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.

20 Frequently Used Hebrew Words in the Bible

Written by Holy Branches on October 30, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. 10 Comments on 20 Frequently Used Hebrew Words in the Bible

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.

Learning the Hebrew language is of great value to Christians in their study of the Bible. It helps us to better understand the Old Testament (and some New Testament) scriptures, which can ultimately lead to a deeper relationship with the God of the Bible Himself!

When studying Biblical Hebrew, students often concentrate on learning the words most commonly used in the Bible to aid in interpreting the texts. Familiarizing yourself with these 20 words will get your Hebrew reading skills off to a great start!

Note when you see Hebrew words below that Hebrew is read from right to left. I included pronunciation in parentheses for all Hebrew words to help sound them out.

The: הַ (pronounced ha)

Unsurprisingly, “the” is the most commonly used word in Biblical Hebrew, as it is the most frequently used in English. What’s interesting about “the” in Hebrew is its placement. It does not stand alone but is a prefix to the attached noun.

Example: “The heavens” in Genesis 1:1 is הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shuh-mah-yeem), with “ha” or “the” being a prefix to the word “heavens”.

Side note: A common use of this word is in the name of our Savior himself! In Hebrew, it’s Yeshua Hamashiach, where “Yeshua” means Jesus and “Hamashiach” means “the Messiah” or, more literally, “the anointed one.”

2. And: וְ (vuh)

Like “the,” the Hebrew word for “and” doesn’t stand alone. It’s attached to the word it precedes but functions like “and” in English.

For example: In Genesis 1:2, “And darkness” is וְהֹשֶׁךְ (vuh-ho-shekh), just one word.

In Genesis 1:2, we also find the phrase “and the earth,” which shows us another neat thing about the Hebrew language. We can combine prefixes to make a single word from this phrase. The Hebrew word replacing “and the earth” is וְהָאָרֶץ (vuh-ha-ah-retz), where “ah-retz” means earth.

Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary Cards: Second Edition

3. Yahweh: יהוה (Yahweh)

These four letters together are known as the Tetragrammaton or the Tetragram.

Example: This is the word used as the name of God in Exodus 3:15 when God tells Moses to tell the Israelites who sent him (Moses). It’s the 3rd person version of “I AM” (Ex. 3:14), so it’s more literally “He is”.

God giving Moses the 3rd person version of His name eliminated the confusion the Israelites would have had when Moses told them who sent him. On the other hand, can you picture the conversation that would have been if God hadn’t given Moses the 3rd person alternative? The “He is” instead of just the “I AM”? Israelites: “So, Moses. Who sent you?” Moses: “I am”. Israelites: “Wait, what? You are what? I said who sent you?” And so on. That always makes me laugh. But don’t you love how God equips Moses with precisely what he needs for the job? You need a name? Here it is. You need a name to tell others? Here’s that, too.

4. God or gods: אֱלֹהִים (e-lo-heem)

Another word for God, Elohim, could also mean gods in general. It’s a lot like the English word “god” since it could mean just any god or THE God.

Example: From Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God (אֱלֹהִים Elohim) created the the heavens and the earth”.

5. King: מֶלֶךְ (meh-lekh)

One unique and exciting thing that significantly helps in understanding Hebrew is the concept of root words. A root, usually consisting of three Hebrew letters, gives you a clue into the word’s meaning. Related words typically have the same root.

For example: While מֶלֶךְ (meh-lekh) means “king,” מָלַךְ (ma-lock) means “to reign” or “he reigns”. And from that same root, the letters מ and ל, and כ (which becomes ך when at the end of a word) also make up מַלְכָּה (mall-kah), which means “queen” and מַלְכוּת (mal-khoot), meaning “kingdom.”

“Then the king (מֶלֶךְ meh-lekh) said to her, “What is troubling you, Esther, the queen (מַלְכָּה mall-kah)? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom (מַּלְכוּת mal-khoot), it shall be given to you.” Esther 5:3

Hebrew Word Study: Revealing the Heart of God By Chiam Bentorah

6. Israel: יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yis-ray-el)

This one’s pretty straight forward, but important since it’s used a lot in the Hebrew Bible.

Example: “Hear, O Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל Yis-ray-el)…” Deut. 6:4

7. To, for, or in regard to: לְ (luh)

Like the Hebrew words for “the” and “and,” this word is also a prefix attached to the word it precedes. Note in the below verse that the vowel pointing (tiny dots or marks) under the letter in this word changes when attached to certain words.

Note: אֶל (el) can also be used as “to” or “toward”. While it’s sometimes interchangeable with the prefix לְ (luh), this word appears by itself rather than as a prefix.

Examples: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes (לָעֵינַיִם luh-ae-nah-yeem)…” Gen. 3:6

8. From: מִן (meen)

This word can stand alone or be used as a prefix. It’s מִן when by itself, but when attached to another word, the letter ן (noon) drops off and appears as a dot (dagesh) in the word it connects to. A third way this word can appear is as a prefix with different vowel pointing – מֵ.

Example: “So Abram went up from Egypt (מִמִּצְרַיִם mee-meets-rah-yeem) to the Negev…”. Gen. 13:1

9. Which or that: אֲשֶׁר (ah-share)

While certainly not one of the more exciting words in the Bible, this one is used quite often. Whether it’s translated as “which” or “that” depends on the translation and context.

Example: “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that (אֲשֶׁר ah-share) he had done in creation” Gen. 2:3

10. All or whole: כֹּל (coal)

Here’s another word you’ll find frequently in the Hebrew Bible; its meaning is pretty straightforward. It’s usually attached to the word it precedes with a hyphen, and the vowel markings change when connected to a word.

Example: “And the whole congregation (כָּל־עֲדַת coal adat) of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness…” Ex. 16:2

11. Direct object marker: אֵת (ate or et)

This word isn’t translatable because its only purpose is to indicate that the word following it is the direct object of the preceding verb. That may be confusing since we don’t use this in English, but this is frequently used in the Hebrew Bible.

For example: “You shall love the Lord your God (אֶתיְהוָה et-Yahweh) with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deut. 6:5

12. Day: יוֹם (yōm)

In addition to being used often in the Hebrew Bible, yom is also used in the names of the days of the week in Hebrew. Yom Shabbat is Saturday, Yom Rishon is Sunday, etc.

Example: In this verse, the prefix for “the” is attached to the word for sabbath (shabbat). “Remember the sabbath day (אֶת־יוֹםהַשָּׁבַּת et-yom-ha-shabbat), to keep it holy.” Ex. 20:8

52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know – Faux Leather By Dave Adamson

13. Man or husband: אִישׁ (eesh)

אִישׁ (eesh) is the word for “man,” and the word for “woman” or “wife” is very similar – אִשָּׁה (ee-shah).

Example: “So Haman answered the king, “For a man (אִישׁ eesh) the king wants to honor…” Esther 6:7

14. House: בַּיִת (ba-yeet)

This word can be pronounced “ba-yeet” but is often pronounced “beth” as well. It’s the first part of a word you already know, Bethlehem – בֵּית לָחֶם, which means “house of bread.”

Example: “By wisdom a house (בַּיִת ba-yeet) is built, And by understanding it is established;” Prov. 24:3

15. People: עַם (ahm)

This can mean the plural for “person” or can also mean “a people” as in a nation or people group.

