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.

What DO We Do on the Sabbath?

Written by Holy Branches on July 8, 2025. Posted in Sabbath, Traditions. 27 Comments on What DO We Do on the Sabbath?

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What does keeping the Sabbath look like? The fourth commandment is clear, and numerous other places throughout the Bible make it evident that God finds observation of the Sabbath something all His people should do. Keeping the Sabbath means, in part, refraining from work on that day. We are to refrain from our vocation as well as other work.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”
Exodus 20:8-11, (NASB)

What we’re not supposed to do on the Sabbath is clear, but what isn’t exactly clear is what we DO on that day. When we don’t work, do we just lay around and watch TV all day? Should we take a vacation? Run errands? Go to church?

There are several places we can look to find these answers. We can read the Bible and determine what Sabbath observance should look like. For practical application, we can learn from Orthodox Jews, who have been observing the Sabbath since Old Testament times. Learning from both leads to a more solid understanding of many Biblical customs, and the Sabbath is one of them.

What does a Jewish Sabbath look like?

They observe the Sabbath on Saturday.

When God commands that the Sabbath should occur on the seventh day, the Jews take Him at His word and keep the Sabbath to the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Jewish days start around sundown, so the Sabbath is from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

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

They rest.

They take the command not to work as a declaration of their freedom from slavery, as slaves don’t usually get days off. When God freed them from slavery to the Egyptians, he took them as His people, establishing His covenant with them. The sign of this covenant is the Sabbath (Ex. 31:16 and Lev. 24:8).

They attend synagogue services.

They attend services as a family on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, or both.

They study God’s word.

The Torah is read during Friday evening and Saturday morning services. Orthodox Jews also study Torah as a family on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

They spend time with family.

The Sabbath is a leisurely affair, with taking walks, playing games, and hanging out together making up much of the day. They have meals together, with blessings for the food, the Sabbath, and each other.

There’s a definite beginning and end.

They light two candles when it begins, indicating that the family should remember and observe the Sabbath. A small ceremony called Havdalah marks its end, separating it from the other days of the week.

What the Sabbath Looks Like at My House

My family has adopted many of these customs to our Sabbath. When we first began, it wasn’t easy to implement. Not working on Saturdays was difficult, but once I figured it out, having a day of free time was a welcome change! We gradually changed our focus to fill our Sabbath with bible study, family time, and rest.

Keeping the Sabbath has been such a blessing to my family. Our culture is nonstop. While this allows us to be very productive, many American Christians struggle to find time for what they claim are the most important aspects of their lives—their family and faith. True Sabbath observation helps properly align our priorities. When done correctly, the Sabbath becomes a day in one’s schedule where the top priorities stay on top—every week, every year, for generations.

Here are a few things my family does on the Sabbath:

Bible study (individual and as a family)
Attend synagogue
Watch live streams from Beth Yeshua International or Founded in Truth Ministries
Have special meals together
Light candles to mark the beginning of the Sabbath
Say specific blessings like this one, this one, and this one, which is my favorite!
Eat challah bread
Take naps
Sleep in
Hike or take a walk in nature
Go swimming
Eat simple snacks and meals that we prepared in advance
Have a family outing, such as going to the zoo or botanical gardens
Wish each other and others a “Shabbat Shalom!” or peaceful Sabbath

Our Friday evenings are getting more organized as Sabbath observation becomes routine. Each family member has specific roles on the Sabbath and looks forward to participating.

Shabbat Prep

Although we have activities and school that day, Friday is Preparation Day. We spend most of the day preparing for the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew), the day’s focus. Without Preparation Day, preparing everything for a peaceful Sabbath is tough.

Each child (over 5) receives a Shabbat Prep Checklist on Friday morning. Their schoolwork, daily activities, and the chores they’re responsible for are on it. They have chores such as cleaning their rooms, selecting clothes for the next day, showering, and cleaning bathrooms. Doing these things on Friday allows for an evening and the following day, free to relax and enjoy family time.

My Shabbat Prep Checklist includes making meals for that evening and the next day, making challah bread, laying out clothing for the younger children and myself, cleaning the house, finishing laundry, and other tasks. I also ensure the table is set for our Sabbath meal and the necessary items are out (candles, candleholders, challah cover, decorative platters, etc.).

Here are the type of candles we usually use and a pretty cover for the challah bread similar to the one below.

