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.
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You’ll find that following the Hebrew calendar becomes necessary when you begin to observe the Biblical Holy Days and align your year according to the Bible. To guide you in this, I recommend you purchase a calendar with the corresponding Hebrew months and Biblical Holy Days. The one I use is from First Fruits of Zion. It includes the Holy Days, corresponding dates on the Hebrew calendar, and the Torah Readings for each week and holiday.
The significant differences between the Gregorian calendar we’re used to and the Hebrew/Biblical calendar are: – Hebrew days start the evening before instead of at midnight. – Hebrew months do not correspond to the months on the Gregorian calendar. – The Hebrew calendar has a different Leap Year system, adding in a month 7 of the years out of a 19-year cycle instead of a day every four years, like the Gregorian leap year. – The Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar. – Months are 29 or 30 days instead of 28, 29, 30, or 31 like Gregorian months.
Biblical Events on the Hebrew Calendar
It’s interesting to study events in the Bible and where they occur on the Hebrew calendar. We can note when they occur, remember them, and even study them on the anniversary of their occurrence!
Here are some of the events from the Bible that we know the date of on the Hebrew calendar:
Nisan/Aviv (The First Month)
God designated this the year’s first month (Ex. 12:2).
Nisan 1: Building of the Tabernacle was completed, the 2nd Temple consecrated, and construction of the 3rd Temple will be completed (Ex. 40:2, 17; 2 Chr. 29:17, Eze. 45:18).
Nisan 10: The Passover Lambs are chosen (Ex. 12:3).
Nisan 11: When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, his triumphal entry is when people greet him with palm branches and shout “Hosanna” (Mt. 21:10- 19).
Nisan 12: The Last Supper and Jesus arrested (Mt. 26:17-68).
Nisan 13: Jesus is crucified, and Passover begins (Mt. 26-27, Ex. 12:8).
Nisan 14: Passover (Lev. 23:5, Ex. 12:6-13).
Nisan 15-21: Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6, Ex. 12:15-2).
Nisan 15: The Hebrew people leave Egypt (Ex. 12:28-51).
Nisan 16: Jesus rises from the dead (the evening before), First Fruits (approximate date) (Mt. 28:1, Lev 23:9-14).
Shevat 1: Moses told the people God said He’d give them the Promised Land (Deut. 1:3-8).
Shevat 24: Zechariah’s vision (Zech. 1:7).
Adar (The Twelfth Month)
Adar 3: Building of the 2nd Temple completed (Ezra 6:15).
Adar 14: Purim, Jews celebrate victory (Est. 9:17-18).
Adar 25: Jehoiachin freed from prison (2 Kgs. 25:27-30).
Understanding the Hebrew calendar is vital to Belivers because it increases our understanding of the Bible and Biblical events.
Take the Temple, for example. Is it merely a coincidence that the construction of the first and second Temples happened within a day of one another, even though these events took place 485 years apart? How about when both Temples were destroyed on the same day, but the second was destroyed 656 years after the first?
Or, even more intriguing, that Jesus, who John referred to as the Lamb of God before his ministry even started, was crucified on Passover when the Passover lambs were killed (John 1:29, Mt. 26-27)? Or when the Apostles were celebrating God giving the Law on Shavuot, which happened over 1,000 years earlier, the Holy Spirit was given, and the Law was written on their hearts (Ex. 19:16-25, Acts 2)?
I don’t think any of this occurred randomly. It happened just as God knew it would. He also knew what was coming and what would happen in the future. Isn’t it amazing to look at the Hebrew calendar and see God’s faithfulness to His people throughout time?
The plan of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
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Many Believers who have embraced their faith’s Hebraic roots look forward to each new moon. What, if anything, do new moons have to do with our faith?
The new moon is not unique to those in the Hebraic roots and Messianic faiths; it has significance in many cultures. In Hebrew, the new moon is called the Rosh Chodesh, meaning “head of the month,” indicating that it starts a new month on the Hebrew or Biblical calendar.
The Science
Wondering exactly what a new moon is? It’s a thin sliver of moon that appears opposite the full moon in a lunar cycle. New moons can be predicted on the calendar; however, they can be seen within two days of that predicted date.
A new moon occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun. It appears dark, as if there is no moon in the sky, and the sliver of the moon can be viewed briefly just after sundown.
Where are New Moons Found in the Bible?
You may be surprised (I was!) at how many times new moons are mentioned throughout the Bible. They’re referred to as new moons but also as “the first day of the month.”
In Biblical times, the Hebrew people watched for the new moon and notified those at the Temple when it was sighted. Multiple witnesses were needed to ensure it was seen, as it was very important to mark the beginning of the month correctly.
It’s Biblical that the moon dictates God’s calendar. He even tells us at the very beginning of creation that that was why He created it:
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years
Genesis 1:14
The two important things to note in the above verse are that the word translated here as “seasons” is the Hebrew word “moedim,” which means “appointed times,” such as the Feasts and Festivals. The other important thing is that we notice here that watching the “lights in the expanse of the heavens” reveals God’s calendar to us!
And God’s people aren’t to use the new moons in this way only in Old Testament times. We see that Believers in the New Testament continued to observe the new moons even after Jesus’s ascent into heaven (Col. 2:16), and we’ll even use them in the future in the New Jerusalem (Is. 66:23-24 & Ez. 46:1-7)!
