MOEDIM - GOD'S APPOINTED TIMES
Purim
Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people, from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews." Purim is observed each year on the 14th of Adar, celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia, as described in the book of Esther.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 | Adar 14
Passover: Festival of Redemption
Passover celebrates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. One of the major mitzvot of this holyday is the prohibition against eating leaven along with the commandment to eat Unleavened bread (Matzah). We celebrate with Israel God's deliverance from slavery and sin, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Yeshua is our Passover lamb, the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. The first two days and the last two days are Sabbaths as shown.
Sunset Wednesday to Sunset Thursday, April 8-9, 2009 | Nissan 14 - 15
Sunset Wednesday to Sunset Thursday, April 15-16, 2009 | Nissan 21 - 22
Counting of the Omer - Sefirat HaOmer
Between the holydays of Passover and Shavuot, the Omer is counted after nightfall on each evening for 49 days. The count signifies our preparation for the receiving of the Torah on Shavuot (known as the Day of Pentecost). Day One of Counting the Omer is:
Friday April 10, 2009 | Nissan 16
The Second Passover - Pesach Sheni
Pesach Sheni was traditionally celebrated by those who had been traveling or otherwise were unable to make their Pesach offering in Jerusalem during the time of the Tabernacle and the two Temples. Today, you can welcome guest to celebrate with you if they were unable to observe Pesach the month before. This is also Day 29 of Counting the Omer.
Friday, May 8, 2009 | Iyar 14
Shavuot: The Giving of the Torah
Shavuot is the culmination of the counting of the 49 days of the Omer, the 49th day being on Thursday, May 28th this year. It marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues on Shavuot just as they were in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago. It is also considered the same day recorded in Acts 2:1-4 when the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples in an upper room of the Second Temple.
Friday, May 29, 2009 | Sivan 6
Yom Teruah: Day of Blowing the Shofar (Ram's horn)
Yom Teruah is the beginning of the Days of Awe. It is a time of inter-reflection and teshuvah (repentance). The Shofar is blown to remind the children of Israel that their names are inscribed in a book, either the book of Life, the book of the undecided or the book of the wicked.
September 19 | Tishrei 1
Yom Kipur - Day of Atonement
Yom Kipur the Day of Atonement is a day of solemn fasting. It is a day of repentance and seeking God. This is a Sabbath day.
September 28 | Tishrei 10
Chanukah - Feast of Dedication
It is a time of celebration and recognizing God's miracles. The children of Israel defeated the Greek army and reclaimed the Temple. The Temple had been defiled and there was only enough oil for the Menorah to last for one day but a miracle happened and the oil lasted eight days.
December 12 - 19 | Kislev 25 - Tevet 2