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.

Rosh Hashanah: Celebrating New Beginnings

Written by Holy Branches on September 16, 2025. Posted in Rosh Hashanah, Traditions. 3 Comments on Rosh Hashanah: Celebrating New Beginnings

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More commonly known as the Jewish New Year, this Holy Day is not just a New Year’s Day but much more. It’s based on one of the seven commanded Feasts in Leviticus 23 and is also a time of repentance and proclamation of God as the king of the universe.

The Command

After the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and received the commandments on stone tablets at the foot of Mount Sinai, they were instructed to build the Tabernacle. After its construction, God detailed how the Israelites were to perform sacrifices and offerings there, as well as other Tabernacle functions. After this instruction, God commands seven specific religious feasts and festivals. The Day of Trumpets is the fifth mentioned in the list of feast days and is a two-day festival that marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in Autumn.

Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’” Lev. 23:23-25 (NASB)

A 7 Day Journey: Insight into the Biblical Feasts

Although commonly thought to be the same as Rosh Hashanah today, this day went by other names in the bible. “Rosh” means “head” in Hebrew, and “Hashanah” means “the year,” so the modern name Rosh Hashanah is more literally “the head of the year.”

Biblically, it’s called Yom Teruah (Num. 29:1), which can mean “Day of Trumpets” or “Day of Shouting .” This trumpet blowing or shouting wasn’t just random noise. The same type of shouting and trumpet-blowing brought down the wall of Jericho. It is more like a war cry or a victorious, joyful display.

The “trumpets” blown were ram’s horns, otherwise known as shofars. They are still used in this and other traditions today. Their sound is unique and fascinating, as is their appearance. Many Christians own one for use during Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah and other events.

A New Year

Rosh Hashanah is the New Year for the purpose of counting years. For example, on Rosh Hashanah 2019, the year, as far as the Hebrew calendar goes, will change from 5779 to 5780. This concept is not biblical but has been agreed upon for counting purposes.

It’s similar to the New Year celebration in America in that it’s considered a day to turn from our old ways and begin anew. Jews also view it as a type of Judgement Day, where God examines His people starting on Rosh Hashanah and over the next ten days. The final verdict of this judgment would then be delivered on the Day of Atonement, ten days later.

The Book of Life

Another thing celebrated on Rosh Hashanah is that our names have been written in the Book of Life. Traditionally, orthodox Jews believe that between Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement, God weighs their actions and decides whether to blot their name from the Book of Life or leave it there throughout the following year.

While Christians view God’s judgment differently, we know that scripture states that the names of the righteous are in the Book of Life and have been there since before creation (Rev. 13:8 and 17:8). It also warns of what will happen to those whose names are not found there and those whose names are blotted out of it (Rev. 3:5, 17:8, 20:15, and Ps. 69:28).

Rosh Hashanah for Christians

If our beliefs about judgment differ and we don’t follow the Jewish calendar, how is Rosh Hashanah relevant to the Christian faith?

The names of the righteous are those written in the Book of Life. Is that us? Are you righteous? Me neither! But we have Jesus! And if you, like me, have accepted him as the one able to bear and pay the price for the sin that made you unrighteous, then you appear before God as righteous as Jesus, who was perfect! So, yes, our names are in the Book, and that’s worthy of celebration!

As a celebration of God being the creator of the universe, we can be excited to participate. Even as Gentiles, Christians desire to give praise and glory to God as the creator and our judge. Our response to His judgment is our repentance and recognition of Jesus as our savior. We can celebrate God’s judgment because we know Jesus’s perfect sacrifice saves us.

The Awesomeness of Trumpet Sounds

As Christians, the sound of the trumpet should remind us of the prophetic promises we’ve been given – of Jesus’s return and the rising of the dead in the last days.

“…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:52 (NASB)

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16-17 (NASB)

Throughout the bible, there are some awesome things associated with trumpet sounds! Whether bad or good, the meanings and stories behind trumpet sounds all point to God’s supernatural glory! God should have the full attention of His people when the topic of trumpet sounds comes up. Big things are about to happen!

