Bible Reading for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits

These are Scripture passages about the Biblical spring holidays of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. These verses will give you more insight into the Biblical information about these holidays, as well as events that happened at these times. Reading these passages is a great way to prepare for these holidays, and it's also a great way to celebrate and honor God on the actual days. Saturating yourself in the pertinent Scriptures is a great way to build anticipation for these special times and to calibrate yourself to our Creator's calendar! Here are Scriptures to read for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. They would also be great to study on the day of or to have children act out as part of the festivities.

Bible Reading for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits:

Exodus 12 - The Passover story of the Israelites leaving Egypt

Leviticus 25:5-12 - Instructions for keeping Passover and Unleavened Bread

Numbers 9:14 - All believers should celebrate the Biblical holidays

Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Overview of the Spring Feasts 

Matthew 26-28 - The Last Supper and Death of the Messiah 

Mark 14 - The Passover meal of the Messiah 

Luke 22 - Passover meal and interrogation of the Messiah 

John 13-17 - The words of Messiah at the Passover meal

Acts 12 - YHWH frees Peter from prison during the Feast of Unleavened Bread

Acts 20:6 - After Unleavened Bread, Paul and Luke left Philippi

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Paul admonishes believers in the Messiah to celebrate the Bible holidays

More on the Biblical holidays:
The Beginner's Guide to Passover
The Beginner's Guide to Unleavened Bread
How to Celebrate First Fruits

What is Hallowed?

If you're not familiar with the truth of what happens on Halloween and its origins, check out this teaching from Torah to the Tribes. Human and animal sacrifice, rape, ritualistic abuse, kidnapping, murder, invoking evil spirits. That's what Halloween is.
Yes, you may say, but I'm not celebrating those things.

Sure, but is the occult's black sabbath something you want to associate yourself with? Paul wrote very plainly that he would not do something if it caused his brother to stumble or fall away from the faith (1 Corinthians 8:13). Does widespread Christian celebration and acceptance of Halloween dissuade people from following Yahusha?

Who does Halloween keep from entering the Kingdom of Heaven?

Those in the occult looking for truth. If our holy days aren't distinctly different, how can they know there is a better way?

Victims of ritual abuse. Those the occult has harmed are desperate for healing and the truth and love of YHWH. But if they see supposed Bible believers dressed as witches or churches decorated with haunted grave yards those symbols are enough to trigger panic and anxiety that will keep them far away from the truth.

Women and children who have suffered domestic violence.  Millions of people have been covered in real blood. They have felt terror that those covering themselves in fake blood can't imagine. Does dressing up as a murderer or victim of a violent crime bring life to these precious ones?

Those from other religions that can see no difference in their faith. Acting like the rest of the culture doesn't show anyone who YHWH is. This denies other faiths the opportunity to see truth.

Anyone who can see the hypocrisy of the Christian faith. While most of the church is in denial about it, the rest of the world can see the clear contradiction between the teachings of Scripture and participating in Halloween. This is not exactly a call to righteous living.

There are millions and millions of people who stumble over the fact that those claiming to serve the God of Light participate in such horrible darkness. When we are involved in Halloween we are saying that the day is truly honorable and worth being set apart. That word hallow? Yahusha used it when he prayed, "Hallowed be the name of YHWH." The definition of hallow is literally to "honor as holy." Do you believe that this day of wickedness should be honored as highly as the very name of YHWH? When we participate (in any way, no matter how small) in Halloween (Hallow[ed] e[v]en[ing]), that's exactly the message we send to all of these people.

What about providing safe alternatives to Halloween? 3 John 1:11 says not to imitate evil. Imitating the evil practices of Halloween is not okay if you dial it down to "family friendly." It's still going against what Scripture expressly says and imitating wickedness. The only safe alternative is keeping YHWH's feast days. If you want to celebrate the fall harvest, do it at Sukkot when it's permissible and honorable to YHWH.

Some verses to consider before participating in the black sabbath of the occult:

Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and celebrate pagan holidays in place of YHWH's moedim.

John 8:12 - I am the light of the world whoever follows me won't walk in the darkness of Halloween.

1 Corinthians 10:21 - You cannot drink the cup of YHWH and the cup of shedim. You cannot live a righteous life and participate in demonic holidays.

Ephesians 5:11 - Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, not even once a year. Instead expose it.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 - Abstain from every form of evil. Even if it's "just for fun."

Yaakov 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion is to keep yourself unspotted from the world. All the time.

