Author: Holy Branches

I’m a Gentile Believer, a devoted mother of five wonderful children, and the wife of an amazing husband. Nature, gardening, and dance bring joy and inspiration to my life. In my spare time, I play the piano, care for my garden, or study the Bible in Hebrew. And I’ll drop just about anything for a game of cards. My unwavering quest for a genuine relationship with the God of the Bible has driven me to delve deeply into His Word, which guides my journey and shapes my life's path. This exploration, combined with dedication to living out my faith, is at the heart of my writing. I seek to share my insights and discoveries with readers, encouraging them to embark on their own spiritual journeys.

10 Ideas for a Christian Shavuot

Written by Holy Branches on May 1, 2026. Posted in Shavuot. 2 Comments on 10 Ideas for a Christian Shavuot

This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.

Shavuot is one of the seven Biblical feasts listed in Leviticus 23. While many Christians don’t yet celebrate these important days, they’re so meaningful to our faith because all of them in some way point to Jesus as our Messiah!

Many Christians know Shavuot as Pentecost. The apostles were celebrating Shavuot when the Holy Spirit was given to them. As they praised God for giving His Law, He gave them the Holy Spirit, which enabled the Law to be written on hearts—theirs and ours!

The command to celebrate Shavuot includes bringing offerings to the Temple, which is not currently standing. Because of this, we can’t keep that command as stated in the Bible. But we can keep the tradition in order and focus on the themes of the celebration – God’s provision of both His Law and the Holy Spirit.

Since most of us aren’t yet experts at celebrating Shavuot, it’s helpful to have some ideas of how to observe it. Here are 10 great ways we can celebrate Shavuot as Christians.

1. Pray

As this is a celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit, communicate with the Spirit in prayer. Ask for more of the Spirit’s influence in your life. Make sure to keep your heart open to what He has to teach you and convict you of.

To help you focus your prayers, the Holy Spirit’s roles include guiding, convicting, teaching, being the source of God’s power and wisdom in us, giving spiritual gifts, sealing our salvation, interceding for us, sanctifying us, and giving knowledge.

Shavuot is also known as the Feast of Proclamation so use this time to give praise to God. Proclaim that He’s your God and that you belong to Him. Proclaim His provision, salvation, and His commands given to set us apart.

2. Read the Stories

The themes of Shavuot include the giving of the Law, the giving of the Holy Spirit, and God’s provision, both for our spiritual and physical needs. A Jewish Shavuot tradition is to pull an all-nighter, studying the Bible around the clock! However you choose to study, here are some Bible selections to read to focus your mind and heart on the themes of Shavuot.

The Law: Exodus 19; Psalm 1:2, 19:7-11, 29:18, 112:1-6, 119, 128; Proverbs 4:2, 6:20-23; Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 3:31; James 1:25
Slavery in and rescue from Egypt: Exodus 3-15 (Summary here)
Slavery to sin: John 8:31-35, Romans 6, 8:1-25; Titus 3:1-10
Holy Spirit: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Joel 2:28-29; John 14:16-31; Acts 2; Romans 8:26-27
Shavuot: Exodus 24:22; Leviticus 23:15-22; Acts 2:1

3. Rest

Since the command for Shavuot says that it should be a Sabbath, make rest a priority. This Sabbath differs from others in that food preparation is just fine, but it’s otherwise a time of rest. Be deliberate about choosing activities that promote togetherness and focus on God. Find some ideas in my post, “What DO we do on the Sabbath?”. Don’t let Shavuot go by without intentionally stopping and focusing on the God that provides!

4. Teach the Children

It’s so important Biblically that we pass our faith on to the next generation! If you don’t have children of your own, consider teaching your grandchildren or those at your church or synagogue about Shavuot and the amazing truths of God that it highlights. Here are some resources for children on the subject of Shavuot.

I use the Bible Pathway Adventures Activity Books for my own children and recommend them highly! This one covers the Feast of Shavuot and the other Spring Feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. It also includes lessons on Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection!

Kid-Friendly Crafts for Shavuot at PJ Library

PJ Library has provided our family with so many helpful resources for teaching our children about Biblical and Jewish holidays and traditions. This page has both crafts and recipes for kids that are relevant to the themes surrounding Shavuot.

5. Provide for the Less Fortunate

Within the command for Shavuot, God specifies that, when harvesting their fields, the Israelites were to leave the corners of the fields and not pick up the harvested grain that fell to the ground during the harvesting process. This was a provision for the poor, the widowed and otherwise, who were without the ability to produce their own food.

Today, provision for the poor looks very different, but we can still demonstrate this care for those who have similar needs in our culture and communities. Your church may have a food pantry that offers supplies to the needy in your community. Even small cities have food banks that are always grateful for donations. Crisis pregnancy centers provide necessities to mothers without the means to get what they need for their little ones. With so many ways to help available, it’s simple for us to reach out and see where we can help those less fortunate.