Example: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn; he refuses to let the people (הָעָם ha-ahm) go.” Ex. 7:14

16. He said: אָמַר (ah-mar)

Verbs in Hebrew are conjugated depending on the gender and number of people doing the action, just like in Spanish, Arabic, or any grammatically gendered languages. The vowel pointing in אָמַר is the most common form for a verb and is 3rd-person masculine singular meaning “he” performed the action. So אָמַר means literally “he said.”

When changing who’s doing the action, both the letters and vowel pointing change. When using the verb “to say,” we change it to “she said” like this אָמְרָה (ahm-rah) and to “they said” like this אָמְרוּ (ahm-roo).

In the Old Testament, “he said” often appears as “and he said” or “then he said,” which is וַיֹּאמֶר (vie-oh-mehr).

Example: “The king said (וַיֹּאמֶר vie-oh-mehr, literally “and said the king”)…” Esther 6:3

17. Word or thing: דָּבָר (dah-var)

This word can be translated a few different ways in addition to “word” and “thing.” It can also mean “speech,” “matter,” “anything,” “saying,” “utterance,” and other similar words or concepts.

Like other nouns, דָּבָר (dah-var) can be conjugated depending on whether it’s plural. דְּבָרִים (duh-var-eem) is the plural form of “words.”

Example: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word (דָּבָר dah-var) spoken in right circumstances” Prov. 25:11

18. He or it: הוּא (who)

My children always laugh about this one. “He” is pronounced “who” while “she” (הִיא) is pronounced, “he”.

Example: “He (הוּא who) shall build a house for My name…” 2 Sam. 7:1319.

19. To walk or he walked: הָלַךְ (hah-lock)

The word הָלַךְ (hah-lock) can mean “to walk” but also “go,” “come,” or “enter,” and is even used as the verb when Noah’s ark is floating on the water.

This word is another verb, so it may appear differently depending on who’s doing the walking. “She walked” is הָלְכָה (ha-leh-khah), and “they walked” is הָלְכוּ (hall-khoo).

Example: “…And the Lord helped David wherever he went (הָלַךְ hah-lock).” 2 Sam. 8:6

20. Son: בֵּן (beyn)

The plural form of בֵּן (beyn) is בָּנִים (ba-neem). On the other hand, daughter is similar – בַּת (bot), and its plural form is בָּנוֹת (ba-note).

Example: “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son (בֵּן beyn)…” Isaiah 7:14

If you’re interested in learning Hebrew, visit my resources page for various ways to learn. If you’d like to use the method of studying frequently used Biblical vocabulary words, Building Your Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary: Learning Words by Frequency and Cognate is a book by George Landes that is great for that. There are also numerous apps (both iOS and Android) that can be very helpful for studying this way.

How Do the Biblical Feast Days Point to Jesus?

Written by Holy Branches on October 21, 2025. Posted in Hanukkah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Sabbath, Shavuot, Sukkot, Yom Kippur. 5 Comments on How Do the Biblical Feast Days Point to Jesus?

You may have heard many Christians started observing the Biblical Feast Days. You may even have heard them claim these seven Feast Days point to Jesus as our Messiah. Since the connection between the commands to observe these days in Leviticus and our faith in Jesus as our Savior can be confusing, here’s an overview of these important days and how each relates to Jesus and, thus, to our faith.

I must add that salvation is not found in keeping the Feast Days or God’s commands. Salvation through works is a significant misconception about the Hebrew Roots Movement and the source of many people’s objection to Christians keeping The Holy Days or following the commands of the Torah. Salvation is found in Jesus alone and is based on the grace we’ve been given through Jesus’s sacrifice, not on our adherence to God’s laws (Eph. 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5). We follow His laws only out of love and respect for God and His commands and because His grace has saved us, not because the obedience itself will save us. On the other hand, although the laws don’t save us, we shouldn’t blatantly disregard the way God wants us to live. We should instead delight in His perfect laws (Psalm 1:2, 19:7, and 40:8)!

This article is a basic overview; the verses I give for each refer only to the command. All these observances are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as well. Click on the day’s name for a more in-depth explanation of how it relates to the Christian faith and can be celebrated in a Christian home.

Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts Expanded Edition: Discovering Their Significance to You as a Christian

The Sabbath (Lev. 23:3 and Ex. 20:8-11)

Known as “Shabbat” in Hebrew, this Feast Day occurs weekly. The Sabbath is a day to rest and to keep holy – that is, to focus on our God and Savior.

Jesus said that he is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:8 and Mark 2:28). In addition to revealing his divine nature in this verse, having been there at the creation of the universe, Jesus took part in the creation of the Sabbath when God first declared it (John 1:1-5, Gen. 1:26 and 2:3).

Jesus is our “Sabbath rest” (Hebrews 4). As believers, we can rest in our salvation and observe the Sabbath just as God did. We should strive to align our behavior with what God desires of us despite and because of our salvation. However, we can rest in the mercy and grace we’ve been given and approach God with no shame after repenting and turning from our sin.

Passover (Lev. 23:5 and Exodus 12)

“Pesach” in Hebrew, this Feast is a remembrance of the Passover and the resultant exodus from slavery in Egypt. During the Passover, the blood of the Passover Lamb on the doorposts of the Hebrew people saved them from the final plague of the death of the firstborn.

John the Baptist prophetically calls Jesus “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). After Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, Paul refers to him as “our Passover” (1 Cor. 5:7). What these two men realized is that the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb that saved the Hebrew people foreshadowed the sacrifice Jesus made that saves us today!

Jesus also tells us he’ll celebrate The Passover with us again someday (Mark 14:24-25 and Luke 22:15-16). Wow! What an exciting Feast to look forward to!

Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:6-8 and Exodus 12:15-20)

Also called “Chag HaMatzot,” this week-long Feast occurs during the week of Passover. It’s generally a time to remember the Passover further. Being in a hurry to leave Egypt when Pharaoh finally allowed them to, they didn’t have time to leaven their dough and had to cook and eat unleavened bread.

The command for this Feast is to remove all leaven (also called “chametz”) from one’s household and to eat none for seven days. “Leaven” or yeast is a biblical reference to sin or corruption. When something is described as “unleavened,” it’s pure or uncorrupted.

For example, when yeast is placed in bread, it spreads until it is in the entire batch. Think about people you know who have let a minor sin enter their lives; likewise, it spreads and spreads and sometimes ends up ruining lives. Think about a married man who friends an old girlfriend on social media and what damage this tiny action can lead to.

Jesus, our “bread of life,” was able to be the only atoning sacrifice for our sin because he was “unleavened” or uncorrupted by sin. Having adhered to the entire law (Torah), his perfection made his crucifixion the one-time blood sacrifice that could cover the sins of all mankind forever.

In 1 Cor. 5:6-7, Paul explains that a bit of leaven leavens the whole lump. Even if we lead perfect lives, we cannot achieve perfection, causing us not to be able to experience true communion with God. Having to clean out all the leaven in every nook and cranny of our homes reminds us that even the tiniest bits of sin left in the nooks and crannies of our hearts must be dealt with. If not, they will indeed “leaven the whole lump” and spread throughout our lives and those around us.

How blessed are we? Jesus has dealt with each crumb of leaven in our hearts so that we can approach God pure and “unleavened” as well!

First Fruits (Lev. 23:9-14)

Called “Yom Bikkurim” (the Day of First Fruits) or “Reshit Katzir” (beginning of the harvest) in Hebrew, this Feast Day is the dedication of the future harvest to God, which was demonstrated by waving a sheaf of green barley before God. It begins the 49-day countdown to The Feast of Weeks, the next Feast. The command also includes sacrificing a blemish-free male lamb as well. However, this part can only be done with the Temple.