2 Corinthians 6:14 - What fellowship has righteousness with Torahlessness? What common ground is there for keepers of Torah and wickedness? None.

Yaakov 4:4 - Friendship with the world is enmity with YHWH. Even if you're just being friendly as a marketing campaign for Yahusha.

Matthew 22:37 - The first and greatest commandment is to love YHWH. Not to love the things this world does.

2 Corinthians 11:3 - I fear your minds may be corrupted away from the simplicity that is in Moshiach. I'm worried that you're doing things Yahusha wouldn't.

Deuteronomy 12:4 - You shall not worship YHWH in this manner. You can't celebrate something with origins in paganism and have it honor YHWH. He hates it.

1 Corinthians 10:9 - Neither let us test Messiah, as those who were destroyed. Do you want to find out the hard way Halloween celebration is not righteous?

1 Timothy 4:1 - In the latter times many will depart from the faith, giving heed to the teachings of shedim, believing it's okay to do things YHWH warns against.

Deuteronomy 18:10 There should not be found among you divination, enchantment or witchcraft. Whoever does these things is detestable to YHWH. Even if it's what everyone else is doing.

We have all participated in things that don't honor YHWH, but we can stop today! Do you believe that the power of Yahusha fully overcomes darkness or not? Because if it does our lives and holidays should demonstrate that.

What I'm Doing During Sukkot

I hope everyone's Sukkot is off to a great start! Ours started with a congregational gathering that was lovely, and building our sukkah (I'll share pictures later). Today's weather has been rain, which is a great reminder of how temporal a sukkah and indeed, our existence is since ours isn't waterproof! Hopefully it dries out soon.

Our culture's holidays are all one day and that's what most of us think of when we think of Scriptural based celebrations. A lot of building up to the big day and then a flurry of people, parties, rich food, and presents, and then back to work the next day. However, Sukkot is an eight day celebration and we're meant to enjoy all eight days of it! While only the first and eighth days are no-work days we should still celebrate the entire time and do things that reflect that this is a special and set apart time. Even if you are working this week take some time to enjoy this time that YHWH sanctioned as joyful.

So here's what I'm doing this Sukkot:

Spending time in the sukkah. Scripture does tell us to spend this time in a temporary dwelling. If you made a traditional sukkah or are using a camping tent or something in between, be sure you are dwelling there at least part of your day. Eating meals in the sukkah is a simple way to do something to distinguish this time from the rest of the year. It's also a great place for your Scripture study and prayer time.

Taking a trip to the farmers market. I believe in eating locally for all the normal reasons from supporting organic farmers to cutting down on fossil fuel usage, but the most significant reason to me is the understanding it gives about the word of YHWH. Scripture has deep agricultural roots from the Garden of Eden to the Olive Tree to the tree that bears fruit each month. We miss something when we don't realize that Sukkot is about celebrating the harvest. Appreciate the miracle of YHWH's provision by visiting a farm or seeing what's in season at the farmers market. Go to an orchard and pick apples or pears. Talk about how YHWH provides for our needs each season.

Praying for the Ingathering of Israel. The picture of Sukkot is celebrating the harvest of our gardens and farms. The harvest, of course, is when I go to my garden and select the good fruit and bring it to my home. YHWH promises to do the same and regather Israel (both the Northern Kingdom and the people of Judah) back to him. Prayer that His people would turn and teshuvah to him is extra special during the time of Sukkot.

Star gazing. Sukkahs are traditionally made with imperfect roofs of tree branches so the occupants can still see the stars. It is a reminder of YHWH's promise to Abraham, "Your descendants will be that many." Grab a star chart or a book on astronomy to learn more about the earthly heavens.

Listening to this song on repeat. Obviously. How do you not love Sukkos Style? I reeeeeallllly wish they would do the full song.

Giving what I can. Sukkot called for a huge offering of animal sacrifices, "beside your vows, your terumah offerings, burnt offerings, grain and drink offerings, and shalom offerings." (Number 29:12-40) Because of Yeshua we no longer need the sacrifice of animals, but I think the amount of giving YHWH expected of the ancient Israelites should tell us something. Consider giving extra to your congregation or learning of other ministries that you want to support.

Inviting friends over. This is a great chance to show others the joy of celebrating the Festivals of YHWH. Ask friends over for dinner or coffee and share what you're doing during this time. Invite your Bible study to gather in your sukkah.

Making dessert. This is a feast after all! I don't take the time to prepare fancy pastries very often but I am going to try a couple of new recipes this week. Sukkot is a joyful time and a good dessert will emphasize that and help make great memories to look back on.

