Because the dates of the scriptural feasts are dependant on the sighting of the renewed moon, the dates given below are only an estimate. The actual sighting of the moon may be affected by weather conditions, such as cloud cover. We depend on Devorah's Date Tree (no affiliation, other than deep respect for her work and dedication) for the actual sighting of the moon over the land of Israel. 

CURRENT MOON lunar phases

Pesach -- Passover -- (Lev. 23:5-8) After cleaning the house of all leaven (products containing yeast or other leavening agents) we hold a Seder meal to commemorate our deliverance from the bondage of slavery. This meal contains the ritual elements of lamb, bitter herbs and matzo to tell the story of our redemption. 1 Cor. 5:7-8 tells us: "Messiah our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast ..." Our Messiah Y'shua, who celebrated the Passover every year of His life on earth, identified Himself with the Cup of Redemption. He promises to celebrate again, when we are gathered to Him at His return. 

Hag Motzi -- Week of Unleavened Bread -- After we've cleaned our houses of leaven, we continue to eat unleavened bread for the week following. 

HaBikkurim -- Feast of First Fruits -- (Lev. 23:9-14) The first fruits of the barley harvest was waved before YHVH as a wave offering. According to Matthew 27:51-53 many holy people from throughout the ages were raised from the dead during this first fruits offering. 

The Omer Count -- (Lev. 23:15-16)  Take the guess work out of the Omer Count by following along on our online calendar. Make it your homepage during the Season of Counting the Omer and see the count every time you start your computer. How do we figure the omer count? We go by the oldest known records, the Septuagint, which tells us to start counting the day after the first sabbath of the feast. That means that the first of the omer is the day after the first day of the week of unleavened bread, which is the first sabbath in a week that has three sabbaths. The historian Josephus who lived during the first century also records that was the way that the omer was counted at that time. We rest on this method because Messiah Y'shua never corrected the authorities of His day regarding the observance of the Omer count.

Shavuot -- Feast of Weeks -- (Lev. 23:15-21) Seven weeks after Pesach, two loaves of leavened bread are presented as a wave offering to YHVH. This coincides with the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai to the Children of Israel and the mixed multitude that accompanied them out of Egypt. Centuries later, after the Resurrection of Messiah Y'shua, the Ruach Elohim was given to the congregation of believers at "Pentecost".(Acts 2)  If the giving of the Torah was the wedding of Am Segula (the Chosen People) to the Ruler of the universe, then the giving of the Ruach HaKodesh as a pledge of the faithfulness of His Covenant was the "renewal of wedding vows."  At our congregation, we use this feast to hold our B'nei Mitvot and wedding vow renewal ceremonies.   

Yom Teruah -- Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25) The Feast of Trumpets falls on the first day of the seventh scriptural month. Therefore, it must be watched for as one would watch for the new moon. We are commanded to hear the Trumpet / shofar, for it was with an incredible blast on the shofar that the Torah was given. Also, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 tells us that Messiah will return with the sound of the shofar. "Rosh HaShanah" is the secular name for this day. 

Yom Kippur -- Day of Atonement -- (Lev. 23:26-32) The ten days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement are known as the "Days of Awe". During that time, we examine our consciences and make amends to our fellow man and repent to our Heavenly Father. The Day of Atonement is a day of fasting, prayerful reflection and repentance, knowing that we have all fallen short of the goal and are totally dependent on the "kapparah" (covering) provided by Messiah Y'shua . 

Sukkot -- Feast of Tabernacles -- (Lev. 23:33-44) Five days after Yom Kippur is Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Ingathering or the Time of our Rejoicing, an 8-day feast when we live in sukkot (tents/huts/lean-to's). A wave offering of date palm branches, myrtle branches, willow branches and an etrog (lemon-like citrus fruit) is presented to YHVH. Just as Yom Kippur represents national atonement for Israel, Sukkot represents dwelling in YHVH's presence. It is believed by many that Y'shua was born on the first day of Sukkot and was circumcised on the eighth day of the feast. John 7:37-41 recounts a particular Sukkot in Y'shua's life, when He foretold the giving of the Living Water. Shemini Atzaret (Eighth Day of Assembly) and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah) conclude the Feast. 

Chanukkah -- Feast of Dedication -- Symbolic of cleaning and rededicating the Temple of our Hearts, this feast is recorded in the Book of Maccabees as the story of the oppressed people of Israel gaining an incredible military victory over the occupying Assyrian/Greek army. Y'shua chose this Feast to plainly reveal Himself as Messiah. John 10:22-42. 

Purim -- "Lots"  Remembrance of the events recorded in the Book of Esther. Like Esther, we are reminded that we, too, descendants of Ephraim and Judah, were born for such a time as this. 

Why do we flop back and forth between the Scriptural calendar and the Jewish calendar? Because the scriptural feasts are a non-negotiable item! Those are commanded feasts; those are the days when Yah said He would show up! It behooves us to be obedient! The traditional feasts, such as Chanukkah and Purim, were added by the authorities of their day. In that case, they get to decide when the feast is held. Whenever we can be in unity with Brother Judah, we strive to make every effort to do so! May the return of Messiah and reunification of both houses of Israel happen speedily, in our days!