Here’s another Feast Day that Paul sheds light on for us. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, he tells us that Jesus is the “first fruits” to both the dead and those “in Christ” when Jesus returns to Earth. Just as the First Fruits Feast offerings looked forward to the future harvest, so did Jesus’s resurrection. He came to save us and will raise the dead and rule the Earth when he returns! What a glorious day that will be!

Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15-21)

“Shavuot,” in Hebrew, means “weeks,” and is another name for this Feast. It’s more commonly known among Christians as Pentecost (which means “fifty”). It marks the 50th day after the original Passover, the day God gave His law (Torah) to His people on Mount Sinai. It’s called the Feast of Weeks because the counting was to be done in weeks. The command says to count seven Sabbaths (seven weeks) from the Day of First Fruits until this Feast.

Before his ascension into Heaven, 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus foretold what would happen on the day the apostles celebrated The Feast of Weeks. In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus tells them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit.

Sure enough, just as he said, the apostles were celebrating the Feast of Weeks ten days later, thanking God for giving His Word on Mount Sinai. During this celebration, they received the Word in their hearts just as was prophesied (Jer. 31:31-33 and Joel 2:28-29). While they thanked God for His Word, His Word entered their hearts as the Holy Spirit indwelt them.

Jesus said that he had to leave so that they could receive the Holy Spirit, and that’s precisely what happened. The Word was given on Mount Sinai, then lived among us, personified in Jesus, and then the Word was given to each believer personally through the Holy Spirit!

Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25)

A Shofar or Ram’s horn. A type of “trumpet” discussed in the Bible.

Commonly called Rosh Hashanah due to its designation as the first day of the Jewish New Year, this day is called Yom Teruah in the Hebrew Bible. The command says it is a Sabbath, and trumpets (or shofars – rams’ horns) are to be blown, along with a sacrifice brought to the Temple. Biblically, it’s not the New Year but is a method of numbering and counting the years.

Generally, the creation of the universe is celebrated, and it marks the beginning of the “Ten Days of Awe,” which continues over the year’s remaining Feast Days. This ten-day period is a time of introspection where each person evaluates their life, repents for sin, and resolves to live more according to God’s will.

HalleluYAH Yemenite kudu Shofar From Israel Plus Free Bonus Ram Horn

We must first understand the “Teruah” to fully understand this Feast. More than just the noise of a trumpet blast, this was the same call made by the priests when the wall of Jericho fell. It’s the one used when King David returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and it will be the one heard on “the Day of The Lord” (Zeph. 1:16). This type of trumpet blast (or even shouting) is like a call to war or a celebration of a victory of God or His people.

The Feast of Trumpets is when we anticipate Jesus’s return to Earth. Jesus gives a chilling explanation of this day in Matthew 24. He says that after the sun, moon, and stars are darkened, and the powers of the heavens are shaken (woah…), the trumpet call will bring his elect from the Earth’s four corners. “His elect”? That’s us, Christian Brothers and Sisters! And so we remember to blow our trumpets yearly on The Day of Trumpets. And in the meantime, we wait… And listen for the trumpets…

And in the meantime, we wait… And listen for the trumpets…

As we think of a new year beginning and prepare our hearts for Yom Kippur, we can focus on repentance and re-aligning our lives with God’s will. An honest and prayerful examination of our lives can highlight the sin we must deal with and the changes we must make.

This process will naturally bring us to a state of thankfulness for our Savior. We can repent, turn from our sin, and know that his unselfish sacrifice on the cross covers it.

Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:26-32)

Also called Yom Kippur (the Day of Coverings), this was the only day of the year that the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and make a sin sacrifice for God’s people. He was the only one who could stand between them and God to make atonement, and only on this day, according to specific procedures. Without the Temple to make these sacrifices today, the Jewish people see this as the day that God writes our names in the Book of Life or the Book of Death, depending on which we deserve.

As Christians, we see this day a bit differently, of course. While focusing on repentance, we can also celebrate and be grateful for the sacrifice that made atonement for our sin, Jesus. He is also our high priest (Heb. 4:14-15 and 8:1-6) and is therefore qualified to make atonement for our sins. Furthermore, if we profess Jesus as our Savior, we know that our names are already written in the Book of Life, so we can thank God for that!

Prophetically, we can also look forward to the day when Jesus returns as judge. Although one judgment was carried out when Jesus was crucified, there remains a Judgement Day for those who have rejected him. There are also a few places in the Bible (Matt. 12:36-37, 1 Cor. 3:13, and 2 Cor. 5:10) indicating that, as Christians, our actions will be judged as well (although not with gravity equal to those not in Christ). Because of this, we all must closely examine our actions and the fruit of our lives and further align with God’s will.

Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-36, 39-43)

This Feast is also referred to as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot (“booths” or “tabernacles” in Hebrew). It’s traditionally a time to remember God’s provisions for His people and His dwelling or “tabernacling” with His people. The command includes living in a temporary dwelling for the week.

Celebrating Biblical Feasts: In Your Home or Church By Martha Zimmerman

Many Christians use this time of the year to celebrate the time Jesus spent tabernacling with us, from birth to resurrection. Sukkot is a time to celebrate God’s dwelling with His people. Jesus was precisely that! He is God and came to Earth as a man to walk with us!

We can also thank God for His provision and blessings during this time. Yes, He gives us more than we need in a material sense, but He also does in a spiritual sense. Being the sinful people we all are, we’re separated from God and in dire need of a way to Him that we can’t provide ourselves. Although we’re undeserving of it, God chose to give us a second chance. He sent Jesus so we could approach God even though we were unworthy. That’s the best blessing of all!

Many places in the Bible foretell a time when God will dwell with us again. The Feast of Tabernacles is when we can look forward to the Wedding Feast in Revelation. Jesus—the groom—will finally be united with us, his people—his bride—and there will be a great, joyful Wedding Feast! What an event to behold! I can’t wait, can you?!

All these Feasts point to Jesus in powerful yet unique ways. Bringing these traditions into your Christian faith will provide reminders of the part we all have in God’s Kingdom and of our eternal Savior and what he’s done in the past, what he’s doing right now, and what he will do in the future. Celebrate Jesus throughout the year—on the Feast Days and every day!

How to Learn Hebrew if You’re Busy

Written by Holy Branches on October 21, 2025. Posted in Hebrew Language. 5 Comments on How to Learn Hebrew if You’re Busy

Learning the Hebrew language will be a significant benefit when you incorporate your Hebrew roots into your Christian faith, and here are the reasons I say that. The list of advantages of learning Hebrew is endless!

Most of us lead healthy and full lives, making it challenging to add learning a new language to our schedules. Hebrew is very different from English, and it can be intimidating to tackle because of that. For starters, the letters are different! It’s also a language with sounds we don’t even make when speaking English!

But English speakers can and do learn Hebrew, even if we have little time to spare. I have been increasing my knowledge of Hebrew over the last ten years while also managing a large family, raising little ones, and homeschooling. It’s tough, but it can be done, and here are a few things I’ve used that may help you.

Biblical Hebrew or Modern Hebrew?

