The appointed feasts in the Bible are primarily found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Leviticus, chapter 23. These feasts, also called "holy convocations" or "appointed times," were given to the Israelites by God and served as reminders of His provision, deliverance, and covenant relationship with them.
Here's a breakdown of the feasts, generally categorized into spring and fall feasts:
Spring Feasts:
* Passover (Pesach):
* Date: 14th day of the first month (Nisan/Abib)
* Significance: Commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The blood of the sacrificial lamb spared the Israelites from the final plague (death of the firstborn).
* Key Practices: Sacrificing and eating a lamb, unleavened bread (matzah), bitter herbs.
* Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot):
* Date: 15th-21st of Nisan (immediately following Passover)
* Significance: A week-long observance emphasizing the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, not having time for their bread to rise. It also symbolized getting rid of sin (leaven).
* Key Practices: Eating only unleavened bread, removing all leaven from homes, offering sacrifices.
* Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim):
* Date: The day after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread
* Significance: Offering the first harvest of the barley crop to God, acknowledging His provision and ownership.
* Key Practices: Offering a sheaf of the first grain to the priest, animal sacrifices.
Fall Feasts:
* Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah):
* Date: 1st day of the seventh month (Tishrei)
* Significance: A day of remembrance and sounding of trumpets (shofars), marking the beginning of the civil new year and a call to repentance.
* Key Practices: Blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation, abstaining from regular work.
* Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur):
* Date: 10th day of Tishrei
* Significance: The most solemn day of the year, a day of fasting, repentance, and atonement for the sins of the nation.
* Key Practices: Fasting, prayer, confession of sins, sacrifices (including the scapegoat), abstaining from all work.
* Tabernacles/Booths (Sukkot):
* Date: 15th-21st of Tishrei
* Significance: A week-long festival commemorating the Israelites' dwelling in temporary shelters (booths) during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. It's also a harvest festival celebrating God's provision.
* Key Practices: Dwelling in booths (sukkot), waving the lulav (palm branch, myrtle, and willow) and etrog (citron), rejoicing, offering sacrifices.
* Eighth Day (Shemini Atzeret): This is considered a separate holy day immediately following Sukkot on the 22nd of Tishrei, it marks the end of the fall feasts and a time of gathering.
Important Considerations:
* The Sabbath: While not specifically listed as a feast in Leviticus 23 in the same way, the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) is also a holy day commanded by God (Exodus 20:8-11) and is a key part of the Jewish faith.
* Modern Observance: Judaism continues to observe these feasts today, although the practices may differ slightly from the original biblical instructions (especially regarding sacrifices, since the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed).
* Christian Interpretation: Many Christians believe that these feasts have prophetic significance and find connections to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For example, Passover is often seen as foreshadowing Jesus' sacrifice as the "Lamb of God," and Pentecost (the 50th day after Passover, which is tied to Firstfruits), the giving of the Holy Spirit.
In summary, the appointed feasts were an essential part of ancient Israelite life, serving as times of remembrance, worship, and celebration, all pointing back to God's faithfulness and covenant.