6. Celebrate Milk and Honey

One Shavuot tradition is to prepare dishes that are sweet and dairy-based. This is to remember God’s provision as milk and honey often symbolize in the Bible. God promised that He would bring the Hebrew people into the “land of milk and honey,” which meant the Promised Land. Of course, He kept His promise as He always does, and they did (eventually) get there!

He provided for them in their land, on the way, and He still provides for all of His people’s needs and will continue! Here are some recipes for dishes to serve during Shavuot to remind you and your family of God’s perfect provision.

Mini Cheesecakes

This recipe is so versatile! You can top it with any fruit you like, ice cream, or chocolate shavings. The crust can be vanilla wafers, as called for in the recipe, or you can use an Oreo or Graham Cracker crust.

Marinated Feta

I love feta! This recipe would be a wonderful salad topping, could be included on a charcuterie platter, or served as an appetizer.

Deluxe Noodle Kugel

Kugel is a traditional Jewish recipe commonly served at Rosh Hashanah. This delicious kugel recipe is very similar to cheesecake, making it a fitting dish for Shavuot as well. My family likes this recipe, but it’s also the one I used when I won the kugel contest at our synagogue! Since this was only the second kugel I’d made in my life, winning surprised me more than anyone else there!

And if you’re brave enough to include some little ones in your Shavuot cooking, here are 7 Simple Shavuot Recipes Kids Can Make from PJ Library.

7. Serve Two Challah Loaves

While many serve two loaves of Challah bread on Shabbat (the Sabbath) weekly to celebrate God’s provision, Shavuot is another opportunity to celebrate it as well. Serving two loaves shows that God has given us plenty but also reminds us of the two loaves required as an offering in the Shavuot command in Leviticus 23.

Here is the Challah Bread recipe I use. It will make two medium-sized loaves or three small ones.

8. Have a Holy Convocation

Another part of the command in Leviticus, a holy convocation, is a get-together, not just for fellowship but to focus on God. During Shavuot, we focus on His blessings, His Laws, and His Spirit. This would be a great time to find a Messianic synagogue near you and visit if you don’t already have one. The UMJC and MCC both have directories if you need help finding one in your area. You could also have a Shavuot get-together with people from your church or Bible study. The focus here should be on worshipping and studying as a community of believers.

9. Get Baptized

If you’ve considered being baptized as an outward expression of your faith, and haven’t yet, Shavuot is a great time to do it! The significance of celebrating the indwelling of the Holy Spirit on the day of your baptism would be very special!

10. Make a Pilgrimage

Shavuot is one of three “pilgrimage festivals” in the Bible. The command for this says that all males should present themselves before the God of Israel and offer a sacrifice three times a year, on Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Due to the Temple’s absence, we don’t offer sacrifices there on these days but any one of them would be a great time to plan a trip to the city of Jerusalem!

The things we celebrate at Shavuot – God’s provision, His Laws, and the Holy Spirit are so central to our faith as Christians! Check out my calendar for the dates of Shavuot for this year and make some plans to observe it, even if you never have. I bet you’ll find it deeply spiritual and be blessed by setting this time aside to focus on what God has given.

If Shavuot and its significance to our faith is a new concept for you, here’s some further reading on the subject. Written by David Brickner from Jews for Jesus, Christ in the Feast of Pentecost will give you a greater understanding of Shavuot and the countdown to it, as well as how they relate to our Savior.

Recipes for Shavuot

Written by Holy Branches on May 1, 2026. Posted in Shavuot. 3 Comments on Recipes for Shavuot

Shavuot is the celebration of God’s provision – His Law, His Spirit, and His son as our Savior. Since milk and honey represent provision and plenty in the Bible, food served at Shavuot is often dairy-based and sweet. Here are some recipes for your Shavuot celebration.

Cheese Blintzes

Try these for a delicious gourmet Shavuot breakfast. A rich cheese filling in a thin egg wrap, and a fruity topping make this the perfect addition to your celebration!

Cream Cheese Danish

I’ll just be honest here and say that this danish requires a lot of self control from me. I could eat the whole thing! It tastes great but is relatively simple to make.

Deluxe Noodle Kugel

A unique Jewish tradition, kugel can be made many different ways. This recipe is very much like cheesecake, making it fitting for your Shavuot table. This is the kugel my family likes best and it’s wonderful for Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah as well!

Caprese Appetizer

Here’s a simple appetizer that’s both satisfying and attractive. Dress it up with fun appetizer toothpicks to make them more festive and serve on a pretty platter.

Baklava

This rich and filling Middle Eastern dessert is just heavenly! The heartiness of the nuts balances the sweetness of the honey, all encrusted in buttery, flaky phyllo dough.

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Serve them tea style, on a tiered or decorative platter and remove the crusts for a delicate touch. You can make it spicy if you’d like but it’s also just wonderful without the heat.

Marinated Feta

I can think of many ways this recipe can be served during Shavuot. It would make a great salad topping, as well as a tasty addition to a tossed salad or to accompany fruits, nuts, and meats on a charcuterie platter.

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

This is the only way my family eats mashed potatoes. I have some potato haters but they (and the rest of us) like this rich and creamy recipe. It’s great with or without gravy!

