We have explained why we follow the Sighted Moon /Aviv Calendar. Judaism today follows the calendar introduced by Hillel II in 359 C.E. Hillel was not the originator of the changes to the calendar. The changes started much earlier. In this article we will explain what these changes are and why we do not follow the calendar of Judah.
Every year during the start of the annual cycle of biblical feasts, as determined in Leviticus 23, there is a question that starts to show up in all the Messianic circles – “Will the barley be abib?” For people new to this walk it is at first a very strange way of determining the year. Once you get to know the agricultural base of the biblical calendar these do start to add up. However, where does this frantic barley search come from? Is it a biblical commandment for us to search for the barley or is it simply a traditions that we have seen from the Karaites and now we also decided to do it? This article will investigate if there is any biblical foundation for this search.
Our journey in life is part of a cycle. Everything in life is cyclical. Just look at nature – the cycle of life… we are born into this world, we grow up and we grow old and we die. Our life can be meaningful or meaningless. Our choices determine which one it would be. In the Bible there are also different cycles: cycles of righteousness and cycles of unrighteousness; even cycles of punishment. We choose which of these cycles apply to our lives. We can choose obedience to YHVH – learning from His cycles of righteousness and live a meaningful life or choose disobedience and live with the consequences. The world is starting to experience the consequences of disobedience to Yahovah – Yahovah is calling us back to Him.
I have recently read an article stating that Rosh Chodesh (New Moon day) is to be celebrated as a Sabbath. The article contained some scriptural references that made me re-evaluate my understanding of Rosh Chodesh. Having investigated these scriptural references in their context, I have again come to the conclusion that Rosh Chodesh is not a Sabbath but, should be celebrated as an appointed feast with some very specific instructions. Let me explain…