The Bible shows us that some significant things occurred on the first day of the month and points out that these things happened on the first day versus just any day of the month. Here are some of the places where Rosh Chodesh, the new moon, appears in the Bible:
It was the day the mountaintops became visible after the flood and the day the water completely dried up (Genesis 8:5 & 13).
It’s when the Tabernacle was to be set up (Ex. 40:1-2).
The holiday of Yom Teruah is to be on the new moon of the 7th month (Lev. 23:24).
It’s one of the times God talked with Moses (Num. 1:1).
Aaron, priest, and Moses’s brother died (Num 33:38).
David was expected to attend a meal with King Saul but didn’t show up (1 Sam. 20).
The Shunammite woman headed to visit Elisha, even though it wasn’t a new moon when she would have been expected to go (2 Kings 4:23).
Ezra started reading the Torah to Israel in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:6-10).
God’s word came to 2 prophets – Ezekiel (Ez 26:1) and Haggai (Hag. 1:1).
How is it Relevant to Our Faith?
Aside from new moons being mentioned in the Bible and coinciding with Biblical events, how are new moons relevant to our faith as Bible-believing Christians?
To alert us to God’s eternal calendar
Important Biblical events tend to occur according to the calendar God set up. In Leviticus 23, He laid out the Biblical Holy Days, including Passover and Shavuot. When Jesus died on Passover, it taught us that there are similarities between Jesus and the Passover Lamb. On the day the Apostles were celebrating God giving the Law on Shavuot, the Holy Spirit was given to them, which caused them to understand that the Law was now being written on their hearts.
Biblical events lining up with the calendar God set up is one of the most amazing things I’ve found in the Bible! I encourage you to look for more of these coinciding events. There are many!
To know the proper times to observe the Biblical Holy Days
When we pay attention to the new moons, we know when each month on the Hebrew calendar begins. In Leviticus 23, we’re given the month and day each Holy Day is to be observed. The new moon tells us which day is the first, and we can count from there to know when to observe a Holy Day.
The Biblical Holy Days are of great significance to our Christian faith! Here’s an overview of each Holy Day and its relevance to our Messiah. If you haven’t yet observed them as a tradition, give it a try—I think you’ll be blessed by it!
With no Temple to offer sacrifices, it’s not Biblically clear how to observe new moons. However, regardless of how it was done, the Bible clearly states that God wants His people to notice when it’s the first day of the month.
We can look to the Bible for some direction on what to do on each new moon, though. We can find out what was done on new moons in the Bible and see what we can practice in our day and age to learn and observe what God intended us to do. Of course, it’s always helpful to spend some time in the Word as we’re trying to understand any Biblical concept. Here are some references to the new moons and what was done at that time.
Blow shofars (Num. 10:10).
Present an offering at the Temple (Num. 10:10; 28:11, 14; Ezra 3:5; Neh. 10:32-33).
Have a celebratory meal (David was expected at a meal with the king, 1 Sam. 20:5-27).
Worship (Is. 66:23).
Celebrate. New moons are grouped with other celebratory festivals (Hosea 2:11).
Grain wasn’t sold on the new moon, possibly indicating that it was a Sabbath (Amos 8:5).
Given these Biblical activities done on new moons, what should we do? Here are some things Hebraic Roots Christians do during these times:
Blow shofars
Dance
Plan, discuss, and study the Holy Days of that month
Women gather
Pray
How do you know when the new moons are?
First of all, watch the sky! Also, I love the calendar by First Fruits of Zion for new moons and other appointed times. It also has beautiful pictures of the Land of Israel and verses for each month. Get your First Fruits of Zion Biblical Calendar here!
One of the things I enjoy about having a blog is that I get to hear from Christians around the world on the Hebraic path. Thank you for all your comments and emails!
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We Often Start As Islands
I hear many different things from my audience, but I hear one thing far more than anything else. Those who read my website tell me they’ve been convicted to practice their faith differently but find themselves alone. Their churches, families, and even spouses may be unsupportive of their journey, and lacking community in their new faith walk, they find themselves alone.
But this isn’t the case! They’re not alone. Although they may find themselves alone initially, many who have been on this path for years remember starting that way. However, now, they have a community of Believers on a similar path, and may even refer to that group as “family.”
What I’ve Witnessed
I’ve been on the Hebraic path for about eleven years and have seen it grow by leaps and bounds. When I was first convicted to divert from traditional Christianity, the resources were minimal. Now, there are many resources for those in our faith, and they’re continually increasing.
It used to be that an internet search of “Hebrew Roots,” “Christian Jewish Roots,” or other related terms led to just a few obscure results, which were low in the search results. But now, searching for these exact terms reveals many related results from numerous sources. There are blogs (like this one), videos, books, etc., on these topics on the internet, and they’re more accessible and easier to find.
Aside from Holy Branches, here are a few sites you may find exciting and educational.
When I search for Hebrew Roots books on Amazon, pages of related results will appear, where there weren’t many at the beginning of my journey. There’s even a homeschool curriculum for my children in this area, which is astonishing as it wasn’t available when my older ones were young—a few years ago!
The other thing I find much more prevalent in online stores is the items used in the practice of the Hebraic faith. Shofars, hanukkiahs, Messianic jewelry, clothing, etc., are available in many options, specifically for Christians in this faith!