Mini Cheesecake

You can make changes to this recipe to tailor it to your liking. Change the fruit on top, garnish with chocolate shavings, or serve with ice cream! The crust could be changed to an Oreo or Graham Cracker crust if that’s what you prefer.

Cheesecake Brownies

This is a favorite of the chocolate lovers in my family. It’s a unique take on brownies and fitting for a Shavuot dessert.

Ice Cream in a Bag

Here’s one for the kids, but the adults will also have fun with it!

Challah Bread

While this recipe isn’t dairy or sweet, challah bread is often served during Shavuot. Two loaves are served to celebrate God’s lavish provision. This recipe will make two medium-sized loaves.

If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate Shavuot, read my post, 10 Ideas for a Christian Shavuot.

Shavuot: A Gift for God’s Covenant People

Written by Holy Branches on May 1, 2026. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Shavuot, Traditions. 1 Comment on Shavuot: A Gift for God’s Covenant People

One of the seven God-ordained Feasts in Leviticus 23, Shavuot, is also called the Feast of Weeks. It’s a harvest festival, specifically the wheat harvest, a type of Biblical Thanksgiving. It celebrates God’s provision for our physical and spiritual needs. Jews mainly observe Shavuot, but Pentecost, Shavuot’s English name derived from the Greek, is celebrated in the Catholic and some Protestant churches today.

Feasts of the Bible 6-Session DVD Based Study Complete Kit: Passover, Pesach, Pentecost, Shavuot, Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, Tabernacles, Sukkot (DVD Small Group)

Why Shavuot?

The most apparent reason for celebrating Shavuot is that God commanded it. However, we can’t keep it exactly as it was commanded since there’s no Temple. It’s one of seven Feasts God told the Israelites to keep in Leviticus and one of the three in Deuteronomy (Deut. 16:16). It was to be observed 50 days (seven Sabbaths and one day) after the Day of First Fruits during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD” Lev. 23:15-16 (NASB)

When the Egyptians enslaved the Hebrew people, God brought ten plagues upon their captors. The last of these was the plague of the firstborn, in which the firstborn in each household died, except that of the Israelites. Out of obedience to God’s instructions, they painted the blood of a lamb on their doorposts and were then passed over by the final plague. The death of the firstborn finally caused the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. After they left Egypt, they crossed the Red Sea and headed out into the desert.

It was 50 days after the Passover in Egypt when the Hebrew people were camped at the foot of Mount Sinai, that God gave the Hebrew people the gift of the Torah. Having been freed from slavery, they were free to serve God, and He chose this time to finalize His covenant with them by giving them His Law.

Likewise, 50 days after Passover, Shavuot is to be celebrated. The Day of First Fruits, or Yom HaBikkurim, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is when the counting of the omer began. On this day, the priest would wave a sheaf of green barley, an omer, to start the count. A male lamb would also be sacrificed, and God’s people would count up to Shavuot. Today, some Believers celebrate not only the First Fruits but the next 49 days also as days of spiritual introspection. Since these days lead up to the day God’s Law (the Torah) was given on Shavuot, these days are preparation to receive the word of God.

“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jere. 31:33 (NASB)

Jeremiah prophesied that God would make a new covenant with His people, in which the Law would be on their hearts.

Jesus also prophesied the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1.

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 (NASB)

In the New Testament, the apostles of the early church observe Shavuot, which is then called Pentecost, which is derived from the Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” While gathered for Shavuot, in celebration of God giving His law to them, God chose this time to give the gift of His Spirit to His people.

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance” Acts 2:1-4(NASB)

None of this is a coincidence. The apostles knew what and why they were celebrating on Shavuot, and the timing of God giving His Spirit wasn’t lost on them. Having been newly freed from the slavery of their sin, it had come time for God to finalize the New Covenant with His people. Jesus had been crucified 50 days before to atone for our sins, ushering in a way for sinful, imperfect people to commune with a Holy God. God then solidified this New Covenant by giving us His Spirit and writing His Word on our hearts, just as He promised 1,200 years prior!

So, while Jews have gathered for Shavuot from the time of Moses to the early church in Acts and still celebrate it even today, it has meaning for Gentile Believers also. As the grafted-in or adopted people of God, the promise of the New Covenant is for us and the people of Israel. When we recognize Jesus as Messiah, we enter a Covenant with God and have not only His Torah but also His Law written on our hearts through His gift of the Holy Spirit.

Sounds like a reason to celebrate, right!?

If you’d like to explore Shavuot and Pentecost more deeply, I recommend Christ in the Feast of Pentecost by the Senior Researcher and Executive Director of Jews for Jesus. It’s a quick read but very informative.

What Does Jesus Say About Old Testament Law?

Written by Holy Branches on April 28, 2026. Posted in Bible Study. No Comments on What Does Jesus Say About Old Testament Law?

Many Christians are taught that Jesus came to move God’s people away from the Law. Yet when we read the Gospels carefully, an unexpected pattern emerges: Jesus repeatedly affirms God’s commandments, assumes their ongoing validity, and calls His followers to obedience rooted in love.