EMANUEL Yair Silk Embroidered Challah Cover for Shabbat and Yom Tov -19.5 x 15.5 Inch

Welcoming the Sabbath

TLV Holy Scriptures: Thinline Edition (Leatherette)

We light our Sabbath candles and say blessings around dinnertime. Usually, this is done just after sunset at the start of the Sabbath, a job commonly reserved for the woman of the house. My oldest daughter says the prayer after I light the candles. She covers her head with a headscarf to say the blessing, which is a sign of respect for God.

Click here for a Step-by-Step guide to welcoming the Sabbath!

After the blessing over the candles, my husband blesses the children and me. The blessings are our favorite part of the Sabbath! My kids wait expectantly for their turn to be blessed. It’s touching when my husband says Proverbs 31, a blessing over me. There’s so much value in my kids watching him do this week after week! You can find out more about the blessings here and here.

After this, my husband says a prayer, and we eat. My husband usually has a subject to discuss related to the Sabbath, that week’s parsha, or just life in general. I try to choose a family favorite for the Friday evening meal to avoid any struggles over the little ones eating their dinner! Afterward, we always watch a movie as a family, complete with popcorn.

During the Day

On Saturday mornings, we either attend our Messianic Jewish Synagogue or do something recreational as a family. Saturday mornings are usually slower than mornings of other days, allowing time for bible study and rest. The Sabbath afternoon is often more leisurely than others, with naps and more study time being common activities.

We have an evening meal, then clean up after our restful day. We even include a Havdalah ceremony to mark the end of our Sabbaths.

Although our Sabbaths are free of work, we have plenty to do on Saturdays – the most important things! With the week’s work out of the way, we fill the day with much-needed rest, study of God’s word, and family time. What used to be an extra workday or a day to catch up on chores and household projects has become our most treasured day of the week. The best part is that keeping the Sabbath shows we’re in a covenant with the God of the universe, and we’re His people! What a marvelous blessing!

How to Find a Hebraic Congregation

Written by Holy Branches on July 8, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 22 Comments on How to Find a Hebraic Congregation

Once a Christian is convicted of making changes to their faith and proceed on the journey of incorporating their Hebraic Roots into how they practice their faith, they often need to find a different type of community to support them in that. Although it can be challenging, many find that they need to seek a congregation that believes and practices similarly.

Going down the river in two canoes

My rabbi described this point in life as going down the river in two canoes – one foot in each. All goes well until you come to a rock. Then you have to choose which canoe to stay in to continue down the river.

Like many in this position, I once had my feet in two canoes. But issues came up that were difficult to resolve – holidays, Bible versions, how and what to teach children, whether to make diet changes, etc. and I had to decide which canoe my family and I were going to stay in on our journey down the river of our faith.

When a rock is approaching

While it’s growing quickly, the Hebraic or Messianic faith is still less represented than other traditional Christian faiths. I’ve been contacted by Believers all over the world who have reached the point where they can’t figure out where they belong. Congregations that lean more toward a Hebraic faith can be difficult to find but in less about 10 years (the amount of time I’ve been searching for resources in this area), The number of congregations has grown significantly!

So, if you’re one of those in two canoes, watching a “rock” approach, and feeling like you need to get into one canoe or the other, this post is for you! I’ll share some ways I’ve discovered to find a Hebraic faith community, and perhaps one of these ideas will help you find your own.

Use Online Directories

A few organizations have recognized the problem of finding a congregation and created online directories of Hebraic/Messianic Jewish congregations. Not all are listed on these, but they’re a great place to start!

Plug into a Bible Study

Torah Club is a deep, in-person Bible study that restores the Jewishness of Jesus and the Bible. There’s a good chance there’s a group near you! Find a Club in your area here!

Use a search engine

Of course, you can also use your favorite search engine or mapping program to find a congregation. Search terms such as “Messianic Jewish” or “Yeshua” will be helpful.

Another place to look is on social media. Some smaller congregations may not have a website or be listed in a directory, but they may have a Facebook page, a MeWe group, or an Instagram profile. Use the terms above and include the name of your city to help dig up congregations not found elsewhere.

None in your area?

If you’ve searched online and can’t find a community in your area, don’t be discouraged! You’re not alone; you just haven’t found your people yet. Keep searching! But in the meantime, participate online with congregations that live-stream or record their services. There are many of these, and, like live congregations, the number is growing!

Christian Canvas Wall Art Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Shema Canvas Print Positive Painting Religious Home Wall Church Decor Framed Gift 12×15 Inch

Podcasts and Bible teachings

Torah Class – podcasts and Bible studies
119 Ministries – podcasts and teachings

New to the Hebraic/Messianic faith? Find out What to Expect at a Messianic Synagogue here!

