Category: Passover

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” →

The Math of Passover & Unleavened Bread

A popular Sacred Name group once published a list, “10 Key Passover Facts,” 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 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.
Continue reading “The Math of Passover & Unleavened Bread” →

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” →

Beginning the New Year – Part 1


When all superficial elements are removed, we find that the entire issue of when to start the year hinges on the instructions pertaining to the Khag of Ingathering and its tequphath (season of the year).

Preliminary Statement
The late Jews tell of four תקופת (tequphath) of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), each calculated as a period following one of the days of a תקופה (tequphah): the vernal equinox, the summer solstice, autumnal equinox, and winter solstice.1

It is also important for us not to confuse the occurrence of a tequphah (i.e., equinox or solstice) with the season (tequphath) although the same word is sometimes used in common speech for both.

To begin with, a tequphah (equinox or solstice), as spoken of by Scriptures, is a solar event, marking a point of passage of the earth around the sun. It represents a day wherein one of two visual effects occur.

1. A solstice day is a day when the sun, as seen along the earth’s horizon, reaches its furthest point of rising or setting either on the north or south.

2. On the day of an equinox, on the other hand, the rising and setting of the sun lies on the horizon precisely in the middle between the two solstice points. As a consequence, the length of the periods of daytime and nighttime on that day of the equinox are almost exactly equivalent.

The Tequphath
The Hebrew word תקופת (tequphath)—various transliterated as tekufath, tequfoth, tequfath, and so forth—is a form of the term תקופה (tequphah)—tekufah, tequfah, and so forth. Tequphah is itself derived from the word קופ (quph), meaning to, “go round.”2 The term תקופה (tequphah) more precisely means, “a revolution, i.e. (of the sun) course, (of time) lapse:—circuit, come about, end”;3 a “circuit,”4 “orbit of the sun . . . circle of the year.”5

Continue reading “Beginning the New Year – Part 1” →

The Abib and Barley Error – Part 2

In Part 2 of our discussion, we will delve deeper into the Pharisaic influence on many followers of Yahweh regarding the practice of considering the maturity of barley to determine the month of Abib and the scriptural New Year.

Picking up from where we left off in Part 1, the month-name ha-Abib was next connected by the Pharisees with the day of the Omer wave offering. An עמר (omer) is a dry measure or gathering of “newly cut grain,”32 as in “a heap.”33

Omer Wave Offering
The Omer wave offering of newly cut grain was a requirement under the Torah of Moses as a gift to Yahweh, being the first-fruits  from each year’s harvest. The offering occurs in the spring at the time of Unleavened Bread and is directly connected with the Promised Land. This offering is described in detail by the book of Leviticus.

When you come into the land (of Promise) which I am giving to you, and have reaped its harvest, and have brought in this omer, the beginning (first-fruits) of your harvest, to the priest, then he will wave this omer before Yahweh for your acceptance. On the day after the Sabbath the priest will wave it. (Lev. 23:9-11)

Technically, the instructions from Scriptures do not specifically mention which first-fruits from which harvest. It only indicates in a subsequent passage that the Israelites were not permitted to eat bread, קלי (qali; roasted whole grains),34 or כרמל (karmel; fruits and produce)—all indicating a variety of produce—derived from the new year’s crops until after the Omer wave offering had been made.35

Continue reading “The Abib and Barley Error – Part 2” →

The Abib and Barley Error – Part 1

When springtime approaches, an old controversy resurfaces among the many followers of Yahweh regarding the beginning of the New Year.

Several questions commonly arise among those concerned about the New Year, such as:

•  What is the definition of a scriptural New Moon?
•  Is the sighting of a visible moon crescent required to begin the month?
•  From what location should one determine the New Moon?
•  Should the spring equinox be used to determine the month of Abib?
•  Is the formula based solely on the “green ears of barley” sufficient for the month of Abib?
•  Can calculations be used exclusively to determine the New Moons?
•  Should both the spring equinox and the barley condition be considered for the month of Abib?
•  Which group today possesses Yahweh’s truth and authority to proclaim and sanctify the true New Year?
•  Can we rely on the current Jewish Calendar for accurate dates?

As you can see, significant confusion can arise when trying to ascertain the actual truth of this matter. In other articles, we have discussed issues related to visible New Moons and calculations pertinent to Yahweh’s sacred calendar.

In this discussion, we will address the validity of the “green ears of barley” requirement for determining the month of Abib and the beginning of Yahweh’s New Year.

Continue reading “The Abib and Barley Error – Part 1” →

Passover & Water Baptism – Pt. 1

Prior to the observance of Passover during our present time, there frequently emerges a serious quest by some newer followers of Yahweh to experience a proper and valid water baptism.

The reason being that the majority of Sacred Name groups of today assert that in order for a person to partake of the Passover meal or emblems they must have undergone a mandatory water baptism in the proper name of the messiah.

