AMAREL - It means "The Message or Word of God"

    Please note: The following article was written several years ago. I've updated it a bit to conform to my current understandings a bit better, but I'm learning much more about these festivals these days, and will attempt to provide a much better understanding of these Feasts as I have time to study them more carefully. In the mean time, what follows does have some real significance for any who call themselves  Believers. 
    What follows is a chart showing the main "feasts", or "appointed times" that YAHWEH established for the Children of Israel to observe. Since these were established by His Word they have great significance for all who truly Believe in Him. Sadly, the modern churches ignore these feasts, for the most part, thinking they were only for the Children of Israel, and not for the "gentile" world. This is a big mistake. It's the direct result of following the traditions of men instead of The Word of YAHWEH. They are designated in Scripture as the appointed times of YAHWEH, not as "the feasts of Israel". Since He does not change, neither do His appointed times that He has established.
    The chart below reveals some very interesting things concerning these "Feasts" in relation to childbirth. It's based on a book written by the late Zola Levitt, which tied the  Seven Feasts of Israel to the process of childbirth. (You'll note, however, that there are more than seven "feasts"). By doing so he provides a very unique insight into the connections between our very own personal existence and the Feasts of israel. Not only were the Feasts important dates to be remembered, but they also show an amazing correlation to the birth process.
    The following chart is a brief overview of the Feasts of Israel (More correctly, The Feasts of YAHWEH.). As time permits, I plan to prepare more detailed information on each of these "appointed times". Every one of them has very special significance. They should not be ignored, as most of the Christian world does today. And they should not be perverted. Easter is one of the worst perversions of these feasts. While I can't cover all the details here, suffice it to say that "Easter" refers to Ishtar, a pagan goddess of fertility. The "easter egg" and the "easter bunny" come directly from these pagan traditions, and have absolutely no place among those who Believe in YAHWEH, and in His Son, YAHUSHUA. The death and resurrection of The Messiah is far too important to be trivialized by common "Easter" celebrations.

Feast Of Passover: Pesach (Exodus 12)

    The Feast of Passover actually begins, in one sense, on the 10th of Nisan, with the selection of the Passover Lamb. The actual feast isn't celebrated until the 14th day, but the preparations begin several days prior to the actual celebration. This reflects the reality that there was a period of preparation in Egypt that preceded the actual event of The Passover. Moses pleaded with Pharaoh to let the Children of Israel go, and Pharaoh continued to refuse. YAHWEH presented many miraculous signs during those days. Even YAHUSHUA presented many signs and wonders prior to His selection as The Passover Lamb.
    Passover itself was to be celebrated on the 14th day of Nisan, at evening. This marks the beginning of a  new Jewish day - not the end of the day as we think of it. The Jewish day begins at sunset.  The 14th day, at twilight, can also be understood as the 15th day. It is the beginning of day 15, and the end of day 14. This is an important consideration when you're noting Jewish days and times of the day.
    On the 14th, at twilight, the chosen lamb was slain. This began the celebration of Passover. After the lamb was killed its blood was spread on door posts and the lintel (the top of the door). This marked the house as belonging to those who "believed YAHWEH", and obeyed his instructions (commandments). This "sign" made it clear that those in this household were not to have their firstborn killed during the night which followed. Those without this "sign of the blood" covering the entrance to their home would lose their firstborn that night as Scripture clearly tells us.
    The lamb was to be completely consumed. Any leftovers were to be burned before morning. It represented a "whole burnt offering", a complete surrender to YAHWEH. It was to be eaten in haste, with one's clothes on, one's sandals on, and one's staff in their hand - ready to depart from the bondage of Egypt; ready for deliverance from oppression. It marked the death of every firstborn in Egypt, in every family that did not observe these instructions. It signifies the death of YAHUSHUA as YAHWEH's firstborn - as our Deliverer.