Casting Sin Off

One meaningful Jewish Rosh Hashanah custom that I love symbolizes atonement for sin. Called Tashlikh, from the Hebrew word “to cast,” it includes throwing bread into a flowing body of water. The bread represents our sin, and its destruction and removal by the water are reminiscent of the following verse.

“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in unchanging love.
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19 (NASB)

As Christians, we could benefit from a tangible reminder of how our sins have been cast off, forgiven, and taken away, leaving room for growth and renewal. This tradition would help concretize this concept in the minds of Christian believers and even more for our children.

The Binding of Isaac

Another tradition is reading and discussing the “binding of Isaac” at Rosh Hashanah. Remember that story? In his old age, God told Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited only son on an altar; the son prophesied to give Abraham numerous descendants. Out of obedience to God, Abraham obeys and starts the process of the sacrifice. Before Abe kills Isaac, God intervenes and provides a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22).

So, they celebrate God’s provision of a substitute for the required sacrifice of Isaac. Sound familiar? It should remind Christians of the substitute provided for us in Jesus when our sin required death as punishment. Wow!

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah in a Christian Home

Christians have so many things to celebrate on Rosh Hashanah. How do we put that into action? There are many ways, but here are just a few to get you started.

Jamie Geller Raw Wildflower Honey Glass Jar 10 oz. From Israel

Eat apples dipped in honey and pomegranates.
- This tradition encourages us to look forward to a sweet and blessed new year. Pomegranates symbolize righteousness, blessings, or the inner self, visible only to God.
Find a flowing water body and throw bread into it.
- Discuss how our sin has been paid for and removed by our Savior and Messiah as we confess it to him and put our faith in his ability to atone for it.
Blow a shofar.
- Since most Christian homes don’t already own one and they can be expensive, here is a possible option. It even comes with a guide for help on how to use it. I also found a shofar sound app for my phone in a pinch once, but it’s no substitute for the real thing!
Rest.
- The Leviticus command for Rosh Hashanah says it is to be a Sabbath. Prepare food ahead of time, make certain household chores are out of the way, and fill the days with family and time with God.
Attend a service at your local Messianic Fellowship.
- There are a growing number of both Messianic Jewish and Hebrew Roots Christian congregations around the U.S. Find one in your area and be prepared to worship and learn in a way you may have never experienced before!
Read scriptures relevant to the subjects covered in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah. Here are some that I suggest, but there are so many others!
- Genesis 1:1-2:3 and 22
- Leviticus 23
- Psalm 32 and 139:23-24
- Micah 7:7-20
- Isaiah 53
- Jeremiah 31:27-40
- Matt. 26:26-29
- Luke 24
- Acts 2 and 3:19-21
- 1 Cor. 11:26
- 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and 5
- Hebrews 9
- James 5:7-11
- 1 John 1:5-10
- Rev. 22
Spend time in prayer.
- Confess sin and thank God for His forgiveness and promises – both fulfilled and yet to be. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 and be open to the things that come to mind that God wants you to change in your life.
Serve a round loaf of challah bread.
- Straight loaves are eaten for the rest of the year, but a round loaf can signify the cyclic nature of the concept of a new year and crown. The crown is to celebrate God’s kingship over the universe. Need a recipe? Here’s the one I use, and here’s how to braid round challah.

Here’s the link to my printable calendar so you’ll know when to celebrate!

Holidays for Christians to Observe in Honor of Their Hebraic Roots

Written by Holy Branches on August 20, 2025. Posted in Hanukkah, Hebraic Roots, Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, Shavuot, Sukkot, Traditions, Yom Kippur. 1 Comment on Holidays for Christians to Observe in Honor of Their Hebraic Roots

If you’re just here for the free printable calendar, get yours here!

The celebration of Passover has become more common among Christians in recent years. This celebration is so beneficial because Passover has many elements that point to our Messiah and highlight the greatness of our God and His love for us!