When seeking to learn Hebrew, you’ll find two basic categories – Biblical and Modern Hebrew. Biblical focuses on the words and language used in the Bible, and Modern is the language spoken in Israel today. While both have significant benefits, deciding which of these to concentrate on will accelerate you toward your goals. Biblical Hebrew will aid in Bible study, which is the goal of most Christians when they set out to learn Hebrew. Focus on Biblical or Modern and target your studies in whichever area you choose.

Take Small Bites

Even when you’re very busy, you have a few minutes here and there in your day. Just like many things, daily discipline will lead to new habits. Studying even a small amount of Hebrew daily will keep it at the forefront of your mind and significantly increase your chances of remembering what you learn.

Make daily goals for yourself. For example, make a goal to practice your Hebrew flashcards daily or do one lesson from your Hebrew book daily. Discipline yourself to keep up with your goal in the same way you keep up with your Bible study or even your laundry. You’ll be impressed with the results over time!

Prioritize

Also, like other things in life, you’ll get out of it what you put into it. There are (and should be) many more important things in your day than learning Hebrew, but if it has no place in your life, you won’t progress in your understanding of it. Put studying Hebrew on your to-do list or plan it into your daily routine.

Many people say they don’t have time for things they want to do in life but spend plenty of time playing video games, watching TV, or browsing social media. These things aren’t negative in and of themselves, but they do tend to be time-suckers, activities that can absorb hours and take available time away from the more important and beneficial things in life. Make yourself study Hebrew for a certain amount of time or get a specific amount done before entertainment or social media, and you’ll find it easier to accomplish your Hebrew learning goals!

Use Apps

Since we all have our phones on us almost always, it’s convenient to use an app for at least the basics of the Hebrew language. Here are a few I’ve used. Most are free or of little cost.

Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary (Biblical Hebrew) – This free app covers the most commonly used words in the Old Testament. It’s simple and easy to use. It’s like having digital flashcards; you can even put the cards you need to review back in the “pile.”
Daily Dose of Hebrew (Biblical) – Here’s another free app with outstanding video lessons progressing from the very beginner level of Hebrew and advancing quickly, yet logically.
Rosetta Stone (Modern) – Access to this app comes with a paid online subscription. It uses the immersion method of teaching language and is very user-friendly.
Duolingo (Modern) – Another app using the immersion method is free and includes badges and rewards, which work well for motivating older children.
Drops (Modern) – This is a fun and free app with short (5-minute) daily lessons that cover essential Hebrew words.
Nemo Hebrew (Modern) – This free app teaches commonly used Hebrew words and phrases. The student chooses daily goals, and the app has reminders to help reach those goals.

Take a Course Online

I’ve learned so much and enjoyed taking courses through the Israel Institute. They offer classes in Biblical languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) and Biblical studies through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with degree and non-degree options. Their courses meet weekly online and have homework throughout the week. This class is more of a time commitment than other options, but it’s SO worth it! If you are busy, you must manage your time well to ensure you keep up. I do some homework daily to stay current on the lessons, even in my busy life.

There are also some excellent self-paced Biblical Hebrew courses available online from BibleInteract. They have Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, as well as many other courses such as Koine Greek and Hebraic Methods of Bible Study.

Attend a Synagogue

The Interlinear Bible: Hebrew-Greek-English (English, Hebrew and Greek Edition)

Each Messianic Synagogue I’ve been to has quite a bit of Hebrew speaking during the service and otherwise. Much of what you’ll hear there is repeated each week, so you’ll not only hear it spoken but also start to familiarize yourself with the words and their meanings, even if you don’t purposely set aside the time to do so. You almost can’t avoid learning some Hebrew if you hang around Messianic synagogues long enough!

Practice Reading the Bible in Hebrew

A great way to do this is with an interlinear translation. I have this one, which has a Hebrew Old Testament and a Greek New Testament. It’s a handy tool for both study and practice.

I recommend the Blue Letter Bible app for a more portable option, a resource I use almost daily. Having it on my phone makes it easy to quickly look up Hebrew and Greek words and read along with the Hebrew and Greek. After downloading the app, choose the “Manage Bible” option and pair the Hebrew Old Testament/Greek New Testament (WLC/WH) with your favorite English translation. Click on a verse or word for more study options.

Teach Someone Else

When I first learned Hebrew, I taught my older children what I was learning. As my level of Hebrew surpassed theirs, I continued to help them as they learned levels below mine. Teaching as I learned helped the basics to solidify in my mind, even as the material was quite primary. Teaching others also encourages me to keep up with my Hebrew. As they do their daily lessons, I am both reminded and inspired to keep up on my own.

Listen to Hebrew Speakers

While learning to read, write, and speak is essential to learning a new language, hearing it spoken is also necessary. You can read about pronouncing a word or forming a specific sound, but there’s no substitute for hearing a native Hebrew speaker speak.

Rosetta Stone incorporates this into their curriculum, but there are other ways to hear it. Search YouTube for people speaking in Hebrew or find a movie in Hebrew to watch. My children watch children’s shows, nursery rhymes, etc., in Hebrew, which helps us all in our studies!

Pray About It

The First Hebrew Primer: The Adult Beginner’s Path to Biblical Hebrew, Third Edition

Like everything in your life, especially if you’re learning Hebrew to aid your Bible study, bring it to God. Ask Him to show you where to make time for your Hebrew studies and what methods are available. Ask for the wisdom to retain and apply your knowledge to His glory.

Although it can seem daunting at first glance, learning the Hebrew language is achievable, even in our full and busy lives. It takes discipline and focus in the long term, but the rewards are great! Here’s the link to my Hebrew resources page for more. Get started today!

Here is a book I’ve used to study Biblical Hebrew. I like it because it starts at the very beginning level but has a logical progression through the steps necessary to achieve understanding quickly.

How to Celebrate a Messianic Sukkot with Your Children

Written by Holy Branches on October 7, 2025. Posted in Sukkot. 2 Comments on How to Celebrate a Messianic Sukkot with Your Children

As many families decide to observe the Biblical Holy Days in order to embrace the Hebrew roots of our faith, we look for ways to include our children so we can pass our faith on through them.

It seems that God had the kids in mind when He gave His people the commands for the Holy Days. Their multi-sensory celebrations serve as tangible reminders of what God has done in the past and will do in the future! Sukkot is a rich time for kids as we build and hang out in an outdoor enclosure – something children love to do any day!

What We Celebrate

Sukkot is a time to:

Thank God for His provisions – both material and spiritual.
Celebrate God “tabernacling” (dwelling) with His people.
Exercise our ability to bless others out of what God provides for us.
Remember the Israelites living in the desert after God rescued them from Egypt.

For a background on Sukkot in our faith as Christians, check out An Attitude of Gratitude: Sukkot for Christians.

Crafts for Sukkot

Crafts not only provide kids with a hands-on learning experience, and they also make lovely decorations for your sukkah! Here are some creative ways to get all ages involved.

Build a Mini Sukkah

Building an edible sukkah may be my kids’ favorite Sukkot activity. They talk about it all year! We use the instructions at the link above as a base, then get pretty crazy, adding candy, cilantro for the roof, you name it. We even molded furniture out of Starbursts one year!

Decorate Gourds

This idea from PJ Library uses the unique types of decorative gourds plentiful this time of year. Your kids could use googly eyes, paint, yarn, or whatever else you have around the house. The possibilities are endless!

Paper Chains

This one from the Chabad’s Kids’ Page is a classic but still ends up being one of our favorites! Combine them with these Sukkah Decoration Cut-outs for a great addition to your sukkah!

