Why Celebrate the Jewish Holidays?

For most of the last 2,000 years, the Church has not focused much on the biblical Jewish holidays. This historical fact can leave many Gentile followers of Yeshua, wondering, “Why should I celebrate the Jewish holidays?” This question is excellent, and I think it presents an opportunity to grow and learn.

We need to establish that we’re not examining “Jewish” holidays; these are the Lord’s appointed times. They transcend any people group or ethnicity—they are creational. What do I mean by “creational”?  I’m suggesting these holy days originate in the creation of the world more than in the Law of Moses.

Consider these words from the very beginning of the Bible: “Then God said, ‘Let lights in the expanse of the sky be for separating the day from the night. They will be for signs and for seasons and for days and years’” (Gen 1:14/TLV). That word “seasons” is moadim [מוּאדם] in Hebrew and is the plural form of the word meaning appointments or appointed times. I don’t think that verse from Genesis is merely referring to the four seasons, but the Lord’s feasts. Let’s allow Scripture to interpret Scripture here. Notice how the opening lines of Leviticus 23 introduced them: “Then Adonai spoke to Moses saying: ‘Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, and tell them: These are the appointed moadim of Adonai, which you are to proclaim to be holy convocations—My moadim’” (Lev 23:1-2/TLV).

Friends—worship is woven into the fabric of creation! The stars and planetary bodies don’t just signify shifts in the physical world but also the spiritual realm. As members of the created world and children of the Creator, we are invited to align ourselves with the spiritual cycles and rhythms of worship governed by His handiwork. Creation is reminding us that our primary calling is to be worshipers.

I love that moadim speaks of an “appointment.” In the book of Exodus, we read about the “Tent of Meeting” where Moses and the Lord would interact. In Hebrew, that tabernacle is called the Ohel Mo’ed. As you’ve probably discerned, this is the same word from Genesis 1 and Leviticus 23. The Lord’s Feasts are not obligations—they’re invitations! Our Maker and our God invites us to an encounter at these “standing appointments.” It’s not a matter of sin or guilt if you ignore these feasts, but it is a missed opportunity.

Celebrating the Lord’s Feasts aligns us and positions us for the blessing and revelation they bring. These “appointed times” are part of your inheritance as a child of God, Jew and Gentile alike. If you are hungry for personal transformation and a more profound sense of connection with God, show up for your “appointment.” If you want to walk in the steps of Yeshua and His disciples, celebrate these holy days (like they did). The Spirit, the Scripture, and creation have invited you to encounter the living God and experience His transforming power by observing His appointed feasts.

A Brief Highlight of the Holidays from the Bible, Judaism, and the State of Israel:

Selichot – daily prayers of repentance recited in the month leading to Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah – literally, “the head of the year.” The Jewish New Year and also the day of shofar blowing

Yom Kippur – the day of Atonement. This day is also referred to as “the Fast” (Acts 27:9)

Sukkot – an 8-day festival also known as “the Feast of Tabernacles” and “Feast of Ingathering.”

Hoshana Raba – the 7^th day of Sukkot known as “the great day of the feast” (John 7:37)

Shmini Atzeret – a holy day celebrated on the 8^th day of Sukkot

Simchat Torah – a holiday to rejoice in the Torah and restart the annual Torah reading cycle

Fast of Gedaliah – a minor fast day after Rosh Hashanah to lament the assassination of a righteous governor in Bible times.

Ten Days of Repentance (or Awe) – 10 special days of introspection that begin with Rosh Hashanah and ends with Yom Kippur

Shabbat Shuva – literally “Sabbath of repentance” that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Shabbat Chol ha-Moed – the Shabbat that occurs during the week of Passover and Sukkot

Chanukah – the “Feast of Dedication,” also known as “the Festival of Lights,” that commemorates the rededication of the Temple during the time of the Maccabees.

Asarah B’Tevet – Fast of Tevet – a minor fast day lamenting the siege of Jerusalem before the destruction of the 1^st Temple (Solomon’s Temple)
Tu BiShevat  “New Year for Trees” – a day to highlight the vibrancy of the land of Israel

Purim – the “Festival of Lots” commemorating the miraculous story of redemption found in the book of Esther

Shabbat Shekelim – a Shabbat with special readings highlighting the collective responsibilities of the community

Shabbat Zachor – a Shabbat designated to remember the evil deeds of Amalek ahead of the Purim celebration

Fast of Esther – a day to commemorate the fast mentioned in the book of Esther

Shabbat Parah – the Sabbath of the Red Heifer, which falls ahead of the month of Nisan

Shabbat HaChodesh – the Shabbat right before Nisan or on the first day of Nisan

Passover (Pesach) – a commemorative meal eaten to remember the mighty way that God delivered the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.

Shabbat HaGadol – the “Great”  Shabbat that precedes Passover

Yom HaAliyah – a national holiday in Israel to celebrate Jews entering the Land of Israel

Ta’anit Bechorot (Fast of the Firstborn) – a pre-Passover fast for firstborn males

Hag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread) – a 7-day festival commemorating the exodus from Egypt.

Counting of the Omer (49 days) – the 49 day counting period between Passover and Pentecost/Shavuot

Yom Hazikaron – a holiday in Israel to remember fallen soldiers

Yom HaAtzma’ut – Israel’s Independence Day

Yom Hashoah – a day set aside to remember the 6 million Jewish lives that were lost in the Holocaust

Pesach Sheni – the “2^nd Passover” designated in the Bible, one month after Passover, for those unable to observe it

Lag BaOmer – the 33^rd day of the counting of the Omer.

Yom Yerushalayim – a holiday in Israel commemorating the reunification of Jersualem into Jewish hands in 1967

Shavuot – the feast of “Weeks” also known as Pentecost. This is the traditional day to remember the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai

Tzom Tammuz – Three Weeks – three weeks of mourning to recall calamities and exiles in Jewish history

Tisha B’Av – Day of Tragedy – a fast to lament the destruction of both Temples and other calamities in Jewish history

Tu B’Av – Day of Love – holiday in Israel that is comparable to Valentine’s Day