But did you know other holidays celebrate our God and Savior while honoring the Jewish history of our faith? Some of them are Biblical, and others are traditionally Jewish in our culture but also have implications for us as Gentile believers.

Adding these significant days to your family’s legacy can enrich and deepen your faith and help you pass it on to your children and others. It can even bring you and your family closer to God and Jesus as we learn more about them through observation of these meaningful times.

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

Here are some that are the most directly connected to the practice of our faith as Christians, especially as it relates to our Jewish roots.

Purim (פּוּרִים)

Purim is the celebration of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people through Queen Esther. A man named Haman was plotting their destruction, but Esther bravely approached the king and revealed her identity as a Jew to encourage him to save her people. He did and had Haman executed instead.

As Christians, we’re familiar with persecution and how God orchestrates historical events that affect His people. We can celebrate that Esther was in the place she was because God knew what the need for her to be there would be and made her an instrument for His plan.

Purim is a fun celebration. Both children and adults dress as characters from the story and act it out in dramatic fashion. It is held on the 14th day of Adar on the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to February or March on our Gregorian calendar.

Passover (פֶסַח- Pesach)

This celebration commemorates God’s rescuing the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians. Its relevance to Christians is very basically two-fold. Firstly, since we are also God’s people, we have a part in this history, and secondly, we have been rescued from the slavery of our sin by the blood of Jesus.

Biblically, Passover is to be celebrated on the “fourteenth day of the first month.” On the Hebrew calendar, it starts on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, which corresponds with our Gregorian calendar, which is sometime in March or April.

Holocaust Remembrance Day (יוֹם הַשׁוֹאָה – Yom HaShoah)

This somber observance was established in 1953. It’s a national holiday in Israel to remember the Holocaust in Europe during World War II and the murder of over six million Jewish people, including children. This remembrance occurs on the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, during March or April.

Why should Gentile (non-Jew) Christians observe Holocaust Remembrance Day? Romans 1:16 tells us that salvation came first to the Jew and then to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). Christians are the Gentile believers that are “grafted in” to the promises to God’s people described in Romans 11.

Throughout the Old Testament, God clarifies that the Jewish people are His chosen people. He made a covenant with Abraham concerning their lineage throughout history and brought the Savior to the world through the Jewish line. God also says that He will never abandon the Jewish people.

If the Jewish people are this important to God and are the roots of the tree we’re grafted into; we must be concerned with their well-being in our day and throughout history. The tragedy that struck as the Holocaust brutally and senselessly extinguished the lives of so many people precious to God (Jews and others) must never be forgotten, and its horrors never repeated.

Pentecost and Shavuot (שָׁבוּעוֺת)

I combine these two celebrations because they’re similar in meaning and history. Before the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire and inhabited the Apostles in Acts 2, this time was known as Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks.

It was commanded in Leviticus 23 and was a type of harvest festival that was to occur 50 days after the Passover. Also recognized on this date is the gift of God’s Laws being given to His people on Mt. Sinai. Shavuot is what the Apostles were celebrating when they were “gathered” when God’s Spirit was given to them.

They would have realized the significance of the gift of God’s Spirit being given specifically on this day during a celebration of the gift of God’s Word being given as well. Jesus also foretold it when he said they’d be baptized by the Spirit in Acts 1:4-5.

The command says it is to take place on the 6th and 7th of the month of Sivan. It is to be observed 50 days (or 7 Sabbaths and one day) after the Day of Firstfruits during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (when the Passover and Exodus from Egypt occurred).

Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשִּׁנִה)

This holiday is commonly known as the Jewish New Year and is called Yom Teruah in the Bible. It was designated the first day of the new year primarily for year-counting purposes, but it’s also one of the commanded Feasts in Leviticus 23. It was a two-day festival during which trumpets (shofars) were blown and sacrifices were performed.

Today, it marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in Autumn. It’s a time when people examine their lives, seek to rid them of their old, sinful ways, and make a change for the better. In this way, it’s a lot like the American New Year, but it’s also a type of Judgment Day or the beginning of a season of judgment for the Jewish people.

