HIGH HOLY DAYS 2024

This feast celebrates the victory of the destruction of Nicanor by Judah. Nicanor's day was decreed in 2 Maccabees as a feast to celebrate our deliverance; 

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2 Maccabees 15:35-37

(35) He hanged also Nicanor's head upon the tower, an evident and manifest sign unto all of the help of the Lord.

(36) And they ordained all with a common decree in no case to let that day pass without solemnity, but to celebrate the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar, the day before Mardocheus' day.

(37) Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power. And here will I make an end.

Purim can be found in the Book of Esther; Esther 9:20-22.

This is a TWO-Day celebration that commemorates the saving of the Israelites from Haman and his wicked plan to destroy all the jews. This took place during the reign of the Persian Empire. During this two day feast, there is to be a holy convocation, and gift giving to the poor. 

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Esther 9:20-22; 

 

(20) And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

(21) To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

(22) As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

The biblical New Year begins in Spring. Spring is the season where things begin to come to life. After the season of winter, the things that were once dead begin their life cycle once again.

 

Exodus 12:2 "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you." Exodus 13:4 "This day you came out in the month Abib". Abib: Definition; Month of Flowers, To be Tender, Green, Green Ears of Corn.

Passover is an important, biblical celebration as a commemoration of the Israelites being liberated by God from slavery in ancient Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses;

 

Leviticus 23:4-8 "(4) These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. (5) In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. (6) And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. (7) In the first day ye shall have an holyconvocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

The Feast of First Fruits is a festival celebrated by the Israelites by the commandment of the Most High. We were commanded to bring our first fruits to the temple as an offering. It is also commanded that this festival is kept perpetually. Leviticus 23:9-21

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(15) And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:

The feast of Simon is celebrated to remember the victories of Simon and the children of Israel who fought against the armies that came up against Jerusalem 

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1 Maccabees 15:50-52

(50) Then cried they to Simon, beseeching him to be at one with them: which thing he granted them; and when he had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions: (51) And entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs; because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel. (52) He ordained also that day should be kept every year with gladness. Moreover the hill of the temple that was by the tower he made stronger than it was, and there he dwelt himself wit his company. 

The feast of weeks is also known as Pentecost. It is to be kept the 50th day after the first fruits.

 

(16) Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.

(17) Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord.

(18) And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord.

(19) Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.

(20) And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.

(21) And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

The feast of trumpets is to be kept on the first day of the seventh month. During this Feast, the Israelites would blow the shofar; 

 

Leviticus 23:23-25. 

(23) And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

(24) Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

(25) Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.

The day of atonement is one of the Most Sacred holy days in the Hebrew calendar. It is a day of fasting and prayer while we as a people repent to the Lord; . During this time, we self-reflect and afflict our souls seeking forgiveness and mercy unto the Lord. Leviticus 23:27-32;

 

(27) Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.

(32) It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a SEVEN-day feast; During this feast, the Israelites remember how they dwelt in booths for over forty years in the wilderness.  The first and last day of this feast are Holy Convocations. 

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Leviticus 23:33-36;

 

(33) And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

(34) Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.

(35) On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

(36) Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.

The Feast of Dedication also known as the Feast of Lights, and Hannukah is an EIGHT-day feast; John 10:22, 1 Maccabees 4:52-61. During the rulership of the Greeks, Antiochus defiled the sacred temple and command that the children of Israel were to forsake the Lord. Each person was to sacrifice unclean abominable animals at the altar of the temple. This Feast is in remembrance of Judas Maccabeus who led the revolt in defeating the HEATHENS and re-dedicating the temple back to the Lord. 

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1 Maccabees 4:52-61 (52) Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, 

(53) And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.

(54) Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals. 

(55) Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.

(56) And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 

(57) They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them. 

(58) Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away. 

(59) Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.