And while you’re cutting lots of paper strips for those chains, you may as well make some of these adorable Paper Strip Fruits out of them too!

Chinese Lanterns

We enjoy having these decorate our sukkah as well. This site has very simple instructions.

Fruit Balloons

These would be fun sukkah decorations! You could make them into a garland or hang them around your sukkah for a colorful touch. You could also follow these simple instructions from ReformJudaism.org for Free-Form Foil Fruit!

Citron Sun Catchers

A citron is a citrus fruit used during Sukkot, as mentioned in Leviticus 23:40 and Nehemiah 8:14-15. In Hebrew, it’s called an Etrog (אֶתְרוֹג, pronounced “eht-rōg”).

Books for Sukkot

There are great books for kids about Sukkot, but don’t forget to teach them from the Bible! Here are some verses about Sukkot to read together:

Exodus 34:22
Leviticus 23:34-44
Deuteronomy 16:13-17
1 Kings 8:2
2 Chronicles 8:13 and 31:3
Ezra 3:4
Nehemiah 8:13-18
Zechariah 14:16-19
John 1:14-18 and 7:2, 37-38
Revelation 7:9-10

Sammy Spider’s First Sukkot

Sammy is the star in many cute books as he learns about Jewish traditions and holidays. In this one, he learns about Sukkot from the roof of the Shapiro family’s sukkah.

Tikvah Means Hope

This heartwarming story is one of hope being found (both literally and figuratively!) in the devastating fire in Oakland, California, in 1991.

Educational Resources for Sukkot

Sukkot Movie

This movie is super cute and educational. Made by Bim Bam using Legos, it’s under 5 minutes, fitting for those short attention spans!

Bible Pathway Adventures Activity Book – The Fall Feasts

My children use many of the Bible Pathway Adventures Activity Books. They contain activities for a range of ages (6-12 years is stated, but some activities are suitable for younger ones as well).

YMTOI Parsha Pearls – Sukkot Edition

I’ve used Parsha Pearls for my kids to study the weekly Torah Portions; they’re a great resource! Their Feast Day editions are similar, with both fun and educational activities. Here’s a video of one of their Sukkot crafts, the Sukkah Hand Puppet.

Kid-friendly Sukkot Foods

Stuffed Peppers

Divina Dolmas Stuffed Grape Leaves, 7 Oz

Stuffed foods are popular at Sukkot as we’re blessed with a “stuffed” sukkah!

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas)

You can buy these at your local grocery store or make your own.

Tzimmes

Usually served on Rosh Hashanah, Tzimmes is a sweet dish, perfect for the fall season.

Challah Bread

No holiday meal is complete without challah bread. And children LOVE to help make it! For a fall twist, try this Pumpkin Challah recipe from Tori Avey. from Tori Avey.

Cheese Danish

Delicious for breakfast, dessert, or in between, this is one of my favorites. It’s easy enough to make that the kids can help, or older ones could even make it themselves!

Gyros

Gyros are another of my family’s favorites! Stuff the ingredients into pita bread and top with Tzatziki sauce (recipe included in the Gyro link above).

Whatever you choose to celebrate Sukkot with your children, don’t do what I sometimes do – get wrapped up in the activities and neglect the purpose! The celebration of Sukkot should introduce our children to a God who provides. As He provided for the Hebrew people in the desert, He provides for us, and He provided a Savior so we can be near to God despite our sin! What a beautiful reason to celebrate! Chag Sameach!

An Attitude of Gratitude: Sukkot for Christians

Written by Holy Branches on October 7, 2025. Posted in Sukkot, Traditions. 10 Comments on An Attitude of Gratitude: Sukkot for Christians

In a festival similar to Thanksgiving, the Biblical feast of Sukkot (pronounced sue-COAT) gives us a chance to focus on our blessings from God and His desire to be with His people. Also called the Feast of Booths, Tabernacles, or Ingathering, it’s one of the seven commanded feasts in Leviticus 23. Sukkot was also when Jesus revealed himself as the source of Living Water for those who believed in him! Also, the events that occur when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday are directly related to the festival of Sukkot. I promise, after understanding the festival of Sukkot, you will never look at Palm Sunday the same again.

The Command

In Leviticus 23, after the Israelites had been rescued from slavery in Egypt and as they began wandering in the desert, God specified 7 Holy Days His people were to keep annually. Along with Sukkot is Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah(Yom Teruah), and The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the Lord. On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the Lord; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work.
Lev. 23:33-36, (NASB)

‘On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’”
Lev. 23:39-43, (NASB)

A Joyful Holy Day

Sukkot is the last feast listed in Leviticus 23. Just five days after the very somber Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, it’s the most joyful of the biblical Holy Days. Part of its biblical command is that we’re supposed to “rejoice before the LORD .” Really though, with all He’s done for us, we should all welcome an excuse to be joyful before Him!

On the Biblical calendar, the 15th day of the month of Tishrei is when Sukkot starts, and it continues until Tishrei 22. On our Gregorian calendar, this is in September or October. Here’s a calendar of the dates of the Holy Days for reference.

Sukkot in the Old Testament

Sukkot is one of three festivals for which a pilgrimage to The Temple in Jerusalem was made, along with Passover and Shavuot.

Sukkot is called the Feast of Ingathering in Exodus 34:22. It occurs at the same time as the wheat harvest in Israel, so it’s the perfect timing for a harvest festival. The reason God gave for commanding the Israelites to celebrate Sukkot was for them to remember God’s provision and their dependence on Him.

“You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Lev. 23:42-43, (NASB)

In 1st Kings, King Solomon had the priests bring the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple during the Feast of Sukkot. How appropriate it is that this Ark, which represented and housed the presence of God, was brought into His Temple, the place He was to dwell with His people, during Sukkot!

Ezra and Nehemiah recount a time when the Temple was restored, and so was Israel’s adherence to the commands of God. Both books discuss the people returning to the Feast of Sukkot because of the Temple’s restoration and their commitment to follow God’s command.

Sukkot in the New Testament

In Jesus’s time, two practices were performed annually at the Temple during Sukkot.

One was a water ceremony, in which the priest would lead everyone to the pool of Siloam, fill a golden pitcher, and pour it out as a type of sacrifice in the courtyard of the Temple. People would then wave their palm branches (lulavot – more on this below) and shout, “Save now, I pray, oh LORD; oh LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.”

Jesus was in Jerusalem on Sukkot, fulfilling the command to celebrate this feast there (John 7:2). To an audience very familiar with this ceremony, Jesus chose Sukkot to foretell the pouring out of the water – the Spirit – on those who follow him!

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'”
John 7:37-38, (NASB)

In the other ceremony at the Temple during Sukkot, the people would wave the lulav (palm branch) and have a procession around the Temple, shouting “Hosannah” or “Please save us .” Sound familiar? We’ve all heard of when Jesus was on his way into Jerusalem before Passover during the week of his crucifixion, and the people did this. They waved palm branches because they recognized Jesus as the one who would save them. For over a thousand years, the Israelites had observed Sukkot and celebrated God’s provision when Jesus came along. Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem is recorded in 3 books – Matthew, Luke, and John. Although the people of Jerusalem knew Jesus was there to save them, they didn’t recognize that he would save them from the condemnation of their sin and that that was a more significant threat than the people in power around them who thought he was there to rescue them from.