Congregation Search
Searching for Hebraic and Messianic congregations is another area where I see this Movement’s growth. Results were minimal when I searched for Messianic congregations in the U.S. just a few years ago, but now many congregations appear in these searches, making it easier for those seeking fellowship to find it.
It’s exciting to be part of a growing faith and return to our Biblical roots. Look a little further if you feel you’re the only one on this path! We’re here, and our numbers are growing each day. Praise God!
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In addition, there’s a tradition that reminds us when the Sabbath is over, and we return to our regular week. It’s called Havdalah. In Hebrew, Havdalah means “separation” and celebrates what a blessing the Sabbath is. It’s a way of both saying our goodbyes to it and looking forward to next week’s Sabbath. As our God has asked of us, Havdalah is another way to remember the Sabbath. It’s also how we can keep it holy and set it apart from the other days.
The three essential elements of the Havdalah service are a cup of wine, a braided, multi-wick candle to light, and fragrant spices. Held on Saturday evening, just after sundown, the Havdalah service is typically held at home instead of in a congregational setting.
Like other traditions, the order of a basic Havdalah ceremony varies among households.
This blessing is the same one we say when we bring in the Shabbat called the HaGafen. Fill the cup to the very brim with wine. It’s okay if it overflows – that signifies our overflowing blessings. Recite the blessing, but don’t drink the wine until after the Havdalah service concludes.
In English:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Response: Amen)
At the Havdalah service, we smell pleasantly fragrant spices to remind everyone of the blessing we’ve been given in the Sabbath. Cloves and cinnamon are the most often used spices, but hyssop, anise, and other spices can also be used. A blessing is then said over the spices.
By lighting the havdalah candle, we remember two things – that light was the first thing created by our God and that the Sabbath is over, and we begin our work, our “creating.” Lighting the candle represents our first act or work of the week, as many don’t light candles on the Sabbath due to Exodus 35:3.
In English:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, creator of the light of the fire.
The final blessing brings it all together. Havdalah is to distinguish the sacred from the common, the holy from the unholy. It states that the holy Shabbat has ended, and the work week has begun. This blessing praises God for separating. While this may seem strange, think of all the separating God does. He separated the light from darkness, the waters from the heavens, the seas from the dry land, the Sabbath from the rest of the week, His people from among the nations, etc.
In the command to keep the Sabbath, we must keep it holy. Keeping it holy means we’re to set it apart from the rest of the days of the week. Havdalah is one way to keep the Sabbath holy – we’re deliberately separating it from the other days of the week. Here’s the blessing over separation, called the Hamavdil.
In English:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane, light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of work. Blessed are you, Lord, who separates between the holy and the profane. (Response: Amen)
Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, ha-mahv-dil ben ko-desh leh-chol, ben or leh-cho-shech ben yees-ra-el la-a-meem ben yom hash-vee-ee leh-sheh-sheht yeh-mei ha-mah-ah-seh. Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai ha-mahv-dil ben ko-desh leh-chol.
(Response: “Amen”)
The End of the Shabbat
After the blessings, take a drink of the wine. The havdalah candle is then extinguished in the wine that overflowed from the cup, symbolizing that the Shabbat is now over. Everyone can now wish each other a “Shavua Tov” – a good week!
A Havdalah service is important because it separates the holiness of the Sabbath from the other days of the week. Instead of just being another day, the Sabbath is separated with the Shabbat service on Friday evening and the Havdalah on Saturday evening. This clear separation is not only one way we can honor God’s command to keep the Sabbath holy. It’s also a way to align our week with His calendar and receive even more blessings by living according to His ways!
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Does God really care that much whether we keep the Sabbath? What difference does taking a day off work make? Couldn’t we take a vacation for rest or worship Him at any convenient time?
A basic rule of Bible study is to pay special attention to the things God repeats in His Word. The concept of the Sabbath is repeated numerous times, beginning at the very beginning when God rested after the creation of our universe. Sabbath keeping is worded as a command 27 times, and there are many other places where it is discussed further. It’s not only one of the Ten Commandments; God also calls it a sign of the covenant between Him and His people forever!
I want to point out that I know the subject of the Sabbath creates some division among Christians. There are Godly Christ-followers on both sides of the Sabbath conversation, and many have strong feelings about it. I’ll present here the conclusion my family has reached in our pursuit of God’s will in our lives, and I hope these words will fall on open ears and hearts, no matter your beliefs on the issue. Like every other aspect of the life of a believer, we must take our questions to God and His Word and use our discernment through the Holy Spirit to decide what we do and do not do.
That one’s pretty simple. Remember it and keep it holy. Got it.
Then it gets more serious.
Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.
“For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a sabbath of complete rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.
While we don’t put those who ignore the Sabbath to death, these verses make it obvious how God feels about it. Besides being commanded by God, violating the Sabbath carried a stiff punishment in Old Testament times.
Looking at what God says about the Sabbath through His prophet Ezekiel (Ez. 20-23) is even more sobering. He considered wiping out the entire nation of Israel for profaning the Sabbath and rejecting God’s other ordinances. Yikes!
But why does He care so much? Why does my taking a day off of work – or not – make any difference to God?
The Sign of the Covenant
The Sabbath isn’t just a day of rest. It’s a sign that we belong to God.
