Chapter 4

Jewish Festivals

Learning Objectives: Let us learn about the various fasts and festivals observed by
the Jews. Let us also know more about the feasts observed in our Church. Let
us participate more actively in observing these feasts and receive the Lord’s
blessings through them.
Verse to be Memorized: “Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.”
“Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God” (Exodus
23:14, 17).
Learning Aids: The Holy Bible, the Liturgical, Book of Church Festivals, The
Liturgical Book of the Holy Eucharist, and the Book of Common prayer.

Introduction
All major religions of the world observe feasts. The meaning and rituals
associated with each festival are different. Can you name some of the feasts of our
Church? We observe Christmas, Easter, The Pentecost, Feast of Tabernacle etc.
Can you name some more feasts? Similarly there were certain feasts observed by
the Jews. Let us learn about some of their feasts in this lesson.

Reading Passage
The scriptures of Jews, and the Pentateuch refer to certain feasts of the Jews.
However the other feasts observed by the Jews originated during the course of their
later history. Hence we can generally divide Jewish Feasts into two.
1. Canonical Feasts and 2. Non-Canonical Feasts
The first group consists of the feasts prescribed in the scriptures. The second
refers to the feasts which developed during the later stages. The major canonical
feasts were the Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15), Feast of
Tabernacles and The Pentecost. The important non-canonical feasts are Purim and
29
Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). Besides, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
also emerged as an important festival.

Canonical Feasts
Exodus 23:14-17 contains instructions for observing the three major feasts.
This calendar of feasts is connected with the agricultural seasons of Israel. The
feast of Unleavened Bread was observed in the month of Abib. Feast of Harvest was
observed when the first fruits of an year were collected. At the end of the harvest
season came the feast of ingathering. All men were come before God on these three
feasts (Exodus 23:17, 34:23).

1. Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover

This is the first one in the calendar of feasts of the Jews. The Jews had to eat
unleavened bread for seven days. This feast was observed in commemoration of
God liberating the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 23:15). The feast began on 14th of
Abib, the first month according to the Jewish calendar. On the evening of that day
the Jews should sacrifice an animal and should observe the Passover (Leviticus 23:5).
From the fifteenth day onwards the feast of unleavened bread should be observed
for seven days. There should be a convocation on the first and the seventh day
(Leviticus 23:6-8). The unleavened bread was a symbol of affliction and haste
(Deuteronomy 16:3). Some scholars are of the opinion that two rituals of separate
origin might have been clubbed together in this feast (Deuteronomy 16:1-8, Leviticus
23:6, Exodus 12, Numbers 28:16-17). According to this view, passover had been a
ritual of nomadic herds and feast of unleavened bread had been an agricultural
festival of the Canaanites. The Israelites combined both these practices into a single
feast. Originally the Passover was not a pilgrimage feast. But since King Josiah of
Judah convened all his people at Jerusalem and observed the Passover (BC 622) (2
Kings 23:21-23) this became a feast to be observed at Jerusalem annually. Earlier it
had been a feast observed in Jewish homes. The animal killed was according to the
size of the household and feast had been eaten in haste (Exodus 12). The description
that this feast would redeem the first born from death and the Angel of Death
would passover the houses of those who observe it confirms, that it had been a
household feast (Exodus 12:13).

Pause and Reflect

1. What are the different types of Jewish Feasts? Which are they?
2. What is the meaning of the word ‘Passover’?
3. How did the Passover become a pilgrim festival?
30
2. “Feast of Weeks” or The Pentecost
This is the second festival according to the Jewish calendar (Exodus 23:14-17).
This feast was to be observed seven weeks after the observance of the feast of
Unleavened Bread (Deuteronomy 16:9-11). This is also known as the Feast of First
Fruits and is observed on a single day. The scriptures command that no one should
appear empty handed before the Lord on that day (Deuteronomy 16:16-17, Leviticus
23:17-20). The Jews should make a special offering of atonement besides the meat-
offering and drink-offerings on that day (Numbers 28:26-31). The word ‘Pentecost’
means ‘fifty.’

3. Feast of Tabernacles
This is a great feast observed after the harvest is completed. Under the clear
skies of spring, people build booths or tabernacles and leaving their homes would
dwell in them for a week. This feast was a memorial of the Israelites living in booths
or tabernacles in the desert (Leviticus 23:42-44). This Feast falls on the week that
succeeds the 15th day of the seventh month (Thishri) (Leviticus 23:33-36). It was to
be observed when all the grain and wine are collected (Deuteronomy 16:13). In the
post exilic period people celebrated this Feast as a pilgrim festival (Ezra 3:4, Zechariah
14:16, 18-19). Feast of Tabernacles was the last of the Jewish festivals according to
their calendar (Exodus 23:14-17, Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 16).

Pause and Reflect

1. Give the alternative name of the Feast of the Pentecost.
2. How did the name ‘The Pentecost’ evolves?
3. Which was the Feast of First fruits observed by the Jews?
4. What historical event was commemorated through the Feast of Tabernacles?
5. When was feast of Tabernacles observed?