Some propose that Jesus was born during Sukkot, which, if true, would mean he was conceived during Hanukkah. Though the bible doesn’t confirm this, it would enhance the concept that Jesus is God dwelling with us (John 1:14) since this is part of what we celebrate during Sukkot. It would also make sense that the Light of the World was conceived during Hanukkah, the festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple and the lighting of the Temple menorahs where God would dwell among His people.

Sukkot Today

Celebrated for seven days in Israel and eight outside, Sukkot is a harvest festival and a time to remember how God provided for the Israelites in the desert. God’s dwelling among His people is also celebrated during the week of Sukkot.

The procession mentioned above around the Temple is often replicated in Jewish congregations today. They wave the lulav and etrog (citron fruit) and shout, “Hosannah.” This practice is done at synagogues worldwide instead of a procession around the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Sukkah

The most common thing to do during Sukkot today is to build a Sukkah. The word “sukkah” is a Hebrew word meaning “booth” or “tabernacle.” It’s generally a small tent-like shelter with at least three sides and a roof made of plant material. It’s supposed to resemble the dwellings of the Israelites when they were living and wandering in the desert as newly free people of God. People often decorate their sukkah with artwork as well as the four species. And sukkah plural is… get ready for it… sukkot, which is where this appointed time got its name.

The command says that God’s people are to “live” in the sukkah during the week of Sukkot. Although some abandon their homes entirely during this time and live completely in a sukkah, most just have their meals there. Some people take the week of Sukkot to go camping, which is an excellent way to fulfill the commandment and re-live the lifestyle of the Israelite desert-dwellers.

A sukkah also reminds us that God chose to dwell – or tabernacle – with His people. We often read about it but seldom stop to let that sink in. The God that created the universe and is Himself the Holiest being that ever existed chose to dwell on earth with His people – physically and through Jesus’s life on earth! If that doesn’t give you chills, sit and think about it for a while. It’s incredible that He would choose to do this and that it actually occurred. What an awesome God we have!

The 4 Species

As mentioned in Leviticus 23:40 as well as Nehemiah 8:14-15, there are four species associated with Sukkot. The first is the lulav (plural is lulavot), a palm branch. The second, the etrog, is a lemon-like fruit also called a citron. The third is the aravot, a willow branch, and the last is Hadassah or myrtle. These four species represent Israel’s unity and the land’s harvest and fertility.

During Sukkot, these are waved or shaken in all six directions (North, South, East, West, up, and down), signifying that God is everywhere. A blessing accompanies this custom, thanking God for the harvest, and praises are also sung.

In the Future Kingdom of God

Many places in the bible tell us that there will be a day when God will physically dwell with us again. Ezekiel prophesies that God will dwell in His eternal sanctuary with us and make a covenant of peace with us.

Revelation 7:9-10 will give you goosebumps. It predicts a time when God’s people will stand before His throne, our lulavs in our hands, and worship him together. Wow! What a fantastic picture of the future we’re given!

The Eighth Day

Also known as Shemini Atzeret, this is the last of the commanded feasts in Leviticus 23. It’s celebrated the day after the last day of Sukkot, and this day is considered more spiritual than the previous seven days.

Traditions on the Eighth Day differ. The sukkah may or may not be used, and the four species are not waved. Different blessings are used on this day than the others commonly said during Sukkot.

A Christian Sukkot

Would you like to celebrate Sukkot? There are many traditions a Christian can keep that bring the concepts of Sukkot to the forefront. The basic commands are: gather the four species (Lev. 23:40), rejoice before the LORD (Lev. 23:40, Deut. 16:13-14), dwell in a sukkah (Lev. 23:42), and visit the Temple in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14-17, 34:18-23, Deut. 16:16-17).

Visit Jerusalem

Christians around the world visit Jerusalem during Sukkot. If you’re planning a trip to Israel, this may be something to consider! Other great (and very crowded) times are Passover and Shavuot.

Build a Sukkah

You can purchase ready-made sukkahs online, but you can also build a simple one, just like the Israelites did in the desert. Your children would probably love to help you decorate it! Some people camp out during Sukkot, their tent serving as their sukkah. Eating meals in the sukkah is customary, but sleeping in it adds a realistic element as we remember God’s provision for the Israelites in the desert.

Get a Lulav and Etrog

The phrase “lulav and etrog” may include all four species but is commonly called the lulav and etrog. You can order them online before Sukkot, but check that the delivery date is before Sukkot starts!

Thank God

Thank Him for how He has lavishly blessed you and for sending Jesus to dwell among us. We can also thank Him for His promise to dwell with us in the future, which we surely do not deserve! The list of things we can thank Him for could go on forever.

Spend Time in the Word

Ecclesiastes is commonly read during Sukkot, so that’s a great place to start! Some places to read about the Feast of Sukkot are:

Exodus 34:22
Leviticus 23:34-44
Deuteronomy 16:13-17
1 Kings 8:2
2 Chronicles 8:13 and 31:3
Ezra 3:4
Nehemiah 8:13-18
Zechariah 14:16-19
John 1:14-18 and 7:2, 37-38
Revelation 7:9-10

Sing Praises

We can not only thank God through prayer but also through our worship of Him. Any day’s a great day to worship God, but Sukkot should make us focused on being grateful. He loves to hear from His people, so don’t disappoint Him! Worship is what these days are set aside for.

Teach Your Children

All of the biblical feast days have valuable lessons in their observance. Sukkot is no exception, and children will love to be involved! Aside from participating in the building and decorating of the sukkah, here are a few more ways kids can learn about and participate in Sukkot.

Build an edible sukkah at toriavey.com
Learn about Sukkot (and the other Fall Feasts) with this activity book from Bible Pathway Adventures
Watch this fun and creative Lego Sukkot video

Bless Someone Else

As we thank God for His generosity toward us, we can also extend it to those around us. Find a place to serve or a charity to donate to, and make sure your family knows why you’re giving.

Invite friends

Sukkot is a time for celebrating God’s goodness. What better excuse could there be to throw a party? Invite some friends to hang out in your sukkah and make a special meal. You could even celebrate with only your family, but remember the focus of your celebration!

Wish others a “Chag Sameach!”

The standard greeting during Sukkot is “Chag Sameach!” meaning “joyful festival.” It’s pronounced HOG sa-may-ach, with the first part of “HOG” starting in your throat, like the ending of Bach. In the U.S., people often say “Happy Sukkot” as well.

Be joyful!

Although the celebration of Sukkot is commanded, it’s not something we should do with a “have to” attitude. Part of the command is to be joyful, and how could we not when we focus on all God has done for us? From shelter to Jesus, we are some super blessed people!

A Thanksgiving celebration of sorts, Sukkot is a time Christians can give thanks for God’s provision for us and focus on our dependence on Him. We can also remember that He loves us enough to desire to be with us, even giving us Jesus to provide a way for us to be near Him and the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times. What an excellent way to celebrate these things! Chag Sameach and Happy Sukkot!

Torah Portion Reading Schedule

Written by Holy Branches on October 1, 2025. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Torah Portion Reading Schedule

Study the Bible with the Holy Branches Torah Portion Reading Schedule! For information about studying the Torah portions, read Parashōt, The Original Bible Study!

Click here for your free printable Torah Portion Reading Schedule for 2025-2026 (5786)

Yom Kippur: Fasting for Christians

Written by Holy Branches on October 1, 2025. Posted in Traditions, Yom Kippur. 5 Comments on Yom Kippur: Fasting for Christians

Observing the Biblical Holy Days is a rich experience for Christians, and Yom Kippur is no exception. Most of us are familiar with the themes of atonement and repentance of this Feast Day.