This article gathers Jesus’ own words, across all four Gospels, where He speaks in support of God’s Law, righteousness, and commandments, not as a means of earning salvation, but as the faithful expression of life in God’s kingdom.

Obedience and Eternal Life

(Matthew 19:16–17)

A man approaches Jesus with the most important question anyone can ask:

“Teacher, what good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life?”

Jesus’ response is direct and striking:

“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
– Matthew 19:17

Jesus does not dismiss the question, nor does He say the commandments no longer matter. Instead, He affirms them as relevant to life with God. He then proceeds to quote specific commandments from the Torah, treating them as authoritative.

“I Did Not Come to Abolish the Law”

(Matthew 5:17–20)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the Law explicitly:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
– Matthew 5:17

He immediately adds:

“Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law.”

Rather than minimizing obedience, Jesus warns against relaxing even the least commandment and ties faithfulness to status within the kingdom:

“Whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19)

Jesus then deepens the Law, moving from outward actions to heart-level obedience, demonstrating that fulfillment means living it fully, not setting it aside.

Righteousness as Kingdom Living

(Matthew 5:6, 10, 20)

Jesus repeatedly blesses righteousness:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
– Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.”
– Matthew 5:10

He even warns that entry into the kingdom requires a righteousness that surpasses mere external observance (Matt. 5:20) – not less obedience, but truer obedience.

In Scripture, righteousness is inseparable from living according to God’s instruction.

Lawlessness and Final Judgment

(Matthew 7:21–23)

Jesus offers one of His most sobering warnings:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father.”

He concludes:

“Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
– Matthew 7:23

Notably, those rejected are religiously active and verbally devoted. Their failure is not belief, but lawlessness – living without regard for God’s will.

Biblical Herodian Clay Oil Lamp with Bethlehem Olive Oil – Authentic Holy Land Replica

Love for God Defined by Obedience

(John 14–15)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly defines love in covenantal terms:

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
– John 14:15

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.”
– John 14:21

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments.”
– John 15:10

Jesus presents obedience not as legalism, but as the natural expression of love—modeled after His own obedience to the Father.

The Greatest Commandments Come from the Torah

(Matthew 22:37–40)

When asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus quotes directly from the Law:

“You shall love the Lord your God…”
– Deuteronomy 6:4–5

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Leviticus 19:18

Jesus then concludes:

“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
– Matthew 22:40

Love is not presented as a replacement for the Law, but as its summary and foundation. “Love God and love people” are not commands given to replace the Law but as a summary of God’s Laws, fully dependent on and not functioning outside of the Laws as they were originally given.

Mercy, Justice, and the Weightier Matters of the Law

(Matthew 23:23)

When rebuking the Pharisees, Jesus does not criticize obedience itself, but imbalance:

“You have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
– Matthew 23:23

This is one of Jesus’ clearest affirmations of the Law. He explicitly says the commandments should be practiced – rightly, not hypocritically.

Jesus Lived in Obedience to the Law

Jesus consistently presents Himself as obedient to the Father:

“I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
– John 8:29

“I have kept My Father’s commandments.”
– John 15:10

He celebrates the Passover (Mark 14:12), attends synagogue regularly (Luke 4:16), and teaches from the Law as authoritative Scripture.

Matthew Presents Yeshua King Messiah: A Messianic Commentary

A Final Reflection

Jesus never speaks of God’s Law as obsolete, burdensome, or irrelevant. Instead, He:

affirms it
teaches it
deepens it
lives it

He warns against lawlessness, praises righteousness, and defines love in terms of obedience.

This does not contradict salvation by grace. It clarifies what grace produces.

As Jesus Himself says:

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
— Luke 6:46

Grace does not lead away from obedience—it leads us into faithful, transformed obedience, empowered by the Spirit and rooted in love for God.

For more about Christians and the Law, read Does Old testament Law Apply to Christians? and Paul’s Affirmation of the Old Testament Law: Insights from His Letters

Welcoming the Sabbath: A Messianic Family Guide for Erev Shabbat

Written by Holy Branches on April 6, 2026. Posted in Traditions. No Comments on Welcoming the Sabbath: A Messianic Family Guide for Erev Shabbat

There’s a rhythm woven into Scripture that many of us have overlooked for years. It’s a rhythm of work and rest, of preparation and peace, of setting aside time that belongs wholly to God. That rhythm includes the Sabbath.

For a long time, I knew the Sabbath was in the Bible. I knew it was one of the Ten Commandments. But I didn’t really know what it looked like to live it out in my home, especially with a busy family, young children, and a full schedule. It felt beautiful in theory, but overwhelming in practice.

That’s exactly why I created Welcoming the Sabbath: A Messianic Family Guide for Erev Shabbat.

This little book was born out of real life. Not perfection, but a desire to honor God in a way that is both Biblical and doable for families.

What This Book Is (and Isn’t)

This isn’t a formal or complicated prayer book.

