And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:1-2
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Sabbath / Shabbat
It was YaHuWaH who first rested, and He wants us to remember that His work of creation was finished on the seventh day. When we think of the finished work of Yahusha when He went to the Tree and said, “it is finished”, how much more should we honor His Shabbat?
“Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:3
Passover / Pesach
Passover is a beautiful time of year. The moed teaches us about freedom from bondage, salvation, redemption, and YaHuWaH’s great love for His people. It is sometimes called “the time of our joy” or “the time of life”. As we examine what Scripture says about this special day, we find some specific commandments concerning the original event in Egypt and others concerning the annual remembrance of the event.
“In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Pĕsaḥ to יהוה.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:5
Unleavened Bread / HaMatzot
The Feast of Unleavened Bread occurs the day after Passover/Pesach and gives us a picture of removing sin from our lives immediately, as we are set free from bondage in Egypt. In this feast, we see the sinless Messiah and the sanctifying work of YaHuWaH’s Ruach HaQodesh.
“And on the fifteenth day of this new moon is the Festival of Matzot to יהוה – seven days you eat unleavened bread.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:6
Day of First Fruits / Yom HaBikkurim
This offering of the first sheaf (omer), the day after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, was the first act of worship after entering the Promised Land’s harvest cycle. Before anything else was eaten, before the rest was enjoyed, the very first and best was brought to YaHuWaH. Yahusha rose on First Fruits, the day after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, exactly when the priest would wave the first sheaf before YaHuWaH.
“Speak to the children of Yisrael, and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:10.
Feast of Weeks / Shavuot
The moed of the Feast of Weeks is also known as Shavuot (Shavuot means “weeks”). In Christian nomenclature, it is called Pentecost (which comes from the Greek word pentekostes, meaning “fiftieth”). It occurs 50 days after Passover.
‘And on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do no servile work on it – a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:21
Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah
The Feast of Trumpets means the Day of the Shofar Sound, also known as Yom Teruah. It occurs six cycles of the month (i.e., six months) after Pesach on the first day of the seventh month in the Biblical calendar. It marks the end of a long, hot, and dry summer and the beginning of the fall festivals.
“Speak to the children of Yisrael, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you have a rest, a remembrance of Teruah, You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:24-25
Day of Atonement / Yom HaKippurim
The moed of Day of Atonement is also called Yom HaKippurim. It occurs nine days after the Feast of Trumpets/Yom Teruah on the tenth day of the seventh month in the Biblical calendar.
“On the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom haKippurim. It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. “And you do no work on that same day, for it is Yom Kippurim, to make atonement for you before יהוה your Elohim.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:27-28
Feast of Tabernacles / Sukkot
The second last of YaHuWaH’s appointed times is the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths or Sukkot. This moed occurs on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, four days after the Day of Atonement/Yom HaKippurim. The moed pictures the day Messiah returns to dwell [tabernacle] among His people for a thousand years. This “Return of the King” is something believers have been yearning for almost two thousand years.
“Speak to the children of Yisrael, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Sukkot for seven days to יהוה. ‘On the first day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.”
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:34-35
The Eighth Great Day / Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret, the eighth day immediately after the seven days of Sukkot, is commonly thought to be part of Sukkot. Still, it is a moed in its own right that does not involve the special observances of Sukkot.
“For seven days you bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. On the eighth day there shall be a set-apart gathering for you, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. It is a closing festival, you do no servile work.” Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:36
These are not just ancient customs, they are divine appointments.
Each Feast of YaHuWaH is a prophetic blueprint, revealing His plan from creation to restoration. From Passover to Sukkot, we’re not just remembering history,we’re rehearsing the future. The First Fruits offering points to the resurrection of Messiah and the coming harvest of souls. Shavuot speaks of His Spirit and His Word. Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot all point to the return of our King and the establishment of His reign on earth.
As we keep these set-apart times, we align ourselves with His calendar, not the world’s. We come out of man-made tradition and into covenant. This is the call: to return to the ancient paths, walk in obedience, and prepare as a Bride made ready.
The Feasts are a sign. They are a witness. And they are a call to those with ears to hear:
Come out. Return. Watch. Prepare. The King is coming.
