The New Moon – Who Knew?
New Moon Observance
I had been reading the five books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) every year for five years and observing the Sabbath, Feasts and Festivals for five years. But as many times as I’ve read the Bible and practiced the Feasts, Yehovah never fails to show me new insights every time. This year has been no exception.
I had signed up to speak on the portion of scripture called “Phineas,” Numbers 25-30. Not knowing what I would speak about, I figured there was plenty to choose from. Numbers 28-29 are commonly referred to for teachings on observing Yehovah’s appointed times or Holy Days.
As I came to those chapters, I read quickly through the list: The daily offerings, the Sabbath, the New Moon, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost… Wait, the New Moon? When did they start that? Is that one of Yehovah’s appointed times? Why have I never observed this day? I decided I had to look into this. (more…)
Month 8 – Cheshvan: A New Beginning
The eighth month on the Hebrew calendar centers around the theme of renewed life – where righteousness and sin are separated from each other. From our Torah readings, to Noah, to the New Heaven and Earth, and even the name of the month itself, we see this pattern of renewed life over and over this month. (more…)
Month 7 – The Feast of Trumpets & the New Moon
What’s the only feast that falls on a new moon? Feast of Trumpets! The Feast of Trumpets always begins on Tishrei 1, the beginning of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. It’s always marked by a new moon.
Genesis 1:14 tells us:
“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;'”
Month 6 – Elul: Preparation for the Day of Atonement
On the Hebrew calendar, Elul is the sixth month of the year. On the 10th day of last month – the month of Av – we began the Season of Comfort. The season of comfort continues seven weeks, until the first day of next month, which is Tishrei 1, the same day as the Feast of Trumpets. So we have seven weeks in the Season of Comfort, Av 10 to Tishrei 1.
Elul 1 also marks 40 days until the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is always on Tishrei 10.
Month 5 – Av: Mourning Turns to Joy
The Month of Av is the fifth month of the year on the Hebrew calendar. We are still in the season of Judgment & Exile as the month of Av begins. But during Av, the seasons change. Similar to the Gregorian month of March, we have the expression “In like a Lion, out like a Lamb,” so the month of Av can be broken into two phases.
Month 4 – Tammuz: A Season of Judgement; A Call to Repentance
Tammuz is the fourth month on the Hebrew calendar. It is considered a season of Judgment and Exile. This season includes all of Tammuz and half of next month, the month of Av.
There are six references to Tammuz (or the fourth month) in the Bible: (more…)
Month 3 – Sivan: Return, Revelation & Blessing
The month of Sivan is the third month of the year on the Hebrew calendar. The rabbis have called this season the “Season of Revelation,” primarily referring to the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, which most believe was the day of Shavuot/Pentecost. Shavuot always falls during the month of Sivan. As Messianic believers we also know the revelation of the Holy Spirit was poured out 1,500 years later on the same day. (more…)
Month 2 – Iyar: The Narrow Road Leads to More Revelation
Iyar is the second month on the Hebrew calendar. During the first month, we’ve experienced Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Firstfruits, and are now going through the Omer Count.
Although it’s growing, there’s still a relatively small group of people observing the feasts and keeping Sabbath compared to the mainstream. We’ve chosen a narrow path. The Feast of Unleavened Bread that has just completed is a time of distinguishing between leaven and unleavened bread, symbolizing our goal of separating sin from righteousness. The number of people eating this way for a week is pretty small. It’s likely that those currently counting the omer for 49 days is even smaller. We’re going against the grain. It’s what I’d call “the narrow path.” (more…)
Month 1 – Preparing Ourselves for the Spring Feasts, Part 1
The Spring Feasts begin with Passover during the Hebrew month of Nisan. On the Hebrew calendar, the Feasts always begin during the month of Nisan. But “Nisan” is a Babylonian name adopted well after the original command to observe Passover. In looking at the Hebrew name of the month, I found it was actually much more – more than a name or even a month. It’s a season, a designation, a process – the understanding of which brought all new revelation about the significance of the Spring Feasts. (more…)
Month 13 – Adar II: But Wait, There’s More!
There’s more time added on to the Hebrew year, and there’s more that Yehovah wants to teach us about this season. A 13th month on the Hebrew calendar only happens in leap years, so the 13th month is called Adar II. While the 13th month is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the month of Adar or the 12th month, is mentioned eight times in scripture. Here’s how a leap year works and what these eight scriptures reveal about this season. (more…)
Month 12 – Adar: Are you Ready?
Adar is the last month on the Hebrew calendar. Adar marks the end of the year and the following month is the first month of the year, Nisan. To understand the month of Adar, we must first understand the month of Nisan. (more…)
Month 11 – Shevat: A Month of Preparation for the New Year
The Hebrew year has 12 months (13 in a leap year). A Hebrew month starts when the first sliver of the new moon can be seen on the horizon just after sunset. The month of Shevat usually begins in January on the Gregorian calendar. It is the 11th month of the year. So we’re just about through the whole year at this point.
I want to set the context for this month by looking at the new year coming up on the Hebrew calendar, so we can see where we’re headed. (more…)
Month 10 – Tevet: A Contrast of Judgement & Victory
The month of Tevet is the tenth month on the Hebrew calendar and usually starts in December on the Gregorian calendar.
Similar to weather-related seasons, the Jewish Rabbis have created spiritual seasons that we cycle through during the 12 months on the Hebrew calendar. The Rabbis consider Tevet part of the “Season of Victory.” This season includes the last half of the month of Kislev, all of Tevet, plus the next two months – a total of 3.5 months (4.5 months during a leap year). (more…)
Month 9 – Kislev: A Contrast Of Light & Darkness
Kislev is the ninth month of the year on the Hebrew calendar.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the ninth and tenth months are the darkest of the year – the nights are longer than any other time. In the Southern Hemisphere, they are the lightest season of the year – the days are longer than any other time.
But the winter solstice always falls this time of year. The winter solstice is the day the light and dark begin to reverse. In the Northern hemisphere the days start getting longer; in the Southern hemisphere the nights start getting longer.
It’s a contrast of extremes – It gets darker and darker until, on one day, it stops, and begins to get lighter and lighter. On our Gregorian calendar that day is always December 21. (more…)
Messianic Sabbath 