It’s a simple, structured guide to help you bring in Shabbat around your own table, with warmth, meaning, and participation for the whole family.

Inside, you’ll find:

Candle lighting and blessings
Blessings over your children
The Aaronic Blessing
Eshet Chayil (a beautiful blessing over women)
Vayechulu and V’shamru
Kiddush (blessing over the wine)
HaMotzi (blessing over the bread)
Words of Yeshua about the Sabbath
Hebrew, English, and transliteration throughout
A reader format so everyone can participate

It’s designed to be used, not performed.

Why Shabbat Matters

The Sabbath isn’t just about stopping work.

It’s about remembering.

Remembering who God is.
Remembering who we are to Him.
Remembering that we are not sustained by striving, but by His faithfulness.

Scripture tells us both to remember the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8) and to keep it (Deuteronomy 5:12). These two ideas, zachor and shamor, capture something beautiful. We don’t just think about the Sabbath. We step into it.

We prepare ahead of time. We slow down. We make space for what matters most. And in doing so, we begin to experience the Sabbath not as a restriction, but as a gift.

A Messianic Perspective

This guide is rooted in Scripture and centered on Yeshua.

When Yeshua said, “The Sabbath was made for man,” He reminded us that this day was created for our good, for rest, for healing, and for joy.

Shabbat also points forward. Each week becomes a small rehearsal of the greater rest to come, the restoration God is bringing through Messiah.

For Families (Even Busy Ones)

If you’ve ever thought:

“I don’t know where to start.”
“This feels like too much.”
“My family won’t sit through something long and formal.”

This book is for you.

Some weeks will be peaceful and quiet.
Some will be loud and imperfect.
Both are welcome.

Shabbat isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about showing up.

A Weekly Invitation

There is something powerful about lighting candles as the sun sets and saying, “This time is different.”

The world keeps rushing but your home doesn’t have to.

My prayer is that this guide helps you create a space each week where your family can rest, reconnect, and remember, together.

Shabbat Shalom.

Where Messianic Faith Meets Real Impact: The Jerome Fleischer Day School in Zambia

Written by Holy Branches on April 6, 2026. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Where Messianic Faith Meets Real Impact: The Jerome Fleischer Day School in Zambia

Give Where Your Faith and Your Giving Align

Looking for a place to give that truly aligns with your faith?

There are many ministries doing meaningful work around the world, but every so often, you come across one that stands out not only in what they do, but in what they believe.

Learn more about the Jerome Fleischer Day School here.

Messianic Jewish Africa Support is serving communities in Zambia with a mission that is both deeply Biblical and firmly rooted in faith. What makes this ministry unique is its commitment to a Messianic Jewish expression of faith, proclaiming Yeshua while honoring the foundation of Scripture in its fullness.

For those who care about walking out a faith that reflects the whole counsel of God’s Word, this matters.

MJAS is not only sharing truth—they’re living it out in tangible, life-changing ways.

Through their work, they:

Care for orphans and vulnerable children
Support widows and families in need
Establish and disciple Messianic congregations
Provide medical care, education, and outreach to remote communities

Learn more about the Jerome Fleischer Day School and the Messianic Jewish Africa Support here.

At the heart of this ministry is their day school in Lusaka, where hundreds of children—many of them orphaned or at risk—are being equipped for a different future.

These students receive:

A quality education
Daily meals
Spiritual discipleship
A safe and stable environment

But more than that, they are being raised up to stand on their own! They become leaders, contributors, and people of faith within their own communities.

This is not about creating dependency. It is about cultivating independence, responsibility, and purpose.

And right now, there is a simple, powerful way to be part of that work.

The greatest need is for student sponsorships.

For just $45 per month, you can directly impact a child’s life, providing the education, nourishment, and spiritual foundation they need to move forward with strength and hope.

Don’t just give—give where your beliefs are lived out.

I personally know Rabbi Alex and his wife, Fay, who passionately lead this ministry, and I can confidently say they are faithful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to the calling God has placed on their lives. I also personally know the MJAS board members, committed servants of Yeshua, working hard to put God’s word into action and serve the orphans and bring hope to their lives – both practically and spiritually!

If you’ve been looking for a place to give where your beliefs and your giving truly walk together—this is an opportunity to step into something meaningful.

Consider becoming a sponsor today and help raise up the next generation to stand strong in faith and walk in purpose.

Learn more about the Jerome Fleischer Day School here.

Why Count the Omer?

Written by Holy Branches on April 6, 2026. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Shavuot, Traditions. 5 Comments on Why Count the Omer?

Sometime between Passover and Shavuot, many people “count the omer.” While that may sound complicated, it merely means counting each of the 50 days until Shavuot.

But why count? Can’t we just look at our calendars to see when Shavuot is? What should we be doing while we’re counting the days? Most importantly, what’s the significance of this command? Exactly what is God teaching us through the process of counting? To answer these questions, let’s first look at the omer count and where it came from.

What’s an Omer?