Christians can remember on Rosh Hashanah that we will be judged with Jesus as our substitute. We can also examine our lives and see whether we’re living in a way that expresses the joy of this salvation. The command to blow a trumpet on this day should cause us to look forward to the day when Jesus has returned and the dead are raised (1 Cor. 15:52).

The Feast of Trumpets occurs on the 1st and 2nd days of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and in September or October on the Gregorian calendar.

Day of Atonement (יוֹם כִּיפּוּר – Yom Kippur)

This Holy Day is another of the commanded Feasts in Leviticus 23. It’s observed ten days after Rosh Hashanah and is a day of confession and repentance. Biblically, it was a day when sacrifices were offered for the people’s sins. As Christians, this is a day we can celebrate the mercy we have been given in having our sins fully atoned for by Jesus!

The date is the 10th of Tishrei, which occurs in September or October.

Feast of Tabernacles (סֻכּוֺת- Sukkot)

Another Holy Day from Leviticus 23, Sukkot, is a seven-day celebration, five days after the Day of Atonement. Also known as the Feast of Booths, it is a time when people leave the comfort of their homes and live in temporary shelters.

This celebration serves to appreciate God’s provision for us and to celebrate God being among His people on earth. Christians can be even more thankful at the time of Sukkot for Jesus, who, as God, came down to earth to be with us.

Eighth Day (שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת – Shimini Atzeret)

This day is the day just following the last day of Sukkot. It’s on the 22^nd day of Tishrei, which falls in September or October. It is the final commanded Feast in the List in Leviticus 23.

It’s a day to remain with God and rest in His provision, even after the previous seven have been focused on Him. This day is more spiritual and considered greater than the 7 of Sukkot. A formal prayer for rain is often said, and it’s said to be a time to store the memories of what God has provided in our hearts.

Simchat Torah (שִׂמְחַת תּוֺרָה)

This celebration is not in the Bible but is a great way to thank and praise God for giving us His Word! It’s held on the 22nd day of Tishrei and is also known as “rejoicing in the Torah.”

Jews and Christians enjoy the immense blessing through the words and commands God Gave us in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and the rest of His Word. Simchat Torah’s joyful celebration marks the end of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. When celebrated in a synagogue, there is dancing and singing, and it’s a beautiful time of worship.

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

Hanukkah (הֲנֻכָּה)

Although not a commanded Holy Day, Jesus celebrates it in the Book of John. It commemorates the dedication of the rebuilt temple after the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple.

The story of Hanukkah is miraculous. The Jewish people were vastly outnumbered as they decided to fight against the destruction of their people and culture and the blasphemy of God. God was with them as they fought, and they were victorious!

Celebrated from the 25th of Kislev to the 2nd or 3rd day of Tevet on the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah falls in late November or December.

Christians can celebrate God’s power displayed in His people and the victory over persecution. We are also interested in this day as we can see Jesus having shown up in Jerusalem for its celebration, translated as the Feast of Dedication. At this time, Jesus said that his sheep would never perish and that no one could snatch them out of his or His Father’s hand.

Here’s a calendar of the dates of these important days. Print out the free PDF version to keep handy in planning for these days.

Having a Jewish calendar to see what holidays are approaching and plan for them is helpful. Many are out there, but I like the First Fruits of Zion calendar best!

I hope observing these holidays brings you joy, deepens your Christian faith, and provides yet another way to pass your faith on in your family’s legacy, as they have for my family. I’ll continue to post ways for Christian families to observe these meaningful days on the Hebrew Roots Mom website, so stay tuned!

Torah for Christians: Unlocking the Bible

Written by Holy Branches on August 20, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebraic Roots. No Comments on Torah for Christians: Unlocking the Bible

Of the 66 books of the Bible, why do Hebraic Believers focus so heavily on the Torah – the first five books of the Bible? What about Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy makes people study them over and over each year (or more!)? Is the rest of the Bible less important? Aren’t we missing out on a lot by studying these five books?