I’ll continue to update this post with congregational resources I find. If you know of any not listed here, add them in the comments! Let’s do all we can to connect our fellow believers in Yeshua, our Messiah!

The Names of God: Elohim, the Mighty One

Written by Holy Branches on July 8, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. 5 Comments on The Names of God: Elohim, the Mighty One

There are so many names for God in the Bible. Among them are יהוה (translated LORD in most English translations, Adonai, Elohim, and more. But His names aren’t just there so we know what to call Him. In Hebrew culture, names meant a lot more than that. They described personality traits or even of the purpose of someone’s life.

The significance of names is the same with God. It’s through His many names that we can discover His characteristics and get to know who He really is! Some of His names were ways He named Himself, while others were given to Him by His people. Like many things we learn from the Bible, we discover many of God’s attributes through His interactions with the people in the Bible and the names they gave Him.

This article will cover the name Elohim and those related to it. If you’re interested in even more names of God, here are other articles in this series you may enjoy.

The Names of God: Revealing God’s Personality Traits

The Names of God: יהוה, the God of Israel

The Names of God: Adonai, Our Lord and Master

Find the free printable PDF Names of God Chart here!

If you’re new to the Hebrew language, it may be helpful to start with my posts on the Hebrew Alphabet and the Hebrew Vowels.

Elohim אֱלֹהִים

Plural for Eloah (אֱלֹוהַ ) and from the word El (אֵל), this is the first name of God given in the Bible in Genesis 1:1, just before God created the universe. This name implies God’s mighty nature. Elah (אֱלָהּ), a name meaning “awesome One” is an Aramaic word found in many places throughout the Old Testament, Daniel 2:18, for example.

Like יהוה, Elohim is often attached to other words to expose additional aspects of God’s character. In English translations of the Bible, Elohim is translated as “God”. It doesn’t just refer to our God but also to angels and gods in general, although it’s not capitalized in this case to indicate that. For example, it’s the word used in Exodus 20, verse 3, in the command, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

As I said above, Elohim is a plural form. But why is the plural form used when referring to God? Well, the Bible doesn’t directly explain it, but we do have a few clues. First, it’s not uncommon in Hebrew for something we think of as singular to be found in the plural form. Some examples are “water,” which is mayim (מַיִם), and “face,” which is panim (פָּנִים). Some say Elohim in the plural form refers to the Trinity, while others say that it’s a form of royal “we,” or an “honorific plural” used by or in reference to those of great importance and power.

Elohai, meaning “my God,” can be found where Ruth stays with Naomi in Ruth 1:16, when she says, “Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” It’s used in many places throughout the Old Testament and was used by Jesus when he quoted David (Ps. 22:1) before his death on the cross by saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Just as Elohai changes Elohim to make it “my God,” Eloheinu is “our God.”

El Shaddai אֵל שַׁדַּי

God gave this name to Himself in Genesis 17:1 when establishing His covenant with Abram. El Shaddai means “all-sufficient God”. The word Shaddai is also used by itself in Numbers 24:4, commonly translated as “Almighty.”

El Echad אֵל אֶֽחָד

His Names are Wonderful: Getting to Know God Through His Hebrew Names

Echad means “one” in Hebrew so this name means “one God” as in Malachi 2:10. It also reminds us of The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4 “our God is one”!

El Hanneman אֵל הַֽנֶּאֱמָן

Also in Deuteronomy, this name means “the faithful God” and is used in chapter 7, verse 9 in a warning to the Hebrew people not to turn from their faithful God.

El Tzaddik אֵל צַדִּיק

God gives Himself this name through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 45:21. It means “righteous God.”

El Elyon אֵל עֶלְיֹון

Meaning “most high God,” El Elyon is what King David called God in Psalm 9 when thanking Him for His perfect justice. Elyon can also be found alone, as in Numbers 24:16, where Baalam praises God in prophecy after Balak has tried to convince him to curse Israel.

El Elim אֵל אֵלִים

This name is used in Daniel 11:36. It shows, while others may have many gods, ours is the one who’s above them all!

El De’ot אֵל דֵּעֹות

Hannah gives God this name, meaning “God of knowledge,” in a prayer of thanksgiving for her much-awaited son, Samuel (1 Sam. 2:3). The fear (reverence) of God is described as the beginning of knowledge in Proverbs 1:7, so we can know that He’s the source of all the knowledge we need!

El Haggadol אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים

When addressing the Hebrew people, Moses gives God this name, meaning “the great God” (Deut. 10:17).