Literally speaking, an omer is a sheaf or bundle of grain. In this case, the grains referred to are barley and wheat. It’s also a unit of measure: 1/10 of an ephah equals about 2-1/2 quarts. In Exodus, an omer is the amount of manna God provided each Israelite each day in the desert.

The Command

In Leviticus 23, God lays out the way of life He desires for His newly freed people. After He covers the instructions for the Tabernacle and the priests, God tells the people what to celebrate, when, and how.

He gives instructions on observing the Sabbath and the seven Feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. We find the command to count between the instructions for First Fruits and Shavuot.

You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD.

Lev. 23:16

The command to count the omer follows the command for the Festival of First Fruits. After Passover and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the countdown to Shavuot begins on the day of First Fruits. It may seem random that God would connect these Feasts, but it’s not because they’re directly connected. Here’s a small summary of these spring Festivals in the order they occur on the calendar and are listed in Leviticus 23.

Passover

In the celebration of Passover, the Hebrew people were to remember God rescuing them from their captivity in Egypt, as well as the provision of the Passover lamb whose blood covered them, protecting them from the plague of the firstborn brought upon Egypt.

At Passover, celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Nissan, we remember what God has done for us, both in supernaturally rescuing the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt and from our sin through Jesus. The blood of the Passover lamb caused God to overlook those covered by it in the plague of the firstborn. In somewhat the same way, the blood of Jesus, our Passover lamb, covers our sin and allows our unholy selves to have access to God.

Counting the Omer: A 50-Day Devotional on Psalm 119

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

Not literally a “feast,” this is a time of living without the leaven (yeast) that we normally do—both in our homes and our diets. God told His people to go without leaven for seven days, starting the day just after Passover.

Leaven is often used to symbolize sin in the Bible, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread effectively portrays sin in our lives. It’s not only everywhere in our diets and homes; it’s difficult to get completely cleaned out and uncomfortable to live without, just like sin. There are little “crumbs” of sin all over our lives—some we don’t want to get rid of for various reasons, and some we aren’t even aware of!

But this points us right to Jesus! He covers the sins we can’t and gives grace for even the whole “loaves” of sin we must throw in the trash. We have him to thank for allowing us to sleep at night even though there are sins we may not even be aware of in our lives.

The Festival of First Fruits

To summarize the command for First Fruits, God tells the Hebrew people not to eat any new barley that ripens first until they have given their offering. They’re to take a sheaf (omer) of it to the priest at the Tabernacle, along with a defect-free male lamb and wine as offerings. Having no Tabernacle or Temple today, we cannot obey this command.

However, it’s traditionally thought that the day of First Fruits is the day that Jesus rose from the dead, and that’s really something to celebrate! It’s also a day on which we can remember the First Fruits offering and focus on always giving our first and best to God.

The Festival of Shavuot

God told the Hebrew people to bring bread baked with the flour of the wheat harvest, including twice as much as the First Fruits offering, two omers. If First Fruits is to bring the very first part of the harvest as an offering out of faith that more will be provided, Shavuot is to bring another offering, this time out of the abundance of the later harvest, 50 days later.

For thousands of years, God’s people have celebrated Shavuot, when God gave His Law to the Hebrew people on Mt. Sinai. As newly freed people, they were privileged to be given a way of life that pleased their God and set them apart from the surrounding people as His chosen. In Acts, Shavuot was what the apostles were celebrating when the Holy Spirit was given to them.

During Shavuot, we remember God’s provision, not looking forward to it in faith as we did on First Fruits, but showing our gratefulness for what’s been given.

The Connection

The Spring Feast Days tell the story of our redemption. Passover reminds us of the Lamb’s blood that covers and saves us. Unleavened Bread symbolizes why we need our Savior, and First Fruits is when we look forward to God’s provision! Shavuot then celebrates God providing His rescued people with the way to live through His Laws on our hearts and through His Spirit.

Since counting the omer is from First Fruits to Shavuot, it’s helpful to see the connection between them. At First Fruits, we look forward in faith, and at Shavuot, we celebrate God’s faithfulness and provision.

Zoe Discovers the Feast of Weeks at Pentecost: Shavuot for Kids Book: Understanding Pentecost for Kids (Understanding Jewish Holidays for Christian Children)

50 Days

During the 50-day counting period, we focus on maturing in righteousness—not to obtain salvation but to live as people belonging to people and worthy of being indwelt by His Spirit. It should be a time of cleansing our hearts to prepare them for the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us as people of God.

The number 50 in the Bible represents liberation. Each 50th year was to be the year of Jubilee, where slaves were set free, and the land was returned to its original owner. The word “Pentecost” means 50 and is the name of the Christian holiday celebrating God’s giving of the Holy Spirit.

A Time for Growth

If we focus on the Holy Days, the Hebrew people went from being slaves to Mount Sinai, where God made His covenant with them. In the same way, Jesus was crucified during Passover, raised on First Fruits, and then 50 days passed until the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles. On that Shavuot, a New Covenant was made, as God has now written His Laws on the hearts of His people.

