Category: Scriptural Calendar

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” →

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 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” →

Seeking Yahweh’s Truth

yhwh-11For many, especially among those who assert to be followers of Yahweh, it seems that there exists an unfortunate commonality that runs contrary to what is advanced by Scriptures. This commonality can be labeled “Confusion.” Of course, this should raise a red flag as the following would indicate:

For the deity is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all assemblies of the saints. (1Cor. 14:33)

For example, this confusion can be demonstrated by the often divergent dates given by the various Sacred Name groups for Yahweh’s sacred days during any given year. For example, see Calendar Comparison.
Continue reading “Seeking Yahweh’s Truth” →

A Sabbath Year Announcement

It would be remiss of the Yahu Ranger Report if, at this time, there was not issued the report of an approaching Sabbath Year beginning at sunset on March 22 (Abib 1) of the Gregorian Year 2023.

For various reasons, there are those who would dismiss any consideration of the validity of Sabbath Years or Jubilee Years as commanded in Scriptures. (Lev. 25: 1-13)

The Yahu Ranger Report strongly disagrees with this position.

First, the knowledge of the Sabbath and Jubilee Years is essential for reconstructing the chronological framework of ancient Israelite history.

Second, once the true Sabbath and Jubilee years are ascertained, it allows us to “clock in” and discover which years are presently Sabbaths and Jubilees. This knowledge holds great significance for the followers of Yahweh.

The book of Hebrews, for example, notes that “The Law,” of which the Sabbath and Jubilee Years are a part, is “a shadow of the coming good things.” (Heb. 10:1) The Sabbath day, to demonstrate, was reckoned as a type of the great sabbatism and rest into which the people of Yahweh will one day enter. (Heb. 3:7-4:13)

Continue reading “A Sabbath Year Announcement” →

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 2

So, just how and when did the notion of a Sabbath year beginning with Tishri, the seventh month, get considered and implemented by the Jewish religious leaders? Needless to say, with Part 2 we’re going to find out.

The Transition to the Tishri Year
The New Year date of Tishri 1 for the Sabbath year is an offshoot of late Talmudic interpretation. As has been previously noted in Part 1, Scriptures never claim that the seventh month began a regular Sabbath year.

The deduction that Tishri began a Jubilee year was itself a misreading of Leviticus 25:8-13. The rabbis of the post-Bar Kochba period, in an effort to “build a fence around the Law,”21 merely extended their misreading of Leviticus 25:8-13, which dealt only with the year of Jubilee, to the regular Sabbath year.

Continue reading “Sabbath Year – Tishri Fallacy-Part 2” →

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” →

36. Passover – Atonement on the 9th?

Although all of the evidence from Scriptures unequivocally makes “between/among the arabim (evenings)” begin at sunset and end at dark, there is one challenge made by the advocates of
System B (the Hasidic position) which must be addressed: their interpretation of Leviticus 23:26-32.

This single passage is the mainstay defense used by all of those claiming that at least one arab (evening) represents the last few hours of a day (System B and System D).

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
Though the section begins by stating that “on the tenth day of this seventh month is a Day of Atonement,” a sacred convocation, and a day of humbling, i.e., fasting,1 it later gives a statement which is popularly translated to mean: Continue reading “36. Passover – Atonement on the 9th?” →

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” →

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?” →

27. Passover – Evolution to Today I

We will now focus on the evidence demonstrating the mechanics of the Christian Hasidic construct as represented by Roman assembly System E and its evolution resulting in the present-day Modern Hybrid System G as practiced by the many Sacred Name groups of today.

Just after the establishment of the System E construct, the Syrian hybrid System F was developed which was an attempt to merge the Quartodeciman System A with the Roman System E.

Eventually a more recent innovation of Passover and Unleavened Bread was created which is being followed by many present-day followers of Yahweh, the Modern Hybrid System G.

We shall begin our discussion by examining the evidence for the Roman assembly System E construct. The evidence will demonstrate the change by the western assemblies to the Hasidic method for the seven days of Unleavened Bread.

Continue reading “27. Passover – Evolution to Today I” →