But what about fasting? Traditionally, Yom Kippur is observed with a 25-hour fast. Do we have to fast to celebrate it? What are the benefits of fasting?

How is Fasting Related to Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. In the time of the Temple, it was a time to bring a sacrifice to atone for, or “cover,” sin. As Christians, we know that Jesus was the sacrifice that atoned for our sin once and for all! On Yom Kippur, we can both focus on repentance for sin and on our Savior, who took that sin upon himself on the cross.

The command for Yom Kippur in Leviticus 23:26-32 says to “humble your souls.” Humble can also be translated as “afflict.” While the Hebrew word used here could be translated a few different ways, all of them are unpleasant and uncomfortable, to the degree that even your soul is somehow involved in this significant discomfort.

So, while fasting isn’t directly commanded. It is an affliction that humbles and can even affect your soul. If you haven’t done it before, I’ll tell you – fasting is challenging! You have to set your mind against what your body desperately wants. It takes much discipline and is not much fun at all.

So that brings us to the question – why fast?

Benefits of Fasting for Christians

Despite how difficult and uncomfortable it is, there are significant benefits to our faith through fasting. While there are notable health benefits to fasting, that shouldn’t be the goal of a fast on Yom Kippur. The goal should be to achieve a state of humility and repentance, not to focus on the body but on the state of the heart.

It makes us want to cry out to God.

In our comfortable lives, we don’t often happen upon the times that make us desperately cry out to God. This lack of need is a blessing, of course, but it also keeps us in a state where we may not come before God in a weakened, humble state of need. Fasting removes one of the comforts we take for granted, and we can turn each hunger pang into a reminder to go before God in humble prayer.

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)

It can improve our relationship with God.

As we respond to our hunger with prayer, we open a conversation that may have previously been one-sided, brief, inconsistent, or non-existent. The feeling of an empty stomach is a constant reminder of why we’re fasting and brings our focus back to God. Twenty-five hours of turning our attention toward Him humbly makes us better listeners. It can remove what was previously in the way of hearing what God wants to say to us so we can listen to Him more clearly.

It reminds us who our provider is.

Since most of us don’t regularly go without food or other necessities, we can forget where it comes from or credit ourselves with providing it. Fasting brings to mind just how blessed we are to have the option to eat when we’re hungry. God provides above and beyond what we need, and denying ourselves for a while puts that in perspective. Fasting is a humbling reminder that we come before a mighty God who always has our lives in His hands.

It brings out our spiritual side.

Throughout each day of our lives, we tend to our physical needs and wants. We bathe, rest, brush our teeth, apply lotions, etc. But an entire day of fasting causes us to turn on the physical and focus on the spiritual. One wise Jewish source said that we become like angels for a day since they don’t have physical needs like eating. Our stomachs tell us we need food, but we quiet them, acknowledging that we need God more.

Fasting on Yom Kippur can cause us to shift our focus from ourselves and our physical needs to our God and Savior. This Holy Day allows us to take a break from everyday life to humble ourselves before our great Provider. We use that time to repent of our sin and express gratitude for a Savior sacrificed to pay for it.

If you plan to observe Yom Kippur this year, check out the Holy Branches Calendar for the correct dates.

Atonement and Repentance: Why Celebrate Yom Kippur?

Written by Holy Branches on October 1, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Traditions, Yom Kippur. 5 Comments on Atonement and Repentance: Why Celebrate Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is considered a primarily Jewish holiday and is even called the Holiest Holy Day of the year on the Hebrew calendar! Yet the number of Christians celebrating Yom Kippur (the day of atonement for sin) is growing. What does this biblical Holy Day have to do with the Christian faith?

Through our Biblical roots, Christians can bring the Biblical Holy Days into their faith and make these traditions their own. We can further follow our Rabbi Jesus and enrich our faith by obeying the Biblical commands of his Father, which he obeyed, including the observance of Yom Kippur.

A Biblical Holy Day

In Leviticus 23, commands for observing seven Feast Days are listed. This list is also found in Numbers 29:7-11.

”The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord. You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God. If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath.’”
Lev. 23:26-32 (NASB)

Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts Expanded Edition: Discovering Their Significance to You as a Christian By Richard Booker

Yom Kippur is to be observed on the 10th day of the month of Tishrei on the Biblical calendar. Biblical days are from evening to evening instead of morning to morning (Gen. 1:5), so Yom Kippur starts on the evening of the 9th day of Tishrei. It occurs in September or October on our Gregorian calendar. It comes ten days after Rosh Hashanah (Yom Teruah in Hebrew). The ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur are called the Days of Awe.

Called Yom HaKippurim (literally, the day of coverings, cancelings, pardonings, or reconcilings) in Hebrew, the command includes a holy convocation, humbling or afflicting the soul, offering sacrifices, and taking the day as a Sabbath. In the Old Testament, it was the one time of the year when the high priest offered a sacrifice to atone for his sin and that of the people of Israel. You can find the detailed procedure for this in Leviticus 16.

Blood Sacrifice

Throughout the Bible, it’s clear that all sin separates us from God and leads to death. A blood sacrifice is the only way to pardon or atone for our sin.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”
Lev. 17:11 (NASB)

^“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
Heb. 9:22 (NASB)

These verses show just how vital this Day of Atonement was in the days before Jesus! Yom Kippur was the only day the priest could offer this type of sacrifice and the only time throughout the year that the Israelites could have their sins forgiven on a corporate level.

Yom Kippur Observation Today

Orthodox Jews consider the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur a time of judgment. The belief is that on Rosh Hashanah, God writes the names of the righteous in the Book of Life, and those that are evil are listed in the Book of Death. Whether or not one’s name will be recorded in the Book of Life can be affected by their actions during this 10-day period.

On this somber day, referred to as a Great Sabbath or High Sabbath, Jewish people practice a 25-hour fast. They also attend synagogue services where specific prayers are said and scriptures are read. They focus on repentance for sin from God and others and examine their life to see where changes need to be made to move toward righteousness.

A Christian Yom Kippur?

As Christians, we have accepted the gift of Jesus as the single, eternal sacrifice that atones for our sin. Because of this, we no longer need to seek atonement as individuals. Instead of making Yom Kippur irrelevant to us, this makes this Holy Day even more meaningful!

On Yom Kippur, we can celebrate because our sins have been atoned for once and for all by Jesus. Yom Kippur also moves us to sadness because there are still those who have not yet turned to him. We should have remorse over our sin and repent it in our lives and communities. Though these are emotions we should have continually as Christians, a day set aside helps us focus on these and discuss them with God and our families.

Celebration and Repentance

What does a focus on sin, atonement, and repentance look like for a Christian family? Here are some things to include in your Yom Kippur to bring out the meaning and weave its concepts into your family’s legacy.

1. Pray

Set aside time to spend with God – alone and as a family. Thank Him for the gift of Jesus and the forgiveness, deliverance, and salvation we have because of his sacrifice. Confess sin in your life and community and commit to turning from it to a better, Godlier path.