Our Spiritual growth is the same. In the “Passover” season of our lives, we accept Jesus as our Passover Lamb. The Unleavened Bread portion of our faith is where we genuinely repent and continually try to align our lives with God’s desires. Out of our growing faith, we then celebrate that Jesus has risen and his victory over death. As our faith matures, we Christians move toward a place where the Holy Spirit can live inside us, enabling us to follow His Laws and do His work on Earth.

At the beginning of the Counting of the Omer, we’ve just experienced the celebration of Passover. We remembered what God did for the Hebrew people and us. We also observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread, where we took inventory of our lives, repented, and worked diligently to ensure there wasn’t a mess of sin left that God wouldn’t want there.

Then we arrive at the Feast of First Fruits, where we remember that we give God the best of what we have out of faith. We step forward by putting our faith in God to provide for us in the future. On Shavuot, He will provide His Law and write it on our hearts through His Spirit.

Ready for the Spirit

During the time between First Fruits and Shavuot, we grow in our faith so that we’re ready to have God’s Spirit inhabit us. As Christians, His Spirit already lives in our hearts, so this time of counting allows us to refocus on our faith and ensure that we’re growing in maturity as we should throughout our walk. Starting at Passover, we focus on moving from slaves to free people dedicated to God and in His service.

The Counting of the Omer reminds us daily that God not only deserves our best and is worthy of our faith in Him but that He provides for us at the count’s completion and always! While we count, we examine our hearts and our faith to see if they’re worthy of the Holy Spirit we’ve been given. Spoiler alert: They’re not. But as Jesus covers the sin remaining in our hearts, we do our best to make sure there’s less and less as we grow and continually align our hearts to what God wants in our lives.

Since God has a purpose for all He does, when He told the Hebrew people to simply count, He knew they needed to do that for some reason. It’s the same thing with us. Counting focuses us on the symbolism and lessons of the surrounding Feast Days. It reminds us that God is faithful. He’s provided all we need in the past and will in the future. Counting the Omer is a time of strengthening our faith.

What to Do During the Count

However, humans are doers, so being given an activity like counting over 50 days seems ambiguous. I know that it’s a time to examine my faith and growth in righteousness, but I can’t help but wonder what we DO during this time. In Orthodox Judaism, a blessing is said each evening of the count, as well as the number of the day and the week. Some also focus on different attributes of God throughout the count.

A Year Through the Torah – A Week-By-Week Journey For Christians and Messianic Believers 320 pg. Book & 80 min. CD

Here are a few things that will get your heart and mind in the right place for this time of counting and prepare you for the celebration of Shavuot.

Count, Of Course!

One way to take this command literally is to cross off each day on a calendar or omer counter made just for this purpose. I’ve used this one from torahcalendar.com, but there are many available! Here are some, and there’s even a LEGO Omer Counter that they’ll love!

2. Communicate with God

Wait. That doesn’t sound out of the ordinary at all! It shouldn’t be, but you and I both know that most of us allow things to creep into our daily schedules that threaten our time with God, which should be a priority. Prayer and studying God’s Word often go by the wayside when other things are put first.

During this time of counting, make it a high priority to be in constant conversation with God. Be humble and honest so you can hear what He says – even those things you’d rather not! During times of self-examination, I find it helpful to pray the following verse.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalm 139:23-24

Share the Count

During the Counting of the Omer, the Jewish people say a blessing each evening of the count, along with stating the day and week number. This blessing clarifies that each day has been counted and that God is getting the glory.

However you observe the omer count, don’t keep it to yourself! Include your family and your children and encourage them to grow in their faith during this time. And, as with everything you do, make sure God gets all the glory!

Prepare for Shavuot

Part of the reason for the count is to look forward to the giving of God’s Law on Sinai and the Holy Spirit to the apostles. This makes preparing for Shavuot a very appropriate activity during the count. Make a plan of how you and your family will celebrate Shavuot and what supplies you’ll need. Read the stories of the giving of the Law and the Holy Spirit in Exodus 19 and Acts 1, respectively.

Thank God for His perfect Laws and for the Spirit that allows those Laws to be written on our hearts. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you specifically which of His Laws you need to work on. Soften your heart so you can hear His answer.

The Counting of the Omer is an important time for Believers to grow in their faith and cleanse themselves spiritually. It’s a time for us to respond to the faithfulness and provision God has lavished upon all of us.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread vs. Passover: What’s the Difference?

Written by Holy Branches on March 31, 2026. Posted in Passover, Traditions. 66 Comments on The Feast of Unleavened Bread vs. Passover: What’s the Difference?

Are Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread the same thing? Although many think they are, they’re described as two separate Feasts in the Bible. The Feast of Unleavened Bread follows right after Passover, though the two events overlap, as I’ll explain below.

Both Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are meaningful celebrations for Christians as we explore our roots and grow in our faith. Our Savior and what he’s done for us can be clearly symbolized through both of these Feasts, and if they’re not yet traditions in your home, I highly recommend you consider adopting them! They give such vivid pictures of who Jesus is and why we need him!