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

I had these questions when I first started practicing a Hebraic Roots type of faith. I noticed that many focused much of their study of the Bible on the first five books. I’d previously been in many different kinds of Bible studies on various topics and books of the Bible, and I couldn’t help but think I would be missing out on so much by repeating study after study on the first part of the Bible.

However, after a few months of studying the Bible through the weekly Torah portion, I realized why studying the Torah is so important for Christians. Here are a few reasons.

The Torah is the Root of the Bible

Tom Bradford (of Seed of Abraham Ministries’ Torah Class) once said that studying the New Testament without a solid understanding of the Old Testament is like walking into a movie halfway through and trying to make sense of it. The Torah sets the foundation for the rest of the Bible and provides a filter through which we should interpret the rest of the Bible.

When interpreting verses, we often look to the New Testament to see what a verse or concept means and how to apply it. But this is backward. When a verse from the New Testament requires clarification, we should instead look to the first place where that concept was addressed and begin our interpretation there.

For example, look at Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-31, where Jesus answered a question about the greatest commandments. We may conclude that he was telling his followers to ignore all the other commandments in the Torah and “love God and love people”. But those familiar with the Torah recognize that he’s instead pointing his audience back to the most important commands given in the Torah, found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

When we take Jesus’s words in light of the Torah, we see that he’s not only enforcing the commands given in the Torah but also telling us that all of the commands, if followed, will lead to a proper love for God and people.

This quote from Jesus is just one example, but there are so many! Try this: The next time you’re studying a concept or verse in the New Testament, delve into what it says about it in the Old Testament. Spend some time digging and include the original Hebrew of the Old Testament in your search. Blue Letter Bible is an excellent resource for this. I guarantee Bible study done in this way will deepen your understanding of the entire Bible and your faith!

The Bible’s Authors Speak Highly of the Torah

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 [“Torah” in Hebrew] of the Lord,
And in His law [“Torah”, again] he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

And here’s another example:

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 Timothy 3:16-17

Here, Paul refers to “Scripture” in the New Testament. Since the New Testament wasn’t yet written, we know he was only referring to the Old Testament. And, with some exceptions, the Torah is part of the Old Testament containing material for “reproof,” “correction,” and “training in righteousness.”

The above verses are a couple of examples, but there are many places in the Bible where the Torah is held in high regard. Psalm 119, Proverbs 4:2 and 6:20-23, Luke 11:28, and James 1:22-25 are just a few more. As Believers who base our faith on the truth of Scripture, we should likewise “delight” in the Torah.

Much of the New Testament is Quoted From the Old Testament

There are hundreds of direct quotes from the Old Testament in the New Testament and thousands of references to the Old in the New. Since many of these come from the Bible’s first five books, studying the Torah will reveal so much about both the New Testament and our Savior!

If you’d like to find out where the Old Testament is referenced in the New, this is another aspect of Bible study that Blue Letter Bible will significantly help you with. The footnotes may have some of these valuable cross-references depending on your Bible. The Scriptures Bible has quoted phrases from the Old Testament in bold print. Whatever tools you use to find out where the Old Testament is referenced, look into them and see where your studies lead to put some oomph in your Bible study!

Jesus Taught from The Torah

Of the references to the Torah in the New Testament, those from Jesus himself are the most interesting. Above, I referred to when Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as the two greatest commandments. Here are a couple more:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-19

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:27

The Pauline Paradox: What Did Paul Teach About the Law of God?

“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.
Luke 16:16-17

Our Savior upheld the authority of the Torah. As his followers, we should place the same importance on it. Here are more incidents of Jesus quoting the Torah.

Jesus’s Followers Practiced a Torah-Based Faith

After Jesus ascended into heaven, his followers on earth practiced their faith based on how the Torah said to practice it. Here are some situations in which the apostles adhere to the Torah post-Jesus.

