April 23-24, 2016

Scripture references: Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

The Feast of First Fruits is held on the Sunday following the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of the First Fruits are referred to as one feast.

The original Feast of First Fruits was celebrated in Spring to acknowledge the early crops. It was a thanksgiving offering to God. The Israelites brought the first sheaf of the harvest – the first fruits – to His Temple as a wave offering.

Since the Temple is not available today, the Feast of First Fruits is no longer celebrated the same way. Feast of First Fruits is now celebrated by counting of the Sheaves (Omer) to Shavuot (Pentecost), fifty days later.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23, NKJV
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”

Pesach (Passover), April 21-22, 2016

Scripture reference: Exodus 12:1-14

Passover or Pesach celebrates God’s protection over the Israelites during the tenth plague in Egypt – the killing of the firstborn. God ordered the people to take a lamb, slaughter it and sprinkle its blood on the lintel and doorposts of their home. At midnight, when the angel of death saw the blood on the doorposts, he passed over their homes, sparing them from the plague. Finally, Pharaoh let the Israelites leave Egypt.

The Passover has been celebrated for thousands of years on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month of the Jewish calendar, Nisan. Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples on the night of the Last Supper.

Today the Passover is celebrated in Jewish homes with a family ceremony – the Seder (Order).  There is a prescribed order to the meal with prayer, food and drink. Each person is to recount the story of Passover as if he himself had been redeemed. They eat traditional symbolic foods to remind themselves of the suffering of their ancestors in Egypt and of that miraculous deliverance from bondage.

There are six traditional items on the Seder plate. Each item has its own symbolic meaning. Find out more here or watch the video below.

Date in Hebrew calendar: 14^th and 15^th of Adar

Scripture references: Esther 9:20-22

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Book of Esther.  It’s a story of mystery and intrigue as Queen Esther and her uncle, Mordecai, uncover and foil Haman’s plot saving the entire Jewish population.  A two-day holiday was instituted to commemorate this event.  Even though God is not mentioned in this book, His hand can be clearly seen in the many miraculous twists of the story.

Today, Purim is celebrated in Jewish homes and schools as children dress up in costume, put on plays re-enacting the Purim story, and give each other gifts of Haman’s Ears cookies and other treats.  In the synagogue on the evening of Purim and on the following morning, the entire Book of Esther is read.  Everyone is provided with or brings their own noisemaker so that whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, the congregation will drown out his name.  Although Purim is a joyous light-hearted event, it recalls great danger, great deliverance and the great faithfulness of the God toward those who trust in Him.