I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
God created all people, and many claim to belong to Him, but He clarifies in His Word that keeping the Sabbath is the sign that we acknowledge that He’s our God and we’re His people.
I’ve heard baptism metaphorically explained like a wedding ring. Accepting Jesus as your Savior seals your place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Baptism is your outward expression of that decision to the world, just as the wedding is what makes you married, but the ring is how you show that decision to the public.
The Sabbath is much the same. When we accept Jesus, we belong to God. He is our God, and we are His people. Keeping the Sabbath is the external signal to God, the world, and ourselves that we’ve made that decision. Ignoring the Sabbath is like keeping our relationship with God a secret. We may indeed be His people, but we’re unwilling to expose that to the public in the action of observing the Sabbath.
I want to make this part very clear. Keeping the Sabbath doesn’t save us! Belief in Jesus as the only sacrifice for our sin does (Rom. 10:9-10). However, when we fail to keep the Sabbath, we give up the opportunity to show God and those around us who we belong to. That’s why it’s so serious.
Didn’t Jesus Work on the Sabbath?
Jesus and his disciples gathered grain on the Sabbath as they traveled. While this was permitted by law, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus since he did it on the Sabbath. But gathering grain wasn’t against any biblical command concerning the Sabbath. Not gathering grain was a Rabbinical addition to God’s command. When asked about this, Jesus didn’t say, “I’m here now, so the Sabbath is no longer relevant.” Although this would have been the perfect time to point out that we no longer needed to keep the Sabbath, he instead tried to teach them what God says about mercy (Matt. 12:1-8).
Did Jesus’s Crucifixion and
Resurrection Nullify the Sabbath?
Nowhere in his recorded words does Jesus say to stop keeping the Sabbath – before or after his resurrection. In fact, Jesus says that he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17). He clarified that the Law isn’t gone because of his arrival on Earth or his work on the cross. He’s the Messiah, the one who kept every one of the commands in the Torah – The Holy Days, the 10 Commandments, eating a Kosher diet, Keeping the Sabbath, all of it. We could say he just did those things because he was born of Jewish heritage, but remember that it was his perfect keeping of these “Jewish” laws that made him the only one on Earth throughout history that qualified as a sacrifice for the sin of all. Let that sink in.
The Sabbath is Forever
If the Sabbath was meant to be temporary, why didn’t God say that? Sabbath-keeping was such a big deal in both the Old Testament and among the Messianic Jews who made up the early church; why didn’t God clarify that it was no longer necessary?
Exodus 31:16, Leviticus 16:31, and 24:8 all say that the Sabbath is permanent. It doesn’t say that it will be abolished when the Messiah comes or that it’s only necessary during the wandering in the desert or while the Temple is standing. It’s forever—throughout all generations of God’s people.
The Ten Commandments, including the fourth—the one about the Sabbath—were given to the Hebrew people, later called the people of Israel. In other places, such as Isaiah 56, it was stated that foreigners would receive blessings from keeping the commands of God—the Sabbath and others. Exodus 20:10 says that even a sojourner staying with a Hebrew should observe the Sabbath with the rest of the household.
Unless you’re Jewish by heritage, you’re a Gentile and cannot change that by obeying the commands God gave to Israel. However, the apostle Paul lays out how we’re grafted in to the promises God gave Israel through our faith in Jesus. It’s important to realize that, because of this, the promises, commands, and blessings God gave to Israel are now extended to us as well.
For All God’s Creation
The Sabbath is not only for people everywhere but also for other parts of God’s creation. He commands that the land and livestock should also have a Sabbath. Many places say this, and here are a couple.
but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.
We all know why it’s essential for humans and even animals to rest, but God also sees benefit in the land itself taking a break from its job of producing.
But it’s not just creation that takes a Sabbath. We can look back at Genesis to remind us that even the Creator Himself took a Sabbath after His miraculous creation work. Chapter 2 tells us that that’s when He blessed the day, making it holy, as only God can do.
What Should We Do?
You may be feeling awkward right now if you learned something new about the Sabbath or have recently been convicted of not keeping it God’s way like I was. Don’t throw in the towel, though. Just because those around you don’t keep the Sabbath or think it’s optional or unimportant to God doesn’t mean you have to follow their path. Even if you’ve never kept the Sabbath, here are a few things to set you on your way to a peaceful and God-pleasing one.
While we know this should be where we start in any step we take in our faith walk, we sometimes forget it. Ask God what He wants for you and your family regarding the Sabbath. Be ready to hear His answer, even if it may not be what you were expecting. Dig into His Word to see what He has to say about the Sabbath, and ask Him to show you what that should look like in your life.
Get started.
When our family got serious about Sabbath-keeping, it wasn’t easy at first! We had to restructure our whole week to incorporate the Sabbath, and it took a few years to get it right. We’re not perfect at it now, but we regularly have holy, peaceful Sabbaths and continue to learn and grow more toward that each week.
Here’s what my family does on the Sabbath to give you ideas of where to start. Don’t strive toward your expectation of what a Sabbath should look like. Instead, make it a day to grow closer to God, your family, and others. Continually learn and grow in the direction God takes you.
Embrace tradition.