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

Paul circumcises Timothy (Acts 16:3).
Paul supported the stoning of Stephen because Stephen was reported to have been preaching against the Torah (Acts 6:11-14). But Stephen was falsely accused.
The Jerusalem Council determined Gentiles new to the faith needed to adhere to some of the commands in the Torah (Acts 15).
Paul is then falsely accused of preaching against the Torah (Acts 18:12-13).
Paul takes a Nazarite vow from Numbers 6:1-21 (Acts 18:18).
Paul kept the Feast Days from Leviticus 23 (Acts 18:20-21).
Paul was arrested twice when accused of teaching against the Torah but said in Acts 24:14 that he didn’t preach anything other than the Torah. He then helps 4 others take the Nazarite vow (Acts 21:18-24 and 21:27-28).
Paul appeals to the Torah, accuses Ananias of breaking it, and then apologizes for mistakenly breaking it in speaking out against Ananias (Acts 23:3-5).
Paul says he believes all that was laid down by the Law and Prophets (Acts 24:13-14).
Paul says he didn’t do anything against the Law of the Jews (Acts 25:8).
Paul says he didn’t do anything against the customs of his people (Acts 28:17).
Paul tried to convince them from the Law and the Prophets (Acts 28:23).

For more on the faith of the apostles, check out The Pauline Paradox by 119 Ministries. It’s an eye-opening explanation of Pauline scripture, interpreted within the context of the entire Bible!

It Shows Us the Temple and Sacrifices

When the New Testament references the Temple, the priests, and the sacrifices to teach us about Jesus, it’s helpful to know what those were and their functions to understand what’s being said. Here’s an example.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.
Matthew 27:50-51

How would we know the function and the placement of the veil, let alone what that has to do with Jesus’s death, without a knowledge of God’s description of the Temple in Exodus 26? The more solid our Old Testament understanding, the more we get out of the references to it in the New Testament.

For a more thorough understanding of the sacrifices, I recommend the book What About the Sacrifices by John Lancaster at First Fruits of Zion.

It Teaches Grace and Salvation

The concepts of grace and salvation are introduced in many situations in the Torah. God showed grace to Adam and Eve when he spared their lives and banished them from the Garden of Eden. Those who were with Noah in the ark were saved through faith in God’s warning of destruction to come. God saved His people from slavery in Egypt when He sent plagues that eventually resulted in their freedom.

The examples go on and on in the stories of the Torah most Christians know. Before we even reach the New Testament, we’ve studied so many stories showing us how much grace and salvation are a part of God’s character!

It Teaches the Importance of Obedience to God

From the very beginning of the Torah, we see how disobeying God can have devastating consequences. When God said not to eat the fruit in Genesis 2, He meant that. We don’t have a record of Him explaining the whys of this command or laying out precisely what “eating the fruit” meant. He just said it, and they were expected to obey because God knew what was best for them, and they were expected to trust Him. We know the rest of the story – they didn’t, and the consequences were so severe they continue to affect us today!

Interestingly, that’s how many of God’s commands throughout the Bible are. He gives them and expects us to trust Him and obey them, even if they seem irrelevant or don’t make sense to us. This story in the Garden of Eden is just one, but many in the Torah teach the importance of obeying God’s commands.

Although often translated as “law,” the word “Torah” in Hebrew would be better translated as “instruction” or “teaching.” Instead of merely showing us where we go wrong, the Torah teaches us how to live God’s way – the way that’s best for us because our Creator chose it!

We Learn from God’s Calendar

A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts By David Wilber

Perhaps the most obvious explanation of God’s calendar comes from Leviticus 23, where God commands the Holy Days to be observed. He says which days to observe and exactly when they’re to be observed. Leviticus 23:4 says: “‘These are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim the times appointed for them” and then lists them with explanations.

The Holy Days or appointed times (Moedim in Hebrew) in Leviticus 23 are:

But this calendar was established well before Leviticus. It was in Genesis during creation that God put bodies in the sky for the purpose of allowing His people to follow His calendar.

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 appointed times and for days and years”
Genesis 1:14

Interestingly, God set His calendar in the beginning, at creation, but what’s even more interesting is that He tends to ensure that the pivotal events in history correspond with His calendar and have meaning through that.

