Festivals and Events

“These are My appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” Leviticus 23:2

Sabbath

Sabbath rest is God’s gift to mankind.  Messianic believers remember God as Creator, as well as celebrate their personal rest in the salvation of Messiah Yeshua.

  • Scripture Basis: Genesis 2:2/Leviticus 23:3/Exodus 20:8-11/Hebrews 4:9

  • Date observed: Every Friday (sundown) and ending on Saturday (sundown)

Major Spring Festivals (2020)

The Spring Holidays begin the Biblical year and reveal the first coming of Yeshua. 

Note:  All festivals begin at sundown on the evening before the date given.

Pesach, (Passover), commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as well as Messiah’s fulfillment in the holiday as the Passover Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

  • Scripture Basis: Ex. 12:1-14/Lev. 23:4-5/Deut.16:1/John 1:29/Hebrews 11:28

  • Date observed: Wednesday evening, April 08, 2020

Chag Hamatzot, (Unleavened Bread), commemorates the unleavened bread that the Israelites took with them in haste when leaving the bondage of Egypt.  It also focuses on Messiah’s crucifixion and removing our sin and spiritual leaven.

  • Scripture Basis: Ex. 12:15-20/Lev. 23:6-8/Luke 22:7/Acts 20:6/1 Cor. 5:7-8

  • Date observed: April 09-16, 2020

Sefirat HaOmer, Counting of the Omer, begins at Pesach (the festival of “physical redemption”) and counts up to 49 days until Shavuot (the festival of “spiritual redemption”).  It commemorates God giving His precious gift, the Torah, to His people at Mt. Sinai.  Sefirat HaOmer is a time of personal repentance and consecration in anticipation to encountering God.

  • Scripture Basis:  Leviticus 23:15-16/Deuteronomy 16:9-10

  • Date observed:  Thursday evening, April 9, 2020

Yom Habikkurim, Firstfruits celebrates the Wave Offering of the first sheaf of the harvest, as well as the Resurrection of Yeshua.  He is the firstfruit from the dead.  Israel was described as  the firstfruits of God’s harvest (Jer.2:3).

  • Scripture Basis: Lev. 23:9-14/Matt. 27:52-53/1 Cor. 15:20-23/James 1:18

  • Date observed: April 12, 2020 

Shavuot, Pentecost, celebrates the giving of Torah at Mt. Sinai, as well as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to the Body of Messiah Yeshua.

  • Scripture Basis: Exodus 23:15-29/Leviticus 23:15-22/Acts 2:1-42

  • Date observed: Thursday evening, May 28, 2020

Major Fall Festivals (2020)

The Fall Holidays begin the Jewish Civil Year. These holidays celebrate the anticipated second coming of Yeshua.  Preparation of our hearts is made through repentance during the prior month of Elul.

Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Trumpets, commemorates the creation of the universe and alerts the Body of Messiah to prepare for the coming King.

  • Scripture Basis: Leviticus 23:23-25/Matt. 24:31/1 Cor. 15:51-54/1 Thess. 4:13-18

  • Date observed: Friday evening, September 18, 2020

Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, focuses on the Second Coming of Messiah, Israel’s national salvation, and the final judgment of the world.

  • Scripture Basis: Leviticus 23:26-32/Hebrews 9:11-14, 22-24, 10:1-25

  • Date observed: Sunday evening, September 27, 2020

Sukkot, Tabernacles, commemorates  the huts Israel lived in during their 40 year journey in the desert, as well as celebrates Messiah’s Return during the millennial kingdom.

  • Scripture Basis: Lev. 23:33-43/Deut. 16:13-15/Zech. 14:16-19/John 7:2-52

  • Date observed: Friday evening, October 2, 2020 Thru October 10, 2020

Other Minor Festivals Observed by Beth Hallel (2019)

Purim, Feast of Lots, commemorates the victory of the Israelites from the Persians.

  • Scripture Basis:  Esther 9:20-22

  • Date observed: Wednesday evening, March 11, 2020

Simchat Torah celebrates the final reading of the year’s Torah Reading cycle and the beginning of the new cycle.

  • Date observed: Sunday, October 11, 2020

Chanukah commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple after the Israelites defeated the Syrian-Greeks, as well as celebrates Messiah as the Light of the world.

  • Scripture Basis: Daniel 11:20-45/John 8:12/John 10:22-24

  • Date observed: Thursday, December 10, 2020 sundown – Friday December 18.

  • Chanukah Devotionals Growing in the Light 2 2018 pdf  a 2 week devotional and 8 Days of Chanukah a Candle lighting family devotional

Rosh Chodesh/New Moons (2019)

“Every month on Rosh Chodesh and every week on Shabbat, everyone living will come to worship in My presence,” says ADONAI.  (Isaiah 66:23)

“He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, because in connection with him were created all things – in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities – they have all been created through him and for him. He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

In observance of Rosh Chodesh, we sanctify the coming new month by lifting up Yeshua as King over His celestial creation and praying blessings for a good month.  “May it be Your Will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that You renew for us a good month in our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah.  Amen.”

Rosh Chodesh (2020):

  • January 27 – Sh’vat 1, 5780

  • February 26 – Adar 1, 5780

  • March 26 – Nissan 1, 5780  

  • April 25 – Iyyar 1, 5780

  • May 24 – Sivan 1, 5780

  • June 23 – Tamuz 1, 5780

  • July 22 – Av 1, 5780

  • August 21 – Elul 1, 5780

  • September 19 – Tishrei 1, 5781

  • October 19 – Cheshvan 1, 5781

  • November 17 – Kislev 1, 5781

  • December 16 – Tevet 1, 5781