Our family finds it most beneficial to observe a traditional Jewish-type Sabbath. While this may not work for all families, it has given us the focus, discipline, and other tools we needed to make Sabbath-keeping a tradition in our home. Learning about and employing one Sabbath tradition at a time may help everyone adjust.
Prepare.
Keeping the Sabbath doesn’t work well without this one—trust me—I’ve tried! Make a list of things that need to be done ahead of time to ensure the Sabbath is as work-free as possible. Organize that list according to when each item can be done and spread the work over the days of the week. Planning this way will prevent you from trying to squish a week’s worth of chores and cooking into your Friday afternoon, causing you to arrive at the Sabbath worn out and stressed.
The Bible clearly shows that the Sabbath is essential to God and should be to us. Just that should cause us to take our Sabbaths seriously and remember them as God told us to. But Jesus also pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:27). While we do it to show that we belong to God, we also keep the Sabbath because we know we’re all in desperate need of some quality rest – both the kind you get from taking a day off of work and the perfect and eternal peace we can only find in our Savior.
If you’d like further information on how to observe the Sabbath in your Christian home, this book is just what you need. Susan Marcus explains Jewish Roots simply yet practically in Enter His Gates. I’ve used it a lot, especially as a Sabbath newbie, and I think you’ll also find it beneficial!
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.
Many of Jesus’s most well-known words have even more meaning than we think! He often quoted the Old Testament in his teachings, bringing its laws and lessons to the forefront of the Christian faith.
The Torah
The term Torah can refer to a few different things. While it’s commonly used as a reference to the first five books of the bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy), it can also mean the first 24 books (Genesis through Chronicles), and it can also include the Oral Torah (or Rabbinical Law). Here, I’m just including some of the times Jesus quoted the first five books of the Old Testament, although there are many more times he quotes or refers to both the Torah and the rest of the Old Testament.
There’s a popular thought in the church right now that The Old Testament has become irrelevant. Its proponents argue that, because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and the resultant New Covenant, the Old Testament and its archaic commands and stories no longer influence our faith. I couldn’t disagree more with this way of thinking! God’s Word makes clear in both the New and the Old Testaments that the Old Testament is indeed quite relevant to our Christian walk when it says the following:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
But more importantly, our Savior Jesus himself saw the importance of the Torah. He told us specifically that he didn’t come to abolish the Law (Matt. 5:17) and that it’s easier for heaven and earth to pass away than even one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail (Luke 16:17).
He not only directly told us of the value of God’s Laws, He quoted the Torah, where we find these Laws, a LOT. Most of his well-known quotes are either direct quotes from the Old Testament or are references to verses throughout it. He knew that much of his audience was of Jewish heritage, like himself, and that they knew the scriptures very, very well. As Gentile Christians, we are sometimes confused by his Old Testament references, but his Jewish audience would have understood completely what he was referencing and why – even though some of them disagreed and thought him blasphemous.
But Jesus didn’t just include references from the Old Testament in his teachings for the audience present at the time; he included them for us, too! He knew that his words would be recorded and read for millennia, and he said exactly what he knew all of us would need to hear. This happened more times than I’m able to list here, but below are just a few of the times Jesus refers to the Torah to make his point.
The greatest commandment
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:36-40 and Mark 12:28-31)
Judaism traditionally has 613 laws, and in this situation, Jesus’ Jewish audience tested him to see if he knew the correct answer to their question. Of course, he did, and he quoted what’s known as the Shema from the book of Deuteronomy.
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut. 6:4-5)
He also adds the second most important commandment from Leviticus.
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. (Lev. 19:18)
During the Sermon on the Mount
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes some well-known parts of the Torah and extends obedience to them even further. He encourages his audience to not only do the minimum to obey these commands but to really take the commands to heart and not even come close to disobeying them.
In reference to the command not to murder in Exodus 20:13, Jesus says:
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matt. 5:21-22)
Yikes! That’s convicting to pretty much all of us. But he goes on from there to cover more of the commandments given in Exodus.
“You
have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit
adultery’; but I say to you that everyone
who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with
her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from
you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for
your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your
right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is
better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body
to go into hell. (Matt. 5:27-30)
Then, he refers to a command in Deuteronomy (24:1) that deals with fair divorce and provisions for women when a man leaves her. He extends the divorce requirement from mere obedience to a heart matter when he points out that a man can’t leave his wife just on a whim or because he’s lost interest in her.
“It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matt 5:31-22)
When Tempted
During the 40 days that Satan was tempting Jesus, Jesus rebuked Satan when he twisted God’s words to try to trip Jesus up and cause him to sin. His responses remind himself, Satan, and us what God really said and where Jesus’s allegiance lies.
And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'” (Matt. 4:3-4 and Luke 4:3-4)
Here, Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 8:3, which says, “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”
Then Jesus uses words from the Torah to again refute Satan.
Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command His angels concerning You’;
and
‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'”
Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (Matt. 4:5-7 and Luke 4:9-12)
Jesus’s response points to Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.”
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'” (Matt. 4:8-10 and Luke 4:5-8)
During this last test, Jesus once again takes a command from the Torah and holds it up against Satan’s temptation. This one comes from Deuteronomy 6, also. This time, it’s from verse 13. It says, “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.”
The Torah and the entire Old Testament are relevant to our faith, and Jesus often used them to teach his followers and even refute Satan! We should take all of God’s Word to heart and, as 2 Timothy says, use it to be adequate and equipped for every good work.
