These are the set times of Yahweh, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time. -  Leviticus 23:4

Holy Feast- Leviticus Chapter 23. In ancient Israel there were 7 annual religious festivals. Especially ordained by The Most High God for us (Israel) to observe.

It was on Mount Sinai that God gave Moses the dates and observances of the seven feasts. Here are their names:

1. Passover (Pesach) - Nisan 14  Leviticus 23:5
2. Unleavened Bread (Chag Hamotzi) - Nisan 15-22 Leviticus 23:6
3. First Fruits (Yom habikkurim) - Nisan 16  “On the morrow after the Sabbath” following Unleavened Bread,Leviticus 23:11
4. Pentecost (Shavu’ot) - Sivan 6 Leviticus 23:16
5. Trumpets (Yom Teru’ah) - Tishri 1 Leviticus 25:8-10, Leviticus 23:24
6. Atonement (Yom Kippur) - Tishri 10 Leviticus 23:27
7. Tabernacles (Sukkot) - Tishri 15  Leviticus 23:34

·        The Feast of Passover – Verses 5-14. It celebrated Israel’s redemption from death and bondage in Egypt. To remind the children of Israel that God “Passed Over” their houses and spared the first born of all Israelites.  Today’s Significance: Yahshua is our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7)

·        The Feast of Unleavened Bread- Verses 6-8. This followed immediately after Passover and is often counted as part of the Passover (which lasted one day) While this feast lasted seven days, The absence of leaven symbolized complete consecration and devotion to The Most High God.     Today’s Significance:  Unleavened Bread is a Form of Yahshua  1 Cor.11:24;John 6:51

·        Feast of the First Fruits- Verses 9-14 This feast marked the beginning of the harvest on the “day after the Sabbath” The purpose of this feast was to dedicate and consecrate the first fruits of the barley harvest. Today’s Significance: Yahshua was the First Fruits of “them that slept” were raised “the morning after Sabbath” Which is the first day of the week (1 Cor. 15:20-23)

·        The Feast of Pentecost- Verses 15-22.  The purpose of this feast was to declare and consecrate the first fruits of the Wheat harvest. Today’s Significance: Note that this feast occurred 50 days (the word Pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning fiftieth) After the feast of First Fruits. After Yahshua’s resurrection he was on earth 40 days (Acts 1:3) before he ascended. The disciples waited in the upper room until the Day of Pentecost was fully come (10 days) and on the anniversary of this feast the Ruach Hakodesh came upon them and the church was born. (Acts 2:1)

·        The Feast Of Trumpets (The Day of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah) –Verses 23-25 This is New Years Day for Israel. It is a special Sabbath in the seventh month. A calling to a Holy gathering. Today’s Significance: In the New Testament  the blowing of the trumpet is associated with the return of Yahshua (Matthew 24:31; 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess. 4:15)

·        The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur/Yom Teru’ah)-Verses 26-32. The greatest day for Israel, because of this day her sins were confessed. This followed immediately after the blessing of the trumpets which was seen in Lev. 16. Today’s Significance: Hebrews 9:11-14 The Day of Atonement finds its ultimate fulfillment in the crucifixion of Yahshua.

·        The Feast of Tabernacles –Verses 33-44 This was the completion of the harvest and was the final religious convocation of the year. It is called “Booths” in King James. It looked back on their Exodus from Egypt –Verses 42-43 and reminded them of their dependence upon the Most High God. Today’s Significance:  This feast foreshadows the peace and prosperity of the millennial reign of Yahshua. (Zech 14:16-20)

Chanukah, by the way, was not given by God on Mount Sinai, but was prophesied in Daniel 8:9-14, and took place in 165 BCE when the Temple was rededicated.