El HaKevod אֵל הַכָּבֹוד

“The God of glory” is what this name means. It’s found in Psalm 29, verse 3, where David beautifully describes our awesome God, as he does so often throughout the Psalms.

El HaKadosh אֵל הַקָּדֹושׁ

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

In a description of God’s justice, this name, meaning “the holy God,” is given in Isaiah 5:16. There is no one holier than God, making His the only perfect and right judgment.

El HaShamayim אֵל הַשָּׁמָיִם

Meaning “the God of the heavens,” comes from Psalm 136 (verse 26), a Psalm of praise and thankfulness to God for His goodness and blessings to Israel.

El Olam אֵל עֹולָם

This name means “everlasting God” and can be found in Genesis 21:33, just after Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech. Our God is everlasting! He has no beginning and no end! Isn’t that amazing?

El Roi אֵל רֳאִי

In Genesis 16:13, Hagar gave God this name when she found out she was pregnant with Ishmael. It means God who sees”. Because of her life circumstances, it didn’t seem like God saw her, but He did, just like He sees all of us, even when we don’t feel like it!

El Yeshurun אֵל יְשֻׁרוּן

Yeshurun (also translated as “Jeshurun”) means “Israel” or “righteous people,” so this name means “God of Israel”.

El Yisrael אֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל

Just as El Yeshurun and as mentioned in a Psalm of David (Psalm 68:36), this name means “God of Israel”.

El Channun אֵל חַנּוּן

Jonah gave this name to God in Jonah 4:2 in a complaint to Him. It means “gracious God.”

El Rachum אֵל רַחוּם

From a message to the Hebrew people from Moses, this name means “God of compassion” and is found in Deuteronomy 4:31.

El Yashuati אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי

Related to the name Yeshua (Jesus), this name means “God of my salvation” and is found in Isaiah 12:2. The phrase “God of our salvation” is El Yeshatenu (אֵל יְשׁוּעָתֵנוּ), from Psalm 68:19.

El Kanno אֵל קַנֹּוא

In Joshua 24:19, God is described as “kana”, which can be translated as either “jealous” or “zealous”. This aspect of God’s character is better understood when compared it to a marriage relationship. It’s similar to a man being jealous for his wife. He wants her to himself and doesn’t like to share. This jealousy is how God is with us. He wants to be our only God and doesn’t want to share!

El Hannorah אֵל הַנּוֹרָא

God is described in Nehemiah 9:32 as “the awesome God”. There’s no more accurate statement than that! He is indeed the most awesome there is!

El Chaiyai אֵל חַיָּי

This name, from Psalm 42:8, means “God of my life”. Is He the God of your life? If so, you know the peace that can bring! Closely related is Elohim Chai (אֱלֹהִים חַי), “living God”.

El Ghmulot אֵל גְּמֻלוֹת

In Jeremiah 51:56, Jeremiah refers to God using this name to warn that God will bring Babylon to justice for their treatment of His people. This name is translated as “the LORD is a God of recompense” or “the LORD is a God of retribution.”

Immanu El עִמָּנוּ אֵל

This name is one we’re all familiar with. Commonly translated “Immanuel,” “God with us” in Isaiah 7:14 points forward to when Jesus came to earth, and humans experienced God with them in the form of a man.

Elohim Emet אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת

While discussing idolatry, Jeremiah distinguishes our God as the “true God” with this name, found in Jeremiah 10:10. El Emet (אֵל אֱמֶת) has the same meaning and is also mentioned in Psalm 31:5.

Elohim Bashamayim אֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם

“God in heaven” is the name given by Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:6.

Elohim Chayim אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים

This name, meaning “living God,” is similar to El Chaiyai and Elohim Chai above. Chai (חַי) in Hebrew means “life”.

Elah Shamayia אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא

Similar to Elohim Bashamayim, from the book of Ezra (7:23), Elah Shamayia means “God of Heaven”.

Elah Yerushalim אֱלָהּ יְרוּשְׁלֶֽם

God is referred to as the “God of Jerusalem” in Ezra 7:19 and as the “God of Israel” (אֱלָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל) yet again in Ezra 5:1.

Eloah Selichot אֱלֹוהַּ סְלִיחֹות

I’m so thankful for this one! In Nehemiah 9:17, it says that our God is a “God of forgiveness.” We don’t deserve it, but He’s patient with us and has given Jesus to us to redeem our sin, which we can’t do for ourselves.

Elohei Tz’vaot אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאֹות

In 2 Samuel 5:10, the name, “God of hosts” is said to be the cause of David’s greatness.