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Studying the Bible can teach us so much about life, but perhaps the most important thing we can learn from the Bible is about God’s character. When we study, we see what God can do and how He interacts with His people. As His character is revealed, so are His attributes, and we can get to know who He is!
Click here for a free printable PDF Names of God Chart to use in your studies!
If you’re new to the Hebrew language, starting with my posts on the Hebrew Alphabet and the Hebrew Vowels may be helpful.
Yahweh – יהוה
This name is the most common one of God used in the Bible. יהוה is used 6,823 times and found in all but three books of the Old Testament (Ecclesiastes, Esther, and Song of Songs). It’s called the Tetragrammaton, Greek for “made of four letters.” In English translations, it appears as “LORD” in all capital letters to distinguish it from other Hebrew words for God.
Since no vowels accompany these four consonants in the oldest texts, there’s some speculation on the pronunciation of this name. Many agree that it’s pronounced “Yahweh,” with the vowels appearing as יַהְוֶה, yet others propose that the vowels are as such instead יְהֹוָה. This second pronunciation would render another familiar name for God – “Yehovah” or the common translation of “Jehovah.”
Most Hebrew words are derived from a 3-consonant root word, and the words derived from that root have similar meanings. יהוה comes from the Hebrew root word meaning “to be.” This translation would make sense as God referred to Himself as “I AM,” a form of the verb “to be.”
יהוה is used as God’s name mostly in situations where He’s interacting with His people. One example is when He appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Ex. 3:2) or breathed life into Adam (Gen. 2:7).
A shortened form of Yahweh, Yah (יָהּ), is used in many places. When Moses and the people of Israel sing, “The LORD is my strength and song” (Ex. 15:2), Yah is the name used for “LORD.”
As the name of God is holy, many don’t speak it out of reverence and respect. Instead, it’s often replaced by “HaShem,” meaning “the name,” or “Adonai,” meaning “my Lord,” as well as other terms of honor.
Many Christians are interested in returning to more literal interpretations of scripture, including the name of God. The Scriptures Bible from the Institute for Scripture Research has restored יהוה as the name for God throughout the text, rather than replacing it with other words.
יהוה is combined with other words to show us His character even more precisely. Below are examples of this. Each of them reveals yet another aspect of God’s awesome character.
Yahweh Elohim יהוה אֱלֹהִים
This name can be translated as “LORD God,” but it emphasizes God’s creative nature as in Genesis 2:4. One variation on this is יְהוָֽה אֱלֹהָי, Yahweh Elohai, which means “the LORD my God” instead. Another variation is when God addresses His people: “I am the LORD your God.” This is Yahweh Elohechem, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם.
Yahweh El Elyon יהוה אֵל עֶלְיֹון
This term means “LORD God most high,” found in Genesis 14 when Melchizedek blesses Abram just before God promises him a son and countless descendants. It’s also found in Psalms in the form of praise to God.
Yahweh Elohei David יהוה אֱלֹהֵי דָּוִד
Isaiah prophecies to Hezekiah on his supposed deathbed that the “God of his father, David,” would add fifteen years to his life. We can see that God was indeed the God of King David as we get to know many aspects of God through David in Psalms and otherwise.
Yahweh Roie יהוה רֹעִי
Most Christians are very familiar with this aspect of God. This name means “God my shepherd” and is found in the first verse of Psalm 23. It’s translated as “The LORD is my shepherd…”.
Here’s another name given to God by King David in the Psalms. From Psalm 19:14, God is called David’s “rock and Redeemer” after giving glory to God for His Laws, judgments, and commands.
Yahweh Sali יהוה סַלְעִי
This name, also given by King David, means “God my hiding place.” This phrase is similar to “God, my rock and redeemer” above, but here, the word “rock” can also mean “cliff” or “boulder.” It can also be translated as “refuge.”
Yahweh Avienu יהוה אָבִינוּ
“God, our Father” is what this Hebrew name for God means. It’s found in the book of Isaiah, chapters 63 and 64, where Isaiah pleads for mercy for the people of Israel, as well as David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20.
“The LORD is peace” is what Gideon named the altar he built in Judges 6:24. This was just after an angel appeared to him and told him that God would help him defeat the Midianites, which he later did.
But wait, didn’t God bring war and not peace in this case? Why say that God is peace if He promised the Israelites a war victory?
The peace was brought to God’s people through the defeat of the Midianites because Midian had greatly oppressed the Israelites. Defeating them with God’s help brought freedom and peace.
Yahweh Rof’ekah יהוה רֹפְאֶךָ
Also, Yahweh Rafa (רָפָא) is a name God gave to Himself in Exodus 15:26. He said that he would spare the Hebrew people from the plagues he put on the Egyptians if they were obedient. This name means “healer,” and He has control over our bodies as our Creator. He can heal and protect.
Yahweh Yir’eh יהוה יִרְאֶה
This name comes from Genesis 22:14 when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac out of obedience to God. It means “God provides” or “God who sees”.
Although this name is commonly translated as “Jehovah Jireh,” there’s no “j” sound in Hebrew as there is in English, so a more accurate pronunciation of this name would be “Yuh-hoe-vah yeer-eh”.