Feast Of Unleavened Bread: L'Omer (Exodus 13:1-10)

    The Feast of Unleavened Bread is the next event to occur in these appointed times of YAHWEH. It began on the 15th of Nisan. As we've already noted, this is virtually the same time as the beginning of Passover. The 14th at twilight marks the beginning of the 15th of Nisan. The 15th of Nisan, therefore, is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It's a holy sabbath (a special sabbath that's different from the normal weekly sabbath). No customary work is to be done on this day. The feast is to last seven days (15th through the 21st), and on the 21st there is to be another special sabbath.
    There is to be no leaven (symbolic of sin) within any home during this period, and none is to be eaten, inside or outside of the home, during this period. It's a reminder of the unleavened bread the Israelites ate when they came out of Egypt under YAHWEH's protection. It also connects to the manna they would later be provided in the wilderness.
    In addition there was to be an offering made by fire during all seven days. It connotes the surrender of each person to YAHWEH's leadership and direction. It also reminds us of the pillar of fire that overshadowed the Israelites while they journeyed into freedom. This feast required mandatory attendance at the Temple in Jerusalem by all Jewish males - every year. It is the first of three such required appearances.

Feast of First Fruits: (See Exodus 13:11-16)

    The Feast of First Fruits is the next event on the schedule. It occurs in the midst of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It was to happen "on the day after the sabbath". The reference appears to refer to the normal weekly sabbath, rather than the two special sabbaths involved in the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is therefore understood to refer to Sunday of that week. (There are many debates concerning the timing of this, but Scripture seems to support this view when all the various elements of the feasts are taken into account.)
    This event was marked by a "wave offering" of a sheaf of the first fruits of the land. In other words, it was a harvest feast. This is very important. It is directly connected to the Resurrection of The Messiah. It represents the very first offering of the very first "produce" of the land for a given planting and harvest cycle in Israel. (Don't confuse this with your own planting and harvesting cycle.) It also involved a" lamb without blemish" as a burnt offering to YAHWEH, along with a flour and oil offering, and a wine offering. This pretty much covered "the produce of the land" in that time. Everything was presented before Yahweh with thanksgiving for what He had provided.
    Take note of the next aspect of this feast. They were to eat neither bread nor parched grain, nor fresh grain (from the harvest) until the very same day this offering was presented, and it was to be a statute forever throughout all their generations (even today). This first portion belongs to YAHWEH alone. It is representative of His desire that we put Him first in everything that we do.
    Next, from this very day, the day after the sabbath (shabbat - which was on Saturday), they were to begin "counting the omer". An omer was a measure of the grain. They were to count fifty days, which included seven sabbaths, from this day. On the fiftieth day there would be the next "feast", or appointed time of Yahweh. The concept of the fiftieth day connects to the concept of the fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee in Israel. Check this out for some interesting insights.
    Note: This feast is virtually ignored by the Christian churches of today.

Feast of Weeks: (Shavuot)