Passover

While often referred to as such, Passover isn’t a week or even a day, but a meal held on the 14th day of the month of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. This corresponds to a date in March or April on our Gregorian calendar.

Although the original command can’t be kept since it includes the sacrifice of the Passover lamb at the Temple, an annual celebration allows us to remember what God did for His people in Egypt.

The meal for Passover, called a Seder, isn’t merely to nourish those who partake, but to serve as a memorial to what God did for His people in the Exodus from Egypt. It’s to be eaten on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, at twilight. It’s important to note here that days on the Hebrew calendar start at twilight the night before.

Rite Lite Marble Seder Plate Design Ceramic Passover Pesach Seder Dish

The Passover lamb in Egypt foreshadows Jesus, our Passover Lamb, and this is clearly shown during the Seder. Just as the blood of the Passover Lamb rescued the Hebrew people from slavery, it’s the blood of Jesus that saves us from the slavery of our sin as well.

Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is to start on the 15th day of Nisan, the same month as Passover, at twilight. This is a 7-day feast, and the first and last days are to be Sabbaths. These Sabbaths differ from the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) and may occur on any day of the week. Which day of the week they’re on changes from year to year, but no matter what day they occur on, the same rules apply as for the weekly Sabbath – rest and keeping the day holy.

The command for this feast says to eat unleavened bread for seven days and to remove all leaven from your homes before the feast begins (this is the period where the Feast of Unleavened Bread overlaps Passover). In our home, we get rid of anything leavened as well as any leavening agents. For the rest of the 7-day period, all meals and snacks don’t contain any leavening agents or leavened products.

Christ in the Passover: Celebrate a Christian Seder

The Feast of Unleavened Bread gives those who participate in it such a great picture of the sin in our lives! The Bible often uses “yeast” or “leaven” to signify sin. In the process of cleaning it out of our homes, we realize very quickly how difficult it is to find and remove it all. There are crumbs in the corners of our pantries and even under our refrigerators. In a house like mine, with seven people, is it even possible to get it all?

But this is the part of this feast that points us right to Jesus. When we see how difficult it is to get all the leaven out of our homes, we realize just how difficult it is to get the sin out of our lives. It’s easy to find the obvious loaves of bread in the pantry but you have to really hunt for the Cheerios between the couch cushions (those of you who have toddlers understand. The rest of you stay with me on this). In the same way, it’s easier to get the big, obvious sins out of our lives, but more difficult to get the hidden, seemingly small ones out before they fester.

Even though we can’t get all of the sin out of our lives, we have Jesus to cover them all. Though we should still strive to live in a way that pleases God, if we believe in Jesus as our Savior, he even forgives the sins we’d rather leave in the dark places under the fridge. Even if the “home” of our life is sparkling clean, chances are that there’s some leaven hiding somewhere.

Sherrie’s Favorite Unleavened Recipes: For Passover and The Days of Unleavened Bread

This is why we need Jesus! He’s the only one capable of perfectly cleaning the “homes” of our lives, which allows us to have a relationship with a holy God. What a wonderful picture!

Just like all of the Seven Biblical Feast Days, Passover and Unleavened Bread both point to our Savior in different but clear ways. My family’s faith has grown so much since we included these important days or “Appointed Times” in the Bible. If they aren’t yet traditions in your home, I encourage you to include them, and I’m sure you’ll be glad you did!

From Egypt to Messiah: A Messianic Passover Haggadah for Families

Written by Holy Branches on March 31, 2026. Posted in Uncategorized. 2 Comments on From Egypt to Messiah: A Messianic Passover Haggadah for Families

For years, I pieced together our family Passover Seder… so I finally wrote the Haggadah I wish I had all along – Scripture-based, family-friendly, and centered on Jesus, our Passover Lamb.

Why I Wrote a Messianic Family Haggadah

For years, Passover has been one of the most meaningful celebrations in our home.

Not because it’s elaborate or perfectly done, but because it gives us a way to slow down and tell the story of what God has done, together, as a family.

We gather around the table, read Scripture, ask questions, dip parsley, and remember. And every year, I’m reminded how intentional God was when He told His people to celebrate Passover, not just to remember, but to teach their children. As the mother of five kids, this really resonates with me.

Over time, I found myself piecing things together, pulling from different resources, rewriting parts so my kids could understand, and trying to balance honoring the traditional elements while clearly pointing to Jesus as our Passover Lamb.

A Seder Designed for Real Families

This Haggadah was written with real families in mind: kids at the table, questions constant, and things not always going as planned.

It’s designed for participation, not observation. With a leader, multiple readers, and shared responses, everyone at the table is part of telling the story.

This Haggadah is:

Rooted in Scripture
Faithful to the Passover story
Clearly centered on Messiah
Simple enough to actually use in a family setting

Why This Matters

Passover brings us back to the table, to Scripture, and to the story of a God who rescues, redeems, and keeps His promises. And it miraculously points us to Jesus.

If you’ve ever wanted to celebrate Passover at home but felt unsure where to start, I hope this Haggadah makes it simple, meaningful, and something your family returns to year after year as they tell the story.