For us today, throughout the Bible, even in situations of great persecution like what Paul experienced, God sees our circumstances and knows exactly what’s needed to fulfill His plan for His people. We can be sure that He’s faithful and will always provide!
Yahweh Elohai Yisrael יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
This one is used many times throughout the Old Testament to emphasize that our God is the one being referred to and to distinguish Him from the gods of the people in the surrounding areas.
Yahweh Nissie יהוה נִסִּי
Used only once in the Bible, Exodus 17:15, this is the name Moses gave the altar he built after the Israelites defeated the Amalekites. It means “God, my banner.” The word “banner” could also be “exaltation” or “refuge” as well. Whichever of those he meant, Moses was attributing their victory to God in naming the altar.
Yahweh Maqadashem יהוה מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם
This is a name God gives Himself, mostly while He’s giving His Law to His people. It means “LORD, your sanctifier.” We don’t have the power to sanctify ourselves or anything, for that matter. Only our holy God can declare something holy.
Yahweh Oseinu יהוה עֹשֵׂנוּ
This name refers to God’s creative abilities and means “God, our Maker.” It’s found in Psalm 95, which implores us to worship Him and recognize that we’re His people. God is our Creator! He made us, and we are His! Isn’t that amazing?!
Yahweh Shamah יהוה שָׁמָּה
“God is there” is what this name means. From Ezekiel 48:35, this is a prophecy stating the name of the city God will inhabit in the Millennial Kingdom. The city’s name clarifies that God will be physically present there. How amazing! I wonder what it will be like!
Yahweh Tsidqenu יהוה צִדְקֵנוּ
Tsidqenu (pronounced tseed-qay-noo) means righteousness, so this name means “God, our righteousness.” It’s used twice in Jeremiah, chapters 23 and 33, to predict the Messiah. We’re not righteous. But through Jesus, we can appear righteous before God!
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Shalom! I’m so glad you’ve decided to observe a traditional Messianic Sabbath evening. I hope it becomes one of your family’s most-loved traditions, as it has in mine.
The Sabbath is not only one of the 10 Commandments; it’s a sign that we are God’s people (See Ez. 20:12, 20). By keeping the Sabbath, we’re not only being obedient to God but also showing our faith in who He is to us through our actions. Doing so brings glory to Him.
This guide provides a fundamental overview of a traditional Sabbath. Every family observes the Sabbath a bit differently, so feel welcome to use this as a guide and tailor it to work best for your family. Whatever you do, keep the focus on God and keep the day set apart for Him.
Friday is commonly known as Preparation Day because this is usually the time to prepare everything so everyone can rest on the Sabbath. Cleaning, food preparation, etc., are done in advance so everyone can rest, focus on God, and spend time with family.
Instead of days beginning at midnight like we’re used to in our culture, days on the Hebrew calendar start at sundown. So, the Sabbath is from sundown on Friday evening until Saturday evening.
Light the Candles
The woman of the house is usually responsible for lighting the candles and bringing in the Sabbath. Two candles are lit to signify the two commands given regarding the Sabbath—to remember it and to keep it holy.
Although not required, women traditionally cover their heads during the blessing as a symbol of humility before God. The woman covers her head with a head covering (scarf), lights the candles, and says the following blessing.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to be a light to the nations and Who gave to us Jesus our Messiah, the light of the world.
Different blessings are said over boys and girls, and the Aaronic Blessing follows both. The father usually says these blessings, although anyone can bless the children.
The blessing for the boys comes from Genesis 48:20, where Jacob said, “By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!'” The blessing over girls holds them high that they would become like some of the most remarkable women in the Bible
The Blessing over the Wife comes from Proverbs 31, verses 10-31. Interestingly enough, this blessing is also said over women who are not married. This blessing shows appreciation for wives and all women for all they do to hold homes and communities together! The husband usually says it, and it is as follows.
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying
“Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
The Kiddush reminds us why we’re doing what we’re doing. It incorporates verses from Genesis that discuss the Sabbath, as well as a blessing over the wine and thanking God for choosing and sanctifying the nation of Israel. The man of the house traditionally says it.
The person saying the Kiddush holds the cup of wine up while reciting it. After the Kiddush is said, each participant can either take a drink from a single Kiddush cup or their own wine/juice glasses.
And it was evening and it was morning, the sixth day. And the heavens and the earth and all their hosts were completed. And God finished by the Seventh Day His work which He had done, and He rested on the Seventh Day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the Seventh Day and made it holy, for on it He rested from all His work which God created to function.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Response: Amen)
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has hallowed us with His commandments, has desired us, and has given us, in love and goodwill, His holy Shabbat as a heritage, in remembrance of the work of Creation; the first of the holy festivals, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all the nations, and with love and goodwill given us Your holy Shabbat as a heritage. Blessed are You Lord, who hallows the Shabbat. (Response: Amen)
The Hamotzi is the blessing over the bread. We usually sing it together, and one person holds the challah, plate and all, up while we sing. After the Hamotzi, the bread is set down to be eaten later. It’s often eaten by tearing pieces off and dipping them in the wine or juice.
Here’s the traditional tune:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
After that, enjoy your meal together and have a restful Sabbath! If you’re looking for ideas for what to do with the rest of your Sabbath day, read What DO We Do on the Sabbath.
