Passover, as established by YaHuWaH, is far more than a memorial of Yisra’El’s deliverance from Mitsrayim (Egypt). It is a covenant sign between YaHuWaH and His people, a remembrance of His power to redeem and a call to personal obedience. As written in Shemoth (Exodus) 12:14, 17, 24, and 42, this observance is to be kept by all generations forever.
There is a distinction in our time between the modern State of Israel, a secular nation governed by human law, and True Yisra’El, the spiritual nation comprised of those who walk in repentance and covenant obedience to YaHuWaH’s Torah. True Yisra’El consists of those who guard and do His statutes, judgments, and ordinances, not trusting in military strength or political structures, but placing their hope in YaHuWaH alone (see Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 31:1).
Individual Participation Required
Unlike the Day of Atonement, which involves the entire nation, Passover is observed on the household level and requires each participant to actively obey. As YaHuWaH declared, no one may eat of the Passover lamb unless the males in that household are circumcised. This command remains unchanged. In fact, Yeḥezqĕ’l (Ezekiel) 45 confirms that Passover will still be kept in the Millennial reign, which supports the enduring nature of YaHuWaH’s instructions.
The Ger and the Ezrach
The Hebrew word Ezrach (Strong’s H249, אֶזְרָח) refers to a “native-born”, not merely one born in the land of physical Yisra’El, but one who has entered covenant through obedience to Torah. This person is spiritually “born from above,” as Yahusha would later teach.
Before one may become an Ezrach, he must first be a Ger (Strong’s H1616, גֵּר), a sojourner, a newcomer who joins himself to the people of Yisra’El through repentance. The Ger is one who, regardless of his nation of origin, turns to YaHuWaH, accepts His covenant, and begins to live by His commandments.
Once the Ger has been circumcised, first in the heart, and then in the flesh, he may partake of the Passover, as written:
And when a stranger [Ger] sojourns with you and shall perform the Passover to YaHuWaH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and perform it. And he shall be as a native of the land [Ezrach]. But let no uncircumcised person eat of it. There is one Torah for the native-born and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” – Shemoth (Exodus) 12:48–49
This is the Scriptural process of grafting in: the Ger becomes part of Yisra’El and, through obedience, is treated as one native-born.
Circumcision: A Covenant Sign
Circumcision is commanded from the time of Aḇraham:
And a son of eight days is circumcised by you, every male child in your generations… And an uncircumcised male child… shall be cut off from his people — he has broken My covenant.” – Bereshith (Genesis) 17:12–14
Though babies are circumcised by the faith of their parents, those who come into covenant later in life, as Gerim, must choose obedience for themselves. This act is not a mere ritual; it is a sign of the everlasting covenant in their flesh.
Even in the future reign of Yahusha, YaHuWaH says:
No son of a foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, comes into My set-apart place.” – Yeḥezqĕ’l (Ezekiel) 44:9
Thus, both the heart and the flesh must be in alignment with YaHuWaH’s covenant for full participation in His moedim (appointed times), including Passover.
Passover is a set-apart moed, a personal call to obedience, and a covenant meal. While it is remembered corporately, the requirement is individual. Each household must prepare, cleanse, and obey. The Ger who joins himself to Yisra’El through repentance and Torah obedience is welcomed, but he must walk the full path of covenant.