The world we live in today often demands that we schedule our work lives months in advance. That's a headache for those of us who try to obey YHVH Elohiym by resting from work on his annual holy days (Hebrew: mo'ediym). There are three high Sabbaths during the spring each year, and they occur at very specific intervals starting from the biblical new year (Abib/Nisan 1). The problem is that we can't know for certain when the biblical year will begin until it the moment that it does. Nevertheless, a list of the most likely high Sabbath dates is indispensable so long as we live in spiritual Egypt. The reality is that many of us are beholden to employers who require advanced notice of time off.
The following list of dates is only an estimate, due to the fact that Elohiym's calendar is based on the observation of agricultural and lunar conditions. If the barley has not become abib by the time the sliver of the new moon is spotted on or about March 18, then each of the estimated dates must be pushed back until the next sliver is sighted.
This is Not the Jewish Calendar
Although it might seem ridiculous to say that the Jewish calendar is not the biblical calendar, it's absolutely true that the two are not the same. Ancient Judeans had it right—or at least were close—but modern Jews use a pre-calculated calendar that sometimes falls out-of-sync with the biblical Hebrew calendar.
If you're interested to know why, just research the Hillel II calendar. You'll find that the rabbis in the fourth century A.D. invented a new way of reckoning the days.
If you're interested to know why, just research the Hillel II calendar. You'll find that the rabbis in the fourth century A.D. invented a new way of reckoning the days.
The List
NOTE: The following mo'ediym all start the evening before the listed Gregorian day. This is because, biblically speaking, days begin at the fall of darkness, when the sun's light is gone. So if you work evenings or the night shift, you'll need to request off the day before the listed Gregorian day.
| Event | Gregorian day | Biblical day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day* | March 19 | Abib 1 |
| Passover (Pesach)** | April 1 | Abib 14 |
| Unleavened Bread day #1 | April 2 | Abib 15 |
| Unleavened Bread day #7 | April 8 | Abib 21 |
| First Fruits (a.k.a. Resurrection Day) | April 8 | Abib 21 |
| Pentecost (Shavuot) | May 27 | Month 3, 2nd week's 1st day |
* Likely the birthday of Y'shua the Messiah. This is not a Sabbath.
** Pesach is technically a meal, not a day. The Pesach meal begins at dusk on the 14th day of the first month. The lambs are slaughtered earlier that day and prepared during the afternoon. Thus Y'shua was crucified on this day. It is not a Sabbath.
** Pesach is technically a meal, not a day. The Pesach meal begins at dusk on the 14th day of the first month. The lambs are slaughtered earlier that day and prepared during the afternoon. Thus Y'shua was crucified on this day. It is not a Sabbath.
OVERLAPPING OBSERVANCES
You'll notice that two the days on the list have the same date. That doesn't happen most years, but this year is an exception. The reason for this overlap has to do with the instructions for First Fruits. The Day of First Fruits always falls on the first day of the week after Passover (Lev. 23:11). In other words, it's Resurrection Sunday (though, to be precise, it was Saturday evening when the Resurrection occurred, because biblical days start at sundown).
The day of Passover shifts from year to year on the Gregorian calendar, but First Fruits is always on Sunday. In 2018, the timing of Passover and the start of Unleavened Bread just so happens to be on the first day of a week, therefore the end of Unleavened Bread a week later will intersect with First Fruits.
The day of Passover shifts from year to year on the Gregorian calendar, but First Fruits is always on Sunday. In 2018, the timing of Passover and the start of Unleavened Bread just so happens to be on the first day of a week, therefore the end of Unleavened Bread a week later will intersect with First Fruits.
An excellent timeline from from 119 Ministries, showing how Passion Week and Unleavened Bread unfolded during the year of Y'shua's sacrifice.
What If the Real Dates Occur a Month Later?
What do we do if the barley isn't abib by March 18, and the start of the year has to be pushed back by a month? Cut yourself some slack; YHVH isn't going to get angry at you. Intention is what counts.
Elohiym understands the challenges that present us in this ungodly world. Our good heavenly Father only expects us to do the best we can. As long as we have genuinely tried to observe his instructions, we've done our part.
Of course, if you can adjust your schedule and take off the appropriate days once we know for certain that the new year has begun, by all means do so. But if that's impossible for you, no biggie.
Elohiym understands the challenges that present us in this ungodly world. Our good heavenly Father only expects us to do the best we can. As long as we have genuinely tried to observe his instructions, we've done our part.
Of course, if you can adjust your schedule and take off the appropriate days once we know for certain that the new year has begun, by all means do so. But if that's impossible for you, no biggie.
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