Other Jewish Feasts that can be included in the list of Canonical Feasts were
Sabbath, Sabbatical Year and Yobel Year. Israelites understood that the periods, seven
days, seven years and fifty years were specially set apart for the Lord. They were
times of ‘rest.’ The observance of Sabbath had its origin in God’s act of Creation
(Exodus 20:8-11; Genesis 2:1-3) and liberation of Israelites from Egypt
(Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Exodus 23:12). The Jews should were directed to their
offerings on that day (Numbers 28:1-10).
31
 The seventh year was observed as the sabbatical year. The land was laid fallow
during that year. The earth is God’s gift to mankind (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus
25:4). The harvest of the sixth year would be abundant enough to provide for the
next three years (Leviticus 25:21). The yield from the left over crops in the seventh
year shall be gleaned by orphan, the poor and the widow (Exodus 23:10-11,
Leviticus 25:6). The slaves should be liberated during the Sabbatical year (Exodus
21:2-6).
Yobel Year (Year of Jubilee) was the year that came after seven Sabbatical years.
This is the year of deliverance. The Jews should sound the trumpets throughout
the land and proclaim liberty to all inhabitants. Every man should be allowed to
return to his possession. The Yobel Year should be observed in the same way as the
Sabbatical Year (Levi. 25:8-55, 27:17-24).
The tenth day of the seventh month was the Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27-28,
25:9). It was to be a day of fasting. It is the only day of the year in which the High
priest enterd the inner sanctuary with incense and blood offering. This day, known
as Yom Kippur (Acts 27:9), was the day of afflicting the souls (Numbers 28:7-11,
Levi. 23:26-32). There were three different cultic rituals observed on that day.
1. A bullock is offered for the sake of the priests.
2. A goat is offered for the sins of people.
3. A scapegoat chosen by casting lots is abandoned in the wilderness to for iniquities
and transgressions of the Jews.

Pause and Reflect

1. What was the reason behind observing Sabbath?
2. How should a sabbatical year be observed?
3. Read Leviticus 25 and discuss the details of Yobel Year?

Non-Canonical Feasts
Purim – Festival of Lots
The word ‘Purim’ means lot. This feast was observed on the 14th of Adar, the
twelfth month of Jewish calendar. This feast was a commemoration of the deliverance
of Jews from their enemy Haman through Queen Esther (Esther 9:24 onwards) (2
Maccabees 15:36). This day is also called ‘Day of Mordeccai.’ This was a festival of
light.

32
Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication
This Feast was begun in commemoration of the defeat of Antiochus IV, the
propagator of Greek culture, by Judas Maccabees, the head of Hasmonean tribes.
Judas and his troops reclaimed and purified the Temple of Jerusalem, which had
been defiled by the sacrifice of the profane animals and started the offerings to
Jehovah once again. It was decided to observe this day of restoration as a Feast (1
Maccabees 4:52-59). This feast begins on the 25th day of Kislav, the ninth month. It
was an eight day long Feast. We read in St. John 10:22 that Jesus Christ went to
Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication.

Let us think
1. Enumerate the details of Jewish Festivals.
2. Which were the canonical Feasts observed by the Jews? Describe each of them.
3. Which were the non-canonical Feasts observed by the Jews? Describe each of
them.
4. Our church also observes certain Feasts, which bear the name of some Jewish
festivals. Which are they? Compare the Jewish festivals with those observed in
the Church.
5. Write an essay on the historical back ground and characteristics of Jewish
festivals.

Activities
1. Read Exodus Chapter 12 and prepare a list of the rituals observed by Jews on
the feast of Passover.
2. Prepare a chart of the various Feasts of Jews.
3. Read Leviticus Chapter 16 and find out the rituals which were to be observed
on the Day of Atonement.
4. Read all the biblical passages referred to in this chapter and learn more about
Jewish festivals.
5. Christians observe certain Feasts, which bear the same name of Jewish Festivals
(Eg. Passover). Enumerate the rituals followed by the Jews and us during these
festivals and prepare a chart.
6. Participate actively in various Feasts observed by the church.
33
 Hymn
(This hymn is recited during the celebration of the Holy Cross on Good Friday)
(Rakshana paricha...)
You have granted me the shield of Salvation
Eden’s Tree of Life planted
In the middle of Paradise
The example of Holy Cross
From which world earned Fruit of Life
The earth and the sky rejoice
On the day of Thy Great Feast
And celebrate this great Day
Come let us all shout... aloud

Our Decision
We have learnt about various festivals observed by the Jews.
We would participate in all Feasts of the church actively
and would earn God’s blessings.

Let us Pray
(This prayer in given in the ‘special prayers’ in the Book of Common Prayer)
O Jesus Christ! kindly protect the Church that observes your Feasts gladly.
Show mercy and efface decay, bondage, quarrel and punishments of rage
from your church. Grant peace and reconciliation to Your church so that it
shall praise you in one accord.

Further Reading
Read and meditate on the biblical passages selected to be read during this week.

34