    The fiftieth day is The Feast of Weeks, or shavuot. It occurs in the third month after Passover and The Feast of Unleavened Bread. It occurs fifty days after the day after the sabbath (seven weeks of 49 days, including seven sabbaths, plus one day). It is also a harvest feast. (Are you paying close attention?) It also required mandatory attendance of every male at the Temple in Jerusalem. But it's a very unusual feast. It's quite different from the others in some rather remarkable ways. It's also called Pentecost (because of the 50 days). First Fruits and The Feast of Weeks both fall on a Sunday if it follows the view presented above.
    This feast specifically calls for leavened bread. It is the only feast that requires leavened bread. This should strike you as very unusual. But consider the fact that Pentecost, The Feast of Weeks, is now directly associated with The Church (those who truly believe in Messiah as their redeemer and Master) which began in Jerusalem after the resurrection and ascension of The Messiah, YAHUSHUA, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples of YAHUSHUA. Leaven is a symbol of impurity, of sin, and of the Gentiles. Thus, The Feast of Weeks anticipated the rejection of The Messiah by the Children of Israel, and the beginning of something entirely different. It hints at the inclusion of the Gentiles, (the unleavened) in the Kingdom of YAHWEH.
    There are some other things to note about this feast. It's believed to be the time for the giving of the Law to Moses at Sinai. It's a time of watchfulness and prayer. Normally all night is spent reading and studying YAHWEH's Word (The book of Ruth in particular.). Two loaves of bread are baked, with leaven, one for the priest and one for the people. They are prepared separately and baked separately. It's to be a "holy convocation", with no ordinary work done. There are multiple offerings by fire presented. 
    Note: This feast is often called The Feast of First Fruits, thus confusing it with the one mentioned above during Passover.. This is very strange. How does one have two feasts of the First Fruits? There are several things to consider. First, one can consider this to be the first fruits of the wheat harvest, while the one we presented previously would be the first fruits of the barley harvest. So you could see this usage as a rationale. But consider the possibility that this is symbolic of the first fruits of the Gentiles, while the first one is seen as the first fruits of the Jews. This gives this feast, in light of the rejection of The Messiah by Israel, a whole new potential significance for The Assembly of YAHWEH.
    Question: Does this present the possibility that this may just represent the timing for the Rapture of The Church - the second harvest festival? This might then make the final harvest festival, Tabernacles, the time for the Second Coming of The Messiah for His people, The Children of Israel, who will finally believe in Him as their Messiah. Each harvest festival would involve an actual "harvest" of souls who have believed YAHWEH. Each would be fulfilled in His special manner, and at His appointed time. Even the commandment to leave the corners of the field unharvested, with no gleaning, connects to such a possibility. This is not a complete harvest. Some are "left behind".
    Many fail to remember that many were resurrected at the same time as YAHUSHUA. There are several Scripture passages that identify this resurrection of dead folks. The concept of more than one resurrection, and each one being tied to a particular "appointed time of YAHWEH", each one related to a require appearance before His presence at His "residence" (tabernacle) is foreign to most people. Little to no serious thought has been given by most to such a potential connection to the Feasts of YAHWEH. It will, therefore, likely cause much consternation among "religious leaders" and their followers today. Yet what a surprise it would be for those who teach the tradition that "The Rapture" must occur at the time of our next feast, the Feast of Trumpets. The Rapture is to come: "at a time when you think not, the Son of Man comes".

Feast of Trumpets: Yom Teruah

    We now come to our next feast, or appointed time. It marks the beginning of the seventh month, as well as the start of the secular year in Israel. (Note how neither their beginning of the religious year nor the beginning of the secular year coincide with the rest of the world. Israel is set apart by YAHWEH from the rest of the world - in a multitude of ways. They are considered to be "the called out assembly".) 
As it marks the first of the month it has as least two reasons for celebration. It's to be a sabbath rest, a special sabbath when it doesn't fall on a normal sabbath. It's to include a memorial blowing of trumpets (the shofar or ram's horn). There is to be a holy convocation, with no normal work being done on this day. There is an offering by fire to YAHWEH.
    Some believe it's a call to preparation for the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, which follows on the 10th of the month. Some believe it's a warning sound, a call to battle, perhaps a spiritual battle.  Some believe it's the timing for "The Rapture" of The Church. Others have differing views concerning its significance. If you're interested you might do some research on your own to decide what you think of these views. But regardless of what you think, YAHWEH has set it aside for a special purpose. 
    As a memorial blowing it at the very least connects to Yahoshua (Joshua) and the battle of Jericho. Yahoshua has always been recognized as a "type", a foreshadowing,  of The coming Messiah. This view would provide us with insights into the presentation of the "Promised Land", Heaven. Consider the possibilities. We are to remember what YAHWEH has done for us. We are to remember His provision for our daily needs (the secular world). We are to remember His provision of a place for us. Most importantly, we are to remember HIM! Please see our page on Trumpets for a better understanding of the role of trumpets within Israeli culture.