For example, Jesus died on Passover and rose again on the Feast of First Fruits! This indicates that he is indeed our Passover Lamb and is the First Fruits of those with eternal life!

On Shavuot, the Hebrew people received the Torah at Mount Sinai. Then, in Acts 2, when the apostles were celebrating Shavuot, God chose that day to send His Holy Spirit – the Torah written on their hearts! Isn’t that mind-blowing?!

I’ve heard Christians describe the Old Testament as irrelevant in this day and age, but this is so far from the truth! The Torah reveals to us the character of the God of the Bible, the identity of our Savior, and even gives us pointers on how to live as God’s people here on earth.

Interested in studying the whole Bible through a study of the Torah? Chances are, Torah Club has a group near you! Find a Club in your area here!

The Hebrew Calendar Explained

Written by Holy Branches on August 14, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebraic Roots. 5 Comments on The Hebrew Calendar Explained

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.

** Free printable Calendar of Important Dates from Hebrew Roots Mom! **

2024-2025 Dwell in The Land – Messianic Calendar from Israel featuring Scenic Photos of Israel, 16-Months Sept 2024-Dec 2025

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).
Nisan 17: Haman is hung (Est. 7).

Under the Fig Tree: Messianic Thought Through the Hebrew Calendar

Iyar/Ziv (The Second Month)

Iyar 1: Construction of the 2nd Temple begins (Ezra 3:8).
Iyar 2: Construction of the 1st Temple begins (1 Kgs. 6:1, 2 Chr. 3:1-2).
Iyar 20: The Hebrew people leave Mt. Sinai (Num. 10:11-13).
Iyar 27: Noah and his family exited the ark (Gen 8:14-19).

Sivan (The Third Month)

Sivan 6-7: Shavuot, the Torah is given to the Hebrew people at Mount Sinai, and the Holy Spirit is given. (Lev. 23:15-22, Ex. 19:16-25, Acts 2).
Sivan 23: Decree is made, saying the Jews are allowed to defend themselves (Est. 8:9-13).

Tammuz (The Fourth Month)

Tammuz 5: Ezekiel received his vision (Eze. 1).
Tammuz 9: Jerusalem captured by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 30:1-3, 2 Kgs. 25:1-7).

Av (The Fifth Month)

Av 1: Death of Aaron (Num. 33:38).
Av 9: First and second Temples destroyed (Jer. 52:6-11, Historical sources only for 2nd Temple. Not recorded in the Bible).
Av 10: First Temple set on fire by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:12-13).

Elul (The Sixth Month)

Elul 24: Rebuilding of 2nd Temple resumed (Hag. 1:14-15).
Elul 25: Jerusalem’s walls rebuilt (Neh. 6:15).

Tishrei (The Seventh Month)

Tishrei 1: Temple offerings resume, Yom Teruah (Ezra 3:6, Lev. 23:23-25, Num. 29:1-6).
Tishrei 2: Sukkot is celebrated when priests, Levites, and heads of households gather to study the Torah (Neh. 8:13-18).
Tishrei 8: The dedication ceremony for the 1st Temple starts, and the Ark is brought into the Temple (1 Kgs. 8:2-11).
Tishrei 10: Yom Kippur (Lev. 23:26-32, Num. 29:7-11)
Tishrei 15-22: Sukkot (Lev. 23:33-43, Num. 29:12-40, Deut. 16:13-17).
Tishrei 21: Jesus said he is the living water (Jn. 7:37-39).

Cheshvan/Bul (The Eighth Month)

This month, the first Temple building was finished (1 Kgs. 6:38).
Cheshvan 15: King Jeroboam’s Feast was instituted (1 Kgs. 32-33).

Kislev (The Ninth Month)

Kislev 4: Zechariah receives prophecy (Zech. 7).
Kislev 20: Ezra calls Israel out for their sin (Ezra 10:9-12).
Kislev 24: Haggai receives two prophecies (Hag. 2:10, 20).
Kislev 25-Tevet 3: Hanukkah, Jesus in the Temple portico – “I and the Father are one” (John 10:22-42).