What are you guys up to this week? Whatever it is, have a very happy Sukkot!

Looking Forward to Yom Kippur

Yes, you read that correctly. I am looking forward to Yom Kippur. Why? Because it is a time that YHWH designated as different from the rest of the year. He made it distinct from the other set apart days. Yom Kippur is worth celebrating and we should be excited about it.

I don't want to give you the idea that I've always felt this way. Yom Kippur used to be a day of trepidation and dread for me. An entire day without eating and drinking? That doesn't exactly sound like a joy. But it is.

It is important to know that Yom Kippur (like the rest of YHWH's festivals) is not a "Jewish holiday." While the majority of those who observe Yom Kippur may be Jewish, YHWH's intention was not to create festivals and set apart times only for a tiny fraction of His people. Yom Kippur is for all of YHWH's people, whether or not they are from the tribe of Judah.

Yom Kippur is such a strong reminder of how upside-down YHWH's ways are from what we know. It's one of those things that sounds a lot like, Blessed are the poor.... It's something totally backwards from our culture. Interestingly, YHWH deliberately placed an all-day fast in the middle of harvest season. Not eating for a day would make a little more sense in say, February, when most of us haven't seen a plant growing in months. But right now? I have tomatoes and squash in the garden, fresh peaches and a huge watermelon on my counter, just canned jars of salsa and applesauce that need put away, a bowl of peppers that need to be frozen, and a huge pile of greens that need to be dealt with. Food is in abundance right now in most of the world, and if you grow your own you're well aware of what needs picked and how you're going to freeze or store the rest. We would never pick this as the time to fast. It doesn't make sense not to partake in the good things we have. This doesn't seem like it's the best time to fast. But it is.

Why should we be excited about an all day fast?

We should have joy that we have this instruction from YHWH. In Nehemiah 8 Ezra read the Torah scroll to those in Jerusalem; many heard it for the first time and wept. While the text doesn't give a specific reason for the crying, we can surmise that they were mourning that they had not been keeping the instructions of YHWH. In Nehemiah 8:10 it says, "This day is kadosh to our YHWH: neither be sorry; for the simcha of YHWH is your strength." Don't be sad or regret this. This day is set apart to YHWH. He will give you gladness. Our greatest joy is being able to keep YHWH's word.

We are no longer dependent on the blood of animals. While we praise YHWH for providing the Levitical temple system as a temporary appeasement for our ancestors, we can be joyful that Yahusha has once and for all provided the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

It is a day of forgiveness. On Yom Kippur we should spend time in prayer asking for forgiveness and forgiving others. It is a joyous thing to be forgiven of the sins we have done. We should be happy to let go of the burden of unforgiveness against others as well.

Yahusha praises fasting. He taught that fasting, when not done to impress others, would be rewarded. Yahusha also famously fasted for forty days. One day doesn't seem so hard when we remember that.

Fasting is used to make teshuvah. In Joel 2:12 YHWH says, "Make teshuvah to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and mourning." We can use this day of fasting to return to YHWH in all areas of our lives and repent of the wrong paths that we have been on.

It gives us compassion for those with less than us. Some 800 million people, or more than 10% of the earth don't have enough food to lead a healthy life. Going without food, even for one day gives us a tiny idea of what it's like to really be hungry.

We can focus on YHWH. My favorite part of the all day fast is how much more time it gives me for study and prayer. I don't need to make lunch or keep going to the kitchen for water or figure out what to have for a snack. Each year it surprises me how much of our time is spent preparing and consuming our meals. A day set apart for Scripture reading with no distractions is okay with me.

For these reasons we can have gladness in our hearts during Yom Kippur. Why will you be joyous?

Yom Teruah Printable

I'm sharing a pretty printable today to get ready for Yom Teruah!

Yom Teruah is one of the most overlooked of the Hebrew holidays, in my opinion, so I thought it would be fun to make a sign to decorate with. How pretty are those watercolor ranunculous? (Courtesy of Angie Makes, love her stuff!) It is completely free for your personal use so download it and start getting ready for the Feasts!

Click here to download!

Celebrating Passover Seder

We took a different approach to our Seder meal this year. It was smaller, more relaxed, not quite as long. Somehow the Haggadah was condensed to a single page. There were fresh flowers, real china, and two lit menorahs. We set aside some of the traditions of hand washing, and salt water. More emphasis was placed on the Messiah than on the story of the Exodus. The evening was a beautiful celebration of the redemption of YHWH in days past, like the Israelites leaving Egypt, and of his redemption in our own lives.

