that if the Roman assembly was to gain political dominance in the West, as well as over many of the eastern assemblies, a new strategy was required.

In response, during the last decade of the second century C.E., the western leaders and theologians developed a new approach: the Roman assembly Passover and, after the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E., canonized as the Roman Catholic Passover (System E).

Continue reading “25. Passover – Roman Corruption I” →