Hand-carved Bethlehem Olive Wood Pair of Candlesticks Candle Holders (7.5 Inches)

2. Humble your Soul

This humbling is usually done in the form of fasting. The Bible doesn’t specifically say to fast on this day, though. Some people practice this humbling or affliction by giving something up, like time or money, instead. Be sure to use whatever you choose only to bring yourself closer to God. Remember when Jesus rebuked those who used fasting as an outward action instead of a way to get their heart focused on God (Matt. 6:16-18)? What they were doing wasn’t honoring God, and neither is anything else we do in His name that brings attention to ourselves and not glory to Him.

If you plan to fast, pray whenever you experience hunger pangs. The Bible often positively pairs fasting with praying, so do them together and, in doing so, bring blessing into your life and glory to God.

Plan for a large meal on the evening of Yom Kippur so that everyone doesn’t start the fast hungry and has some calories to work off of for the next 25 hours. Make the meal that will break the fast ahead of time so it’s ready when the fast is over. I’m guessing that no one in your house will be in the mood to labor over a meal that evening, and everyone will want something to eat as soon as possible!

3. Forgive and seek forgiveness

Colossians 3:13 says that we must forgive others as we have been forgiven. Make this day the day you leave behind that grudge or bitterness you’ve been hanging on to, and let the healing begin in that relationship. On that same note, be honest with yourself about who you may need to ask for forgiveness. Decide to honor God on Yom Kippur by putting your pride aside, humbling yourself, and admitting where you wronged someone else. I do know how difficult this is! Read James 4:6-10 for encouragement.

4. Hear what God has to say to you

Spend some time in God’s word on this Sabbath day. Here are some scriptures to read and meditate on to get you in the right mindset for Yom Kippur.

Leviticus 16, 17:10-13, and 23:26-32

What About the Sacrifices: A Messianic Perspective on Messiah and the Purpose of the Levitical Sacrifices By D. Thomas Lancaster

Numbers 29:7-11

Jonah (the whole book – it’s short!)

Isaiah 53 and 58:1-12

Matthew 6:14-15 and 6:16-18

Romans 3:9-26 and 6:20-23

Colossians 1:13-23 and 3:12-17

Hebrews 4-10

James 4:6-10

5. Make it a holy convocation

A convocation is an assembly or gathering. For it to be holy, it needs to be set apart to God. For the Israelites, this meant gathering as a nation before God. Here are a few things you could do to incorporate a holy convocation into your observation of Yom Kippur.

Find your nearest Messianic Jewish congregation and visit. The UMJC and the Messianic Covenant are some great places to start to find the one closest to you. Also, check out How to Find a Hebraic Congregation.
Gather together with fellow believers. Plan and discuss Yom Kippur with your believing friends. If they’re interested, invite them over and read scriptures, pray, and fellowship together.

Aligning With God’s Appointed Times: Discover the Prophetic and Spiritual Meaning of the Biblical Holidays By Jason Sobel

Gather as a family. Have everyone stop their daily activities and come together to focus on the reason for this Holy Day. Talk about the concepts of Yom Kippur – sin, atonement, salvation, repentance, and forgiveness. Open up and be real with each other about where you are in your spiritual walk. Read scripture and pray together as a family.

6. Wear White

Wearing white on Yom Kippur is an outward expression of our acknowledgment of and gratefulness for the purity we receive through the forgiveness of our sins. It serves as both a reminder and an object lesson throughout the day, especially for children!

More and more Christians are celebrating Yom Kippur because, through it, we can focus on repentance – our own and that of our community – and thank God for providing us a way to atone for our sins through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Isaiah 53:6 says that Jesus took all our sins onto himself. Wow. We are so undeserving yet SO loved, Brothers and Sisters!

What’s the Difference Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah?

Written by Holy Branches on September 16, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Rosh Hashanah. 6 Comments on What’s the Difference Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah?

As Christians who seek to incorporate the Hebrew roots of our faith into our lives, we often have a lot to learn about the Holy Days and how they relate to our faith. Although they occur at the same time of year, there are some significant differences between the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah celebrations.

The Calendar

While Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of a year, the beginning of the cycle of months starts in the month of Aviv (also called Nisan). For example, this year is the year 5780, so this Rosh Hashanah will bring the first of the year 5781.

But the cycle of months, including the Holy Days, starts in the Spring, just 14 days before Passover. That can be unclear since those of us who have followed the Gregorian calendar all our lives are used to a new year and our cycle of months occurring simultaneously, but here’s some background on how that came about.

Perhaps most well-known as the Jewish New Year, the words Rosh Hashanah mean “the head of the year” (rosh = head, ha = the, shanah = year). It’s the first day of the calendar year and is celebrated on the first day of the seventh month of Tishrei.

But in Exodus 12:2, God said that the first month begins fourteen days before Passover, which is in the month of Aviv (Nisan). In the command for the observation of Yom Teruah (also called Rosh Hashanah today) in Leviticus 23:24, it’s to be celebrated on the first day of the seventh month, which makes it not the first month of the year but more than halfway through it. It’s the first month as far as the monthly calendar goes. The Bible doesn’t specifically mention the start of a new year in the command for this or any Holy Day.

The discrepancy is due to Jewish leaders adhering to Babylonian traditions. In developing the Hebrew calendar, Jewish leaders chose Rosh Hashanah as the beginning of the year for counting purposes. The Jerusalem Talmud says that even the names of the months on the Hebrew calendar came from Babylonia (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1b, 56d).

A New Year Celebration

Because many celebrate Rosh Hashanah as the beginning of a new year, the focus is on new beginnings and the year ahead. Pomegranates and apples dipped in honey are eaten on Rosh Hashanah to celebrate God’s provision and the sweet new year ahead. Some have a Taslikh ceremony, tossing bread into running water, symbolizing the casting off of sin for the new year.

A Day of Remembrance

Yom Teruah, as it’s called in Numbers 29:1, also known as the Feast of Trumpets, is commanded in Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6. The only specifics given in the command for observation of this Holy Day are that we’re to rest, have a holy convocation, make a teruah, and offer sacrifices at the Temple. The Bible also said we’re to be reminded, but it doesn’t specify what we should remember.

Although it’s most commonly translated as “blowing trumpets,” the word teruah is used in the Bible when a loud noise is made. It can be shouting or blowing trumpets (shofars). A teruah was made when God brought down the Wall of Jericho, and one will be the sound we hear when Jesus returns!

Without a Temple, we observe this day by remembering all God has done for us. We also look forward to Jesus coming and blow shofars to remind us of all God has done for His people and rehearse, looking forward to what it will be like when Jesus returns. Some even believe that Yom Teruah will be the day of the year Jesus comes back to earth.

The Ten Days of Repentance

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah sets off the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, known as the High Holy Days or the Ten Days of Repentance. It’s believed that during these ten days, God takes account of each person’s actions and decides whose name is written in the Book of Life. Jewish people take this time to repent of their sins and do good deeds, hoping they’ll be added to the Book and spared from destruction.

Rosh HaShanah and The Messianic Kingdom To Come By Joseph Good

As Christians, we believe that our faith in Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for our sin is what allows us to have our names written in the Book of Life; however, we can also use these ten days to reflect on our lives, repent of the many things each of us has done that is against the commands of our God, and re-align our lives with what He wants of us.

Both Rosh Hashanah, the start of a new year, and Yom Teruah, the day to remember and blow trumpets, have themes that can help Christians refocus and remember God’s blessings and provision and the return of our Savior. What a beautiful way to start fresh and look forward to the fulfillment of prophecy in our Bible! L’Shana Tova!

If you’re planning a celebration for Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Teruah this year, check out 10 Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah Traditions for Christians for some ideas!