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What does keeping the Sabbath look like? The fourth commandment is clear, and numerous other places throughout the Bible make it evident that God finds observation of the Sabbath something all His people should do. Keeping the Sabbath means, in part, refraining from work on that day. We are to refrain from our vocation as well as other work.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”
What we’re not supposed to do on the Sabbath is clear, but what isn’t exactly clear is what we DO on that day. When we don’t work, do we just lay around and watch TV all day? Should we take a vacation? Run errands? Go to church?
There are several places we can look to find these answers. We can read the Bible and determine what Sabbath observance should look like. For practical application, we can learn from Orthodox Jews, who have been observing the Sabbath since Old Testament times. Learning from both leads to a more solid understanding of many Biblical customs, and the Sabbath is one of them.
What does a Jewish Sabbath look like?
They observe the Sabbath on Saturday.
When God commands that the Sabbath should occur on the seventh day, the Jews take Him at His word and keep the Sabbath to the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Jewish days start around sundown, so the Sabbath is from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
They take the command not to work as a declaration of their freedom from slavery, as slaves don’t usually get days off. When God freed them from slavery to the Egyptians, he took them as His people, establishing His covenant with them. The sign of this covenant is the Sabbath (Ex. 31:16 and Lev. 24:8).
They attend synagogue services.
They attend services as a family on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, or both.
They study God’s word.
The Torah is read during Friday evening and Saturday morning services. Orthodox Jews also study Torah as a family on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
They spend time with family.
The Sabbath is a leisurely affair, with taking walks, playing games, and hanging out together making up much of the day. They have meals together, with blessings for the food, the Sabbath, and each other.
There’s a definite beginning and end.
They light two candles when it begins, indicating that the family should remember and observe the Sabbath. A small ceremony called Havdalah marks its end, separating it from the other days of the week.
What the Sabbath Looks Like at My House
My family has adopted many of these customs to our Sabbath. When we first began, it wasn’t easy to implement. Not working on Saturdays was difficult, but once I figured it out, having a day of free time was a welcome change! We gradually changed our focus to fill our Sabbath with bible study, family time, and rest.
Keeping the Sabbath has been such a blessing to my family. Our culture is nonstop. While this allows us to be very productive, many American Christians struggle to find time for what they claim are the most important aspects of their lives—their family and faith. True Sabbath observation helps properly align our priorities. When done correctly, the Sabbath becomes a day in one’s schedule where the top priorities stay on top—every week, every year, for generations.
Here are a few things my family does on the Sabbath:
Eat simple snacks and meals that we prepared in advance
Have a family outing, such as going to the zoo or botanical gardens
Wish each other and others a “Shabbat Shalom!” or peaceful Sabbath
Our Friday evenings are getting more organized as Sabbath observation becomes routine. Each family member has specific roles on the Sabbath and looks forward to participating.
Although we have activities and school that day, Friday is Preparation Day. We spend most of the day preparing for the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew), the day’s focus. Without Preparation Day, preparing everything for a peaceful Sabbath is tough.
Each child (over 5) receives a Shabbat Prep Checklist on Friday morning. Their schoolwork, daily activities, and the chores they’re responsible for are on it. They have chores such as cleaning their rooms, selecting clothes for the next day, showering, and cleaning bathrooms. Doing these things on Friday allows for an evening and the following day, free to relax and enjoy family time.
My Shabbat Prep Checklist includes making meals for that evening and the next day, making challah bread, laying out clothing for the younger children and myself, cleaning the house, finishing laundry, and other tasks. I also ensure the table is set for our Sabbath meal and the necessary items are out (candles, candleholders, challah cover, decorative platters, etc.).
Here are the type of candles we usually use and a pretty cover for the challah bread similar to the one below.
We light our Sabbath candles and say blessings around dinnertime. Usually, this is done just after sunset at the start of the Sabbath, a job commonly reserved for the woman of the house. My oldest daughter says the prayer after I light the candles. She covers her head with a headscarf to say the blessing, which is a sign of respect for God.
After the blessing over the candles, my husband blesses the children and me. The blessings are our favorite part of the Sabbath! My kids wait expectantly for their turn to be blessed. It’s touching when my husband says Proverbs 31, a blessing over me. There’s so much value in my kids watching him do this week after week! You can find out more about the blessings here and here.
After this, my husband says a prayer, and we eat. My husband usually has a subject to discuss related to the Sabbath, that week’sparsha, or just life in general. I try to choose a family favorite for the Friday evening meal to avoid any struggles over the little ones eating their dinner! Afterward, we always watch a movie as a family, complete with popcorn.
On Saturday mornings, we either attend our Messianic Jewish Synagogue or do something recreational as a family. Saturday mornings are usually slower than mornings of other days, allowing time for bible study and rest. The Sabbath afternoon is often more leisurely than others, with naps and more study time being common activities.
We have an evening meal, then clean up after our restful day. We even include a Havdalah ceremony to mark the end of our Sabbaths.
Although our Sabbaths are free of work, we have plenty to do on Saturdays – the most important things! With the week’s work out of the way, we fill the day with much-needed rest, study of God’s word, and family time. What used to be an extra workday or a day to catch up on chores and household projects has become our most treasured day of the week. The best part is that keeping the Sabbath shows we’re in a covenant with the God of the universe, and we’re His people! What a marvelous blessing!