Elohei Avraham, Yitzach, and Ya’akov אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב

To distinguish from the many gods of the surrounding peoples, our God is the “God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.” “God of Jacob” can also be found as Eloah Ya’akov (אֱלוֹהַּ יַעֲקֹב) in Psalm 114:7.

Elohei HaElohim אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים

In Deuteronomy 10:17, this is another name for “God of gods,” similar to El Elim above. Another name with the same meaning, Elah Elahin (אֱלָהּ אֱלָהִין) can be found in Daniel 2:47.

Elohei MaUzzi אֵל מָעוּזִּי חָיִל

“God, a strong fortress” is what this name means, found in 2 Samuel 22:33. David gives Him this name in praise, attributing all his success to God. A similar name, El sal’i (אֵל סַלְעִי), meaning “God, my rock”, can be found in Psalm 42:9. The word for rock here can also mean a crag or a cliff.

Elohei Mikkarov אֱלֹהֵי מִקָּרֹב

“God who is near” is what God says about Himself in Jeremiah 23:23. What an amazing gift we have in that we’re able to have a God who wants to be close to us!

Elohei Marom אֱלֹהֵי מָרֹום

“God of heights” or “God on high” is how God is described in Micah 6:6. While this may seem like the opposite of the previous name, “God who is near,” but since He’s God, He can be both near to us and a God whose exalted!

Elohei Tzur Yishi אֱלֹהֵי צוּר יִשְׁעִֽי

Similar to El Yashuati above, this name given by David means “God, the rock of my salvation” and is found in 2 Samuel 22:47.

Elohei Mishpat אֱלֹהֵי מִשְׁפָּט

In Isaiah 30:18, the people of Israel are given hope that their God will bring justice to those who have mistreated them. This name means “God of justice”.

Elohei Kedem אֱלֹהֵי קֶדֶם

“Eternal God” is what this name means. It’s used in Deuteronomy 33:27 by Moses on his deathbed. Although he knows he can’t accompany the Hebrew people into the Promised Land, he does know the God that will go with them and that He is forever.

Elohei Tehellati אֱלֹהֵי תְהִלָּתִי

This name should really be the name we all have for God. Elohai Tellhelati means “God of my praise.” Like no one else, God’s the only one deserving of all of our praise!

Elohei Avoteinu אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹותֵינוּ

Meaning “God of our fathers”, this is yet another name given by David, and it can be found in 1 Chronicles 12:17. Elah Ahavti (אֱלָהּ אֲבָהָתִי) is similar but means “God of my fathers” (Daniel 2:23).

Elohei Nachor אֱלֹהֵי נָחוֹר

Just as He’s the God of Abraham, God is also described as the God of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, in Genesis 31:53.

Elohei Haruchot Lakol Basar אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל־בָּשָׂר

Moses and Aaron describe God as the “God of the spirits of all flesh” in Numbers 16:22, and Moses repeats this in chapter 27, verse 16. Our God is not only God over everything physical but also over the spiritual world! What an amazing God we have!

Click here for a free printable PDF version of my Names of God Chart!

There are so many names of God related to El and Elohim! It’s impossible for us to fully comprehend all of who He is but the study of His names gives us a glimpse of His character and He’s just awesome!

Mic Drop Moments in Proverbs About Money

Written by Holy Branches on July 3, 2025. Posted in Bible Study. No Comments on Mic Drop Moments in Proverbs About Money

I love the Book of Proverbs because of its time-tested truths and laws. For more articles from Proverbs, check out the Mic Drop Moments in Proverbs Page.

One of the most critical lessons for Christians is to be proper stewards of their money. Money is your ability to influence the world around you, and there is a shortage of good Christian influence. Much of this is due to how we are currently managing our finances.
The Bible has so much to say about how God’s people handle their money. The Book of Proverbs is a great place to start and not only gives us direction on money specifically but also on work, greed, giving, provision, and other money-related topics. There are too many to cover in this post, but here are a few of my favorites.

Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
Prov 6:6-8

You couldn’t have grown up in my house without knowing this one. It was a favorite of my Great-Grandfather, and all of those under his care knew it like the back of their hands and passed it on as well. If you watch a community of ants, it won’t take long to realize just how busy they all are! They instinctively know to store food for when it will be scarce. As beings with the very Word of our Creator God to guide us, we should know – even better than the ants do – that we need to save some of our income for the future. You never know when a crisis will strike in this life or when financial changes will occur that are out of your control. It’s wise to be prepared!

“Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
“For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.
Prov 8:10-11

The “speaker” in this verse is wisdom itself. It’s just one of many places in Proverbs where wisdom is personified to get the point across. It’s not saying that silver, gold, and jewels are wrong; it’s just that, given the choice, wisdom is the better option. You can have all the worldly treasure you want, but without wisdom, it’s empty and fleeting.

He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.
Prov. 11:15

Proverbs 17:18 says pretty much the same thing. Being a “guarantor” can also be translated as “puts up security” or “puts up surety.” In our culture, this can occur when we co-sign for a loan or even lend money to someone. The verse says that we shouldn’t stand behind the promise of another person to pay us or another entity back. If the bank won’t loan them money, it’s because they probably don’t have the means to pay it back. We can gift money if help is needed, but guaranteeing that money will be paid back when it’s someone else’s responsibility isn’t our place and may cause us suffering.

He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
Prov. 11:28

We should ensure our financial success to the best of our ability, using wisely the resources we’ve been gifted with. It’s when we put our trust in that financial success that we fail spiritually. God wants all our attention and doesn’t want what He’s blessed us with to detract from that. Trust in Him and be humbly grateful for the riches He’s blessed you with.

There is one who pretends to be rich but has nothing;
Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
Prov. 13:7

We have a saying that explains what’s going on here – “Keeping up with the Jones’s.” We become great pretenders, with the ability to borrow money through loans and credit cards, allowing us to appear to have wealth that we do not. So many Americans live drowning in debt just because they childishly “pretend to be rich.” On the other hand, I know millionaires who live like they have much less, driving used cars, shopping at thrift stores, and using coupons. The outer appearance doesn’t always accurately portray someone’s financial situation.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Prov. 13:22

The Bible gives advice on how to handle our own money and how to set our children on the right path financially. Starting your life in debt from student loans, credit card debt, or auto loans is like starting a game with a negative number of points. “A good man” will use wisdom to put himself and his children in good financial shape. A parent must always have the best for his or her children on their mind. Planning for their financial success also includes teaching them about finances so that even if they get an inheritance from their parents, they use and invest it wisely rather than squander it.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Prov. 15:16

I’m pretty sure we would all say that having God is better than having money, but living that way is easier said than done. People are easily distracted, and comforts often win when they compete with our time with or service to God. We can all think of at least a few celebrities with great treasures but who also have turmoil in their lives that none of us would want! But what if we could have both? What if we could fear God and have great treasure and not let the treasure distract us from what’s most important? That would surely take a large amount of maturity and discipline to achieve.

House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Prov. 19:14

This Proverb is the bible version of “there are some things money can’t buy.” In this case, it’s a good wife. In our country, you aren’t supposed to buy a wife, but even if you could, how could you ensure you get a prudent one? So, wives, the takeaway is that rich, poor, or in between, our husbands can be blessed or cursed by us. Be a blessing to him, even if he sometimes doesn’t deserve it. Click here for more advice for wives from the book of Proverbs.

The rich and the poor have a common bond,
The Lord is the maker of them all.
Prov. 22:2

This is the crux of all of God’s Word, right? He doesn’t define us by our financial status or other ways we define each other but looks straight into our hearts. He wants our adoration and our obedience, and He ultimately wants to see us all spend eternity with Him (John 3:17). This should also cause us to check how we examine, define, and judge other people. We should continually work to have the ability to see people (including ourselves) through God’s eyes!

The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
Prov. 22:7

I cringe a bit when I read this, and I bet you do, too. No one wants to admit that this is the way it is, but the rich really do have more power, especially over those who owe them money. So, the lesson in this one is twofold – not to spend money we don’t have lest we become slaves and to handle our money responsibly so that we’re not poor and powerless.

Wait, slaves? In our culture? Absolutely! If you’re not personally carrying around massive debt, I’m sure you know someone who is. And I bet they aren’t living the life of a free person. Living in fear of repossession, being hounded by collections companies, or being sued by those to whom you owe money causes mental, emotional, and marital anguish. We must use our God-given resources wisely because we’ve been given the Gospel with a directive to go and make disciples, and that will be hindered if we’re struggling ourselves.

He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
Prov. 28:27

When we’re blessed with more than enough, it should be natural for us to want to bless others. I know it’s sometimes difficult to part with money we could use to better our own lives, but numerous places in the Bible tell us to responsibly and sacrificially give out of what we’ve been given.

Many people want to give but cannot due to their poor financial health. If this is you, I understand the helplessness you feel when you read about giving in the Bible. However, just the fact that the Bible mentions giving so much should prompt us to strive to become healthy enough financially to fulfill what God wants from us. That said, I know many circumstances put people in difficult financial situations. Please communicate regularly with God about His wishes for your life and money, and see the end of this post for professional financial help if you need it.

Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Prov. 30:7-9

This Proverb is one of my favorites because it proves God knows me so well! I would love to ask God to make me the wealthiest woman in the world (so humble, I know!), but He and I both know it takes so much humility and wisdom not to ignore God when we’re prosperous. Even now, when things are going well in my life, I tend to attribute that to myself rather than to God, who has indeed given me any success I have. Until I have the change in heart necessary to realize who’s really handing out the blessings around here, this Proverb is my prayer.

The Total Money Makeover Updated and Expanded: A Proven Plan for Financial Peace

Some of these Proverbs are a bit of a slap in the face, aren’t they? But even if we’ve been unbiblical about our finances in the past, that doesn’t mean we have to be that way forever. Today’s the day to stop digging and find a way out of the hole you’ve put yourself in. You can’t do what God has called you to do as well as you could if you were free financially. You can’t give what you don’t have in the first place.

Let today be the day you start handling your money how God wants you to. If you don’t already give to your church, that’s a great place to start. If you have been blessed with plenty, find a legitimate charity and give there. If you’re a slave to lenders, there’s hope for you, too! My husband and I have taken and taught Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and find it a direct and effective way to get out of debt and build wealth, even if you’re in way over your head. Here’s the link to his site. You can find a local FPU class, take one online, or use his other valuable resources to get financially fit.

What is a Messianic Bar Mitzvah?

Written by Holy Branches on July 3, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 1 Comment on What is a Messianic Bar Mitzvah?

While better known as a Jewish custom, some Christians and Jewish believers in Jesus (Messianic Jews) also embrace Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. What value is there in having a Bar Mitzvah? And why would a believer in Jesus as the Messiah want one?

What is a Bar Mitzvah anyway?

Let’s start with the words “Bar Mitzvah”. “Bar” is the Aramaic word for “son,” and “mitzvah” is the Hebrew word for “commandment.” So a “Bar Mitzvah” is a “son of the commandment.”

The term “Bar Mitzvah” can describe either the celebration (as in, “We’re going to attend a Bar Mitzvah”) or the person who has gone through the training and ceremony (as in, “He is now a bar mitzvah”).

Girls can also go through the Bar Mitzvah process. In that case, she would be called a Bat Mitzvah (pronounced “baht,” meaning daughter), and her ceremony would be called a Bat Mitzvah.

Whether boy or girl, at age 12 or 13, a Bar Mitzvah is held after he or she has completed training in the Jewish faith. This ceremony signifies that he or she is no longer a child but is on the way to adulthood. It’s the milestone that shows moral responsibility, and the responsibility of one’s faith transfers from the parent to the child.

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In preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a child will train for years, starting around age 9, with more concentrated training in the last year (their 11th or 12th year) before their Bar Mitzvah ceremony. This education, similar to Catechism or Confirmation, equips them to be part of their spiritual community.

A special service is held at their synagogue once their training is complete, near or on their birthday. The child leads the service and reads from the Torah scroll in Hebrew during this service. He or she also says the Shema and the blessings for the Torah reading.

The Torah portion read is often their “birth Torah.” This portion of Scripture was read on the Shabbat of the week they were born. They also talk (like a mini-sermon) about the portion and how it’s meaningful to them.

A party often follows the Bar Mitzvah service, with gifts for the new bar mitzvah and dancing (usually Israeli Folk dancing).

Where did this custom come from?

Although Biblical principles are woven throughout the Bar Mitzvah, it’s not directly mentioned in the Bible. The earliest mention of this ceremony is in the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, written as early as the 4th century. These are Jewish rabbinical writings meant to guide the daily activities of Jewish community members.

While Bar Mitzvahs have been held for centuries, ceremonies like the ones we see today date back to the Middle Ages. The Bat Mitzvah is a pretty recent development, appearing only in the 20th century.

Bar Mitzvah in the Bible

Although the Bar Mitzvah ceremony isn’t in the Bible, many believe Jesus’s Bar Mitzvah process is mentioned. In Luke 2:41-52, Luke notes that Jesus was 12 when he was left behind and found at the Temple, talking with the rabbis there. He was also in Jerusalem for Passover, a Biblical requirement for men. At 12, he may have been preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, which includes discussing Scripture with rabbis and learning to keep the laws concerning the festivals.

Many suggest that his age of 12 and his trip to Jerusalem for Passover indicate that he was in the process of preparing for his Bar Mitzvah or was there for the event itself.

Why have a Bar Mitzvah if I’m not Jewish?

As Christians, we’re grafted in to the promises God gave to the people of Israel. Both the roots of our Biblical faith and our Messiah are Jewish. As we live out our faith, we try to continually grow and be more like Jesus. Practicing our faith as he practiced his will give us a better understanding of him and our Bibles.

The other reason for having a Bar Mitzvah is to provide a solid spiritual foundation for those growing up with faith in the Bible and Jesus as their savior. It also serves as a milestone for children heading into adulthood, giving them an official crossover from childhood to adulthood.

Also, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs aren’t just for 12—and 13-year-olds! Those are just the minimum ages. Adults can have one, too!

How to have a Messianic Bar Mitzvah

The guidelines for candidates for Bar and Bat Mitzvah differ between congregations. If you want one for your son or daughter (or yourself!). Contact the rabbi or pastor of your Messianic or other congregation to inquire about their Bar Mitzvah procedures.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah candidates (or B’nei Mitzvot) should learn the following basics (ideally starting around nine years old):

The Hebrew Language – Candidates should have a solid understanding of Biblical Hebrew. B’nei should be able to read from the Torah and read and say the Torah reading blessings in Hebrew.
Their Torah portion: the content and how to read it in Hebrew and English. Use these links to find the Torah Portion for your birthdate and print it out in Hebrew and English.
How to say the Shema and understand what it means.
How to understand, read and say the Torah reading blessings from the Siddur (prayer book).

How to handle the Torah scrolls, ark, and other implements with reverence and respect.
The values and beliefs of their faith.
The religious practices of their faith.

Most Messianic Bar Mitzvahs include the following:

The Bar or Bat performing all or part of the Torah Service.
The Bar or Bat reading the Torah portion in Hebrew from the Torah scroll.
The Bar or Bat giving a midrash (mini-sermon) on what the Holy Spirit has taught him or her through their Torah portion.
Baptism (mikveh) may be included.
Boys may wear a tallit (prayer shawl), and girls may wear a head covering (scarf).
Some sort of celebration afterward, which can be potluck-style.

A Bar Mitzvah is a milestone in a young person’s life and can provide them with a firm spiritual foundation for life. It’s a meaningful ceremony and a clear point at which someone takes responsibility for their spiritual life and becomes a functioning member of their faith community. It’s also a time when one can declare his or her faith in the God of the Bible and Messiah, Jesus.

Recipes for Shavuot

Written by Holy Branches on May 29, 2025. Posted in Shavuot. 3 Comments on Recipes for Shavuot

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

Cheese Blintzes

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

Cream Cheese Danish

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

Deluxe Noodle Kugel

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

Caprese Appetizer

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

Baklava

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

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

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

Marinated Feta

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

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

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

Mini Cheesecake

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

Cheesecake Brownies

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

Ice Cream in a Bag

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

Challah Bread

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

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

10 Ideas for a Christian Shavuot

Written by Holy Branches on May 29, 2025. Posted in Shavuot. 2 Comments on 10 Ideas for a Christian Shavuot

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

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

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

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

1. Pray

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

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

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

2. Read the Stories

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

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

3. Rest

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

4. Teach the Children

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

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

Kid-Friendly Crafts for Shavuot at PJ Library

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

5. Provide for the Less Fortunate

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

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

6. Celebrate Milk and Honey

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

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

Mini Cheesecakes

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

Marinated Feta

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

Deluxe Noodle Kugel

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

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

7. Serve Two Challah Loaves

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

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

8. Have a Holy Convocation

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

9. Get Baptized

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

10. Make a Pilgrimage

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

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

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

Shavuot: A Gift for God’s Covenant People

Written by Holy Branches on May 29, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Shavuot, Traditions. 1 Comment on Shavuot: A Gift for God’s Covenant People

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

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

Why Shavuot?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sounds like a reason to celebrate, right!?

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

Why Count the Omer?

Written by Holy Branches on April 29, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Shavuot, Traditions. 5 Comments on Why Count the Omer?

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

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

What’s an Omer?

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

The Command

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

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

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

Lev. 23:16

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

Passover

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

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

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The Feast of Unleavened Bread

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

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

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

The Festival of First Fruits

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

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

The Festival of Shavuot

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

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

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

The Connection

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

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

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50 Days

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

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

A Time for Growth

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

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

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

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

Ready for the Spirit

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

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

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

What to Do During the Count

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

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

Count, Of Course!

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

2. Communicate with God

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

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

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

Psalm 139:23-24

Share the Count

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

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

Prepare for Shavuot

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

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

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