Day Of Atonement: Yom Kippur

    The Day of Atonement is next on YAHWEH's schedule. it occurs on the 10th day of the seventh month. It involves a holy convocation, and no work at all is allowed, thus making it a bit different. It is a day to make atonement before YAHWEH, your Elohim. One was to "afflict their soul". This meant they were to confess their sin, repent of it, and seek YAHWEH's forgiveness. This was, and is, a very solemn day in the life of Israel. It's seen by many as the most holy day in their entire religious year. They were to spend from evening on the ninth day to evening on the tenth day before YAHWEH in prayer and fasting.
    Sadly, many have made this their only day of prayer and fasting, of confession and repentance before YAHWEH. It has become a ritual for them, devoid of the real meaning YAHWEH intended. It doesn't serve as a reminder of their sin, or their need for Him for the rest of the year as well. And it certainly does not make atonement for their sin. Only The Messiah, YAHUSHUA can provide that atonement, and He already has. Sadly, many of His Chosen People, Israel, have rejected His sacrifice and death as meaningless. Yet perhaps, on this day, as it precedes His Second Coming, they will one day recognize their error and yet repent of their great sin.

Feast of Tabernacles: Succoth

    The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of the appointed times of YAHWEH presented in Scripture. Like Unleavened Bread and Weeks, it is a harvest festival. It celebrates the final harvest of the growing season, and is a great and joyful celebration. It begins just five days after the Day of Atonement. The mood shifts from one of very serious contemplation to one of very great joy and rejoicing. It begins on the 15th day of the seventh month.
    Like Unleavened Bread, it's seven days long, followed by a special celebration on the eighth day. The first day is a holy convocation. no normal work is to be done. For seven days an offering by fire is presented. On the eighth day there is another holy convocation, with no normal work to be done.
    The unique thing about this feast is the "tabernacles", dwelling places, that are to be constructed. (This tradition was added at a later date. The original process did not involve these "booths". They are to be made out of a number of specific types of branches of trees. If you research these branches you'll discover many wonderful insights into why they were specified and what they symbolize. No attempt will be made here to provide those details since they are rather involved. The tabernacles are to be reminders of the tents the Israelites lived in while they were in the wilderness for forty years. They are temporary dwellings, not permanent. they remind us that we are only here temporarily. One day the things of this world will be removed, and for those who believe in YAHWEH and His Messiah there will be a totally new, and permanent, dwelling place provided for us.
    The mood of this feast is one of great rejoicing, for it points us toward Eternity. It anticipates our new permanent dwelling place in the very presence of YAHWEH Elohim and His Messiah, YAHUSHUA. For all eternity we will be free from anything that is in any manner connected with evil, pain, suffering, and death. The joy to come will be exceedingly great, and this feast calls us toward this time with great anticipation. It is a statute forever, in all generations. And while it points the way forward, it also points us backward, to remember Egypt; to remember the great deliverance YAHWEH accomplished there for His people.
    Having said that, it's very important to remember that these appointed times were created specifically for the Children of Israel. They were not prepared for, nor designed for, the rest of the world.  So please be very careful when studying them to remember to whom they apply. Learn what you can from them, but don't misapply them. They are not to be "forced" observances, but are to be completed willingly in honor of YAHWEH and his great redemption.

Feast Of Dedication: Hanukkah

    This last feast is presented because of its connection to Zola Levitt's work, and specifically to its connection to the childbirth process. It falls in the winter in Israel. It marks the rebuilding of the Temple of YAHWEH in Jerusalem, and it's rededication to Him. It also marks a miraculous burning of a normal one-day supply of oil for the lamps in the Temple. Instead of one day, the oil never ran out for eight days, until more oil could be obtained and properly prepared. It is symbolic of YAHWEH's supply of light to the world, even when the world cannot manage to provide enough for itself. 
    Many have tried to connect it to Christmas and the birth of YAHUSHUA. Yet many fail to recognize that YAHUSHUA was actually born at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, not during Hanukkah (or Chanukah). Interestingly, His conception would indeed have been about this time, however. It does have its place in the lives of the Israelites, but, again, it is not a festival for others to celebrate. And Christmas, with all its perversions, ought not be celebrated the way it is by most people in today's world either.

Conclusion

    The appointed times of YAHWEH do indeed connect in an interesting manner to childbirth, as the chart above points out. Our focus has not been on that connection, however. It's been on the significance of these special times in the life of the nation of Israel. There are many significant spiritual implications to be found in the connections to the birth cycle. It's up to you to make them, now that you understand more of the significance of the "appointed times" of YAHWEH. May He grant you the grace to see them, and to understand His purposes within them.