It is also maintained by most of these groups that before the death of Yahushua the messiah, in order to partake of the Passover meal, all men had to be fleshly circumcised.

Different Passover Systems
We must first admit to a basic difference in the opinion about Passover. To begin with, many are often unaware that there were several different Passover systems practiced by the ancient Jews.

Continue reading “Passover & Water Baptism – Pt. 1” →

Circumcision & Passover – Pt 3

In Circumcision & Passover – Pt 2  our discussion left off with the evidence provided from Scriptures to prove that the Israelites kept the Passover in the wilderness including all uncircumcised males.

We now need to go back and take another look at Exod. 12:48 in context where the command is given for all males to be circumcised in order to partake of the Passover.

And when a stranger shall sojourn with you, and will keep the passover to Yahweh, LET ALL HIS MALES BE CIRCUMCISED, and then let him come near and keep it; AND HE SHALL BE AS ONE THAT IS BORN IN THE LAND: FOR NO UNCIRCUMCISED PERSON SHALL EAT OF IT. (Exod. 12:48)

The reader then has to proceed on to Exod. 13:5 where it states:

And WHEN YAHWEH BRINGS YOU INTO THE LAND of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jeb’usites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, YOU SHALL KEEP THIS SERVICE (the Passover) in this month. (Exod. 13:5)

It is important to now notice what happens as soon as the Israelites do cross over to the west side of the Jordan and enter the land after 40 years in the wilderness:

Continue reading “Circumcision & Passover – Pt 3” →

Circumcision & Passover – Pt 2

In Circumcision & Passover – Pt 1 we covered the testimony regarding fleshy circumcision as found in the New Testament. We will now continue on the Trail of Truth to reveal the confirmation of that testimony primarily from the Old Testament.

A close examination of the book of Genesis, for example, reveals that fleshly circumcision was not a legal requirement of the original contract made with Abram (Abraham) in the Abrahamic Covenants of Promise.

Abraham Blessed Before Fleshly Circumcision
Before the token of fleshly circumcision was used by Abraham and his household (which did not come into effect until Genesis 17), we read in Genesis 12:

Continue reading “Circumcision & Passover – Pt 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” →

Passover – C. O. Dodd’s Failing

There are those who would point to Leviticus 23:6 and insist that Abib 15 is the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread which continues through Abib 21.

And on the fifteenth day of the same month is a festival of unleavened bread unto Yahweh: seven days you must eat unleavened bread. (Leviticus 23:6)

An additional reference is also given from Numbers:

And on the fifteenth day of this month is a festival; seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. (Numbers 28:17)

For those who observe a form of the Pharisaic/Hasidic practice for the Festival of Unleavened Bread (System B and System G), these passages from Leviticus and Numbers are held as proof that the first day of the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread is Abib 15.

It is evident that when these two passages are closely examined in context, the results reveal the opposite and actually support Passover Day, Abib 14, as being the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread (System A).

Continue reading “Passover – C. O. Dodd’s Failing” →

Passover-Abib 14 is a Festival Day!

An overwhelming amount of evidence supports the observance of Passover and Unleavened Bread for seven days, specifically from Abib 14 to Abib 20. This study will demonstrate that this was the practice of Yahushua the Messiah and the early assemblies later referred to as the Quartodecimans (System A)

However, many individuals stubbornly disagree with this conclusion despite the evidence and continue to follow a modified version of the Pharisaic/Hasidic practice (System B). This newer practice incorporates an eight-day observance of eating unleavened bread, extending from Abib 14 to Abib 21 (System G).

Continue reading “Passover-Abib 14 is a Festival Day!” →

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?” →

Passover – Egyptian Confirmation

Many followers of Yahweh may be unaware of a remarkable source that provides evidence for the practice of the 7-day Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread, which occurs from Abib 14 to 20.

This source comes from an extra-biblical work known as the Book of Yashar, or Sefer Ha-Yashar.

While the current copy of the Book of Yashar should not be considered authoritative like Scriptures, its insights regarding the Passover of the Exodus are nonetheless quite informative and interesting.

Book of Yashar
– 81:5 And the children of Israel TRAVELED FROM EGYPT AND FROM GOSHEN AND FROM RAMESES, AND ENCAMPED IN SUCCOTH ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY of the first month.

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37. Passover – Deuteronomy and Ezekiel

Many promote a form of the Hasidic/Pharisaic 8-day practice of Passover and Unleavened Bread, observing it on Abib 14-21.

Two scriptural passages that are misinterpreted and then used as proof against the 7-day Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread practice of Abib 14-20 are Deuteronomy 16:8 and Ezekiel 45:21.

Before addressing these two passages, we will quickly recap the two positions.

7-Day View
• Abib 14, Passover day, is a Festival Day and High Sabbath. It is the first day of Passover week and the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. One commences eating unleavened bread just after sunset at the beginning of Abib 14.

Continue reading “37. Passover – Deuteronomy and Ezekiel” →