We used real china for place settings and couldn't have been happier. It was a special touch in an elegant evening.

This year we had just sixteen people. The smaller group made it more like a dinner party (like the last supper).

Lighting the menorah.

Another pre-guest table shot. Each guest had a Hagaddah, a 10 Plagues coaster, and a fresh almond that I remembered to add after I took this photo. Haha.

This year's reading: "The Story of Israel."

Passing of the matzah, symbolizing his body broken for us.

I like to describe the items on the Seder plate as the Gospel in six courses. Extra points if you can see the tired little pup laying beneath the table.

 Our miracle one page Hagaddah! Nes gadol hayah sham.

 Our Passover meal included the mandatory grilled lamb, matzah, and bitter herb salad, as well as add ins like roasted asparagus and peppers, charoset, potato salad, and hummus with veggies.

 Both plates had the same things, I promise.

Our cutest attendee.

Oh these coasters? They're from Matanote on Etsy.

The third cup of wine, "I will redeem you."

Instead of afikomen we had pavlova with fresh berries and whipped cream for dessert.

Party favors?

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Passover and Feast of Matzah!

Matzah Week Pictures

Happy Feast of Unleavened Bread! My sister arrived in town a half hour before our Seder started, and it's been a great week having her here!

Remains from the Seder meal are my new centerpiece. Obviously couldn't bring myself to eat the chocolate Seder plate.

My new favorite way to eat matzah. Cream cheese and mushrooms and kale sauteed in garlic and shallots.

A friend surprised me with a copy of Paula Shoyer's The Holiday Kosher Baker. It's so fun to have a book devoted to sweet treats for the Feasts!

Another great way to eat matzah: cream cheese, smoked salmon, red peppers, and arugula.

The Passover section of The Holiday Kosher Baker.

Counting the Omer! And putting the Passover stickers to good use.

 This was not a bad situation.

Pavlova, chocolate ganache, cheesecake (sans crust), raspberries, and freshly whipped cream. All organic! Perfection.

The Passover pup!

The Meaning of Yom Kippur (Day of Covering)

What is the point of Yom Kippur for believers in the Messiah today? Do we still need this Biblical holiday in light of the Messiah's sacrifice? Yom Kippur is often called the Day of Atonement, and that's caused many believers to think that this holiday is outdated, because the Messiah has already atoned for our sins. But there is a more accurate translation of Yom Kippur that will help us to better understand the importance of this time for believers today.

The root of kippur is kapar (Strong's 3722), which means covering. Yom Kippur is the Day of Covering. Atonement is another word entirely, with different etymological roots.

The Bible does not refer to Yom Kippur as the Day of Atonement. Atonement means, "to stand as an equivalent, satisfaction, to make amends, or to procure reconciliation." That means that this would be a one-time event, like the way the death of the Messiah procured reconciliation. Did the day of Yom Kippur ever provide this sort of reconciliation? It did not.

Yom Kippur provides covering, not atonement. It is a limited, conditional reprieve. If it provided all-encompassing reconciliation to YHWH it wouldn't need to be done year after year.

Scripture does not teach that the blood of bulls and goats brings atonement or brought atonement before the Messiah. The Bible does not say that animals were sacrificed to be punished in our place. While the Levitical priesthood pointed to the work of the Messiah, it's work was ultimately very different than what the Messiah accomplished.

The root of kippur, kapar is spelled with a qof, peh, and resh. Their meanings in Paleo Hebrew:

Qof  q = open hand

Peh   p = open mouth

Resh r = head of a person

Or when you put them together, "The open hand covering the mouth of the accuser." This is what Yom Kippur is all about!

Yom Kippur is the day when YHWH stretches out his hand to cover the accusations against us. This is absolutely something we should participate in. While our sins are atoned for in the Messiah, we still live with their consequences. YHWH graciously covers us from accusation and condemnation.

Yom Kippur accomplishes covering, not atonement. YHWH commands us to keep this holy day in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29. There is no instruction from the Messiah or Paul or anyone else in the New Testament to discontinue it. Celebrating Yom Kippur is an outward expression of our inward repentance and it enables YHWH to cover the accusations against us.

Only in the Messiah is a person fully reconciled, but Yom Kippur brings the opportunity to have the accusations against us be silenced. Don't miss out on the chance to take part in this Biblical holiday!

More on Yom Kippur:
Honoring Yom Kippur as a Believer in Messiah
What You Need to Know About Yom Kippur

Ephesians 1:7 Printable for Yom Kippur