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

Tevet (The Tenth Month)

Tevet 1: Esther crowned queen (Est. 2:16-17).

Shevat (The Eleventh Month)

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.
Psalm 33:11

** Free printable Calendar of Important Dates from Hebrew Roots Mom! **

The New Moon of the Bible: Answers for Christians

Written by Holy Branches on August 14, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 2 Comments on The New Moon of the Bible: Answers for Christians

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!

HalleluYAH Original Kosher Half-Polished Kudu Shofar From Israel | Include Velvet Bag, Clean Brush and Shofar Guide

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!

The Biblical New Moon: A Beginner’s Guide for Celebrating (BEKY Books)

How Does a Christian Observe the New Moons?

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!

You’re Not Alone: The Growing Hebraic Christian Faith

Written by Holy Branches on August 14, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 2 Comments on You’re Not Alone: The Growing Hebraic Christian Faith

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!

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.

Internet Search

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.

Hebrew For Christians

Hebrew Roots of Christianity

119 Ministries

Hebraic Roots Network

Shopping

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.

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Imitation Leather Tan/Brown Cover, NRSB

For more info on finding a community for you and your family, check out How to Find a Hebrew Roots Congregation.

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!

Havdalah: Separation Between the Holy and the Common

Written by Holy Branches on July 30, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Sabbath. No Comments on Havdalah: Separation Between the Holy and the Common

I’ve previously written about the importance of the Sabbath (Shabbat) and how to observe it. We light candles and say blessings to set the Sabbath apart from all other days.

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 Dreidel Company Havdalah Candle Handcrafted Blue & White Paraffin Wax, Shabbat Candle, Shabbat Judaica Gift (2-Pack)

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.

Click here for a printable Step-by-Step Havdalah Guide

The Blessing Over the Wine

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)

In Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱֹלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Transliteration of the Hebrew:

Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, bo-rei pe-ri ha-ga-fen. (Response: “Amen”)

The Blessing Over the Spices

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.

Havdalah Set Metal Covered with Enamel – Slate Blue/Grey – includes Matching Kiddush Cup Goblet and Tray, Havdualah Candle Holder, Besamim Spice Box – End of Shabbat Gift Set by Zion Judaica

In English:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, creator of different types of spices.

(Response: Amen)

In Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱֹלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִם

Transliteration of the Hebrew:

Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, bo-rei mee-nei ve-sah-meem.

(Response: “Amen”)

The Blessing Over the Havdalah Candle

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.

(Response: Amen)

In Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱֹלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ

Transliteration of the Hebrew:

Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, bo-rei meh-or-ee ha-esh.

(Response: “Amen”)

The Blessing of Separation

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)

In Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱֹלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קדֶשׁ לְחוֹל

, בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹשֶׁך, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָאַםִּים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְׁבִיעִי לְשֶׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַםַּעֲשֶׂה

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קדֶשׁ לְחוֹל

Transliteration of the Hebrew:

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!

Click here for a printable Step-by-Step Havdalah Guide

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!

Is the Sabbath Really THAT Important to God?

Written by Holy Branches on July 30, 2025. Posted in Sabbath, Traditions. 9 Comments on Is the Sabbath Really THAT Important to God?

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.

The Command

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Ex. 20:8 (NASB)

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.
Ex. 31:14-15 (NASB)

“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.
Ex. 35:2 (NASB)

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.

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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.
Ez 20:12 (NASB)

Sanctify My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
Ez. 20:20 (NASB)

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 Sabbath Isn’t Just for Jewish People

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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.
Ex. 20:10 (NASB)

but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.
Lev. 25:4 (NASB)

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.

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your Life

Consult God.

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!

That Time Jesus Quoted the Torah

Written by Holy Branches on July 29, 2025. Posted in Bible Study. No Comments on That Time Jesus Quoted the Torah

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)

Shema Yisrael Hear O Israel Necklace Pendant

Jesus and the Torah

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.

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“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.

If you’re interested in learning more about Jesus’s ministry, you’ll enjoy Lois Tverberg’s book Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus.