There is a rich legacy of events that have shaped Judaism and, subsequently, Christianity. The Lord’s use of the feasts and festivals of the Bible has given opportunity to set believers apart from those who do not believe. Traditions and customs have developed out of these festivals that have been implemented to honor the Lord and give remembrance of the things he has done in Israel and in the lives of those who love him. I hope you will enjoy this journey with me as we look at some of the customs of the Bible concerning the way feasts and festivals are handled.

          In early biblical times through today, Jewish custom has been to carry out the commands issued by God through the Mosaic Law. These are customs passed down through the ages that act as reminders of God’s laws, commands, and also his provisions. Exodus 12:14 says, “This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord” (NRSV). Remembrance of the most important provision is that which has been made through Christ as messiah and redeemer of Israel. The Law was implemented to increase faith and attention toward the fulfillment of this ultimate of provisions. That is the general nature of the customs surrounding Jewish feasts and festivals: to increase faith in the fulfillment of God’s promises.

          The last thing to mention in this introduction is the definitions of feast and festival. What is the difference, if there is any? My assumption was that any event involving food as a focus would be considered a feast while an event without food being the main attraction would be considered a festival. After my research, it appears to me that festival refers to all the celebratory events and that feast is a subsequent name of a few specific festivals. That being said, let’s take a look at several of these festivals and feasts, and the customs associated with them. 

          The festivals have traditionally been categorized into five major and then the minor divisions. The major divisions are those festivals sanctioned by the books of Moses, the Torah. The minor divisions are those honored by tradition and not specifically implemented in the Torah. I won’t be able to cover them all here, but will highlight a few and the customs surrounding them. According to Leviticus 23:4, the Jewish people “shall celebrate [the major festivals] at the time appointed for them” (NRSV). Some of the festivals specifically follow seasons. The festivals are times of celebration in today’s Jewish community, and of course in those communities of antiquity. They gave thanks, sang songs, danced, often surrounded the festival with food, and sometimes conducted ritual sacrifices (Flory, 1997, p. 131).

          The synagogue is certainly of great importance to the Jewish people. However, the home is the focal point for many of the festivals and feasts. These commencements are held in the home and celebrated as a family. Assembling together with the family and also with strangers is a major part of Jewish custom in regards to festivals and feasts. “Hospitality is a very important aspect of Jewish life” because many have entertained angels with knowing it (Breuilly, 1997, p. 37). If you are traveling in Israel or around a Jewish community, you can expect to find some hospitableness.

Major Festivals

          The New Year, or Rosh Hashanah, festival is a time of reflection and self-examination. This takes place during the ten day prelude to Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. Each day during Rosh Hashanah a ram’s horn is blown called a shofar. It is blown to call Jews to reflect, repent, and bring in a fresh new year. On the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month of Tishri, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, festival begins. It is obviously founded on the idea of atonement, inner reflection, and fasting. This is the cap to the preparation of Rosh Hashanah. This festival is one of the “holy convocations” dedicated in Leviticus 23. It wasn’t until more modern times that Yom Kippur became a major feast. Before hand is was referred to as the Feast of Trumpets. They sounded the ram horn and gave an “offering by fire” (Akin, et al, 1998, p. 568). More than one horn was blown as the name implies.

          Yom Kippur was to draw attention to the Lord, his altar, and his mercy. Leviticus 23:27 says to “afflict yourself.” This is a time to get caught up in inner reflection. It is traditional that this indicates also fasting with the repentance. It is so important that the Law instructs to cut off a believer if they will not honor this time of reflection (Lev 23:29). The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies during this occasion. The priest bathed before coming to the temple. Before entering the temple, he again washed his hands and feet to symbolize the desire to be pure. The priest had a special festal garment of linen to use. This was different than any other festal garment used in other festivals. The priest then made sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people and released a scapegoat at the end to carry the sins away from the camp and into the desert.

          The customs of this feast mirror that of Christ. It was the blood of Jesus that was shed instead of animals and he was led away as a sheep to the slaughter to carry our sins away (Act 8:32). The reason for Yom Kippur was to illustrate “perfect and permanent atonement had not yet been made” until Jesus atoned for our sins through his sacrifice (Akin, et al, 1998, p. 568). This has shown me the seriousness and effects of our sins that we don’t fully realize. It also gives me an appreciation for these festival and feasts of the Lord that were set in place to remind us of God’s ways. It illustrates the importance of following his commandments. Though that looks a little different for us today, it shows that answering the call God has placed on my life is of utmost importance. He has set it in place to bring him glory. The road isn’t easy. It is a messy and elaborate process like the sacrifices in Yom Kippur. But the mission still needs to be carried out.

          Another major festival is that of Booths, or Succoth. It is also referred to as the Festival of Ingathering or Tabernacles. This took place with the harvest. During this festival, the Israelites were to live in tents for seven days. These reminded Israelites of the time in the desert. The tents also would remind them of God’s presence since one of the tents held the Tabernacle: God’s presence with Israel. This would highlight God’s provision again, yet also his protection. The tents were made of fresh branches, twigs, willow, and palm trees in the area. Leviticus 23 was read during this event to highlight the journey from captivity in Egypt.

          What this event has shown me is that is gives a background again for Christ. And through these practices, the Israelites were supposed to have been getting prepared for the messiah as well. Now in hindsight we can see a little better. What thing I’ve learned about the tents is that they were constructed to keep rainfall off and yet to have a cistern to gather the rains into a trough. This reminds me of the river of life the Spirit brings to us when we accept Christ and accept the Spirit’s indwelling. Also, the tents had tiny holes in them that looked like stars when light passed through. These also highlight Jesus as the light of the world (Joh 8:12). Though the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they were being prepared for greatness later to come. What a special time.

Minor Festivals

Some minor festivals include the Bar mitzvah, circumcision, marriage, and Hanukah. They also celebrate the new mean through a festival every month. At this festival trumpets are blown and food is gathers to symbolize a fruitful harvest. Paul spoke of these New Moon festivals as a small picture of better things to come (Col 2:16-27). Leviticus 23 is read at this occasion and free will offerings are made (Akin, et al, 1998, p. 567). King David also made this observance while some have denounced its significance.

          The Festival of Lots, or Purim, is an event implemented by Queen Esther as a result of her victory over Haman. The word lots is used because Haman planned to cast lots to decide when to carry out the extermination of the Jews. The festival highlights Queen Esther’s bravery for having delivered Jews from genocide. The Bible book of Esther is read in Jewish temples during this event and children dress up to reenact the story. They also “shake rattles to drown out the name of Haman” (Flory, 1997, p. 290). This festival is a time for celebration. A food feast is prepared and shared with guests while gifts also are shared.

          The reenactment of biblical events bring the stories homeward. The process “makes them meaningful to present-day life” (Breuilly, 1997, p. 34).