Why Do We Celebrate at Designated Times?

G-d has a calendar. From the very beginning of creation, He set times and seasons for His people.

Genesis 1:14 records:

And 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 (moadim), and for days and years.”

The psalmist echoes this truth:

Psalm 104:19

He made the moon for appointed times (moed); the sun knows its going down.

The Hebrew word moedim—“appointed times”—is the same word used in Leviticus 23, where the L-rd instructs Moses:

Leviticus 23:1–2

“These are My appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the L-rd, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.”

This chapter goes on to list G-d’s feasts. In His wisdom, He gave His people an annual cycle of appointed times—moments to remember what He has already done and to rehearse what He will yet do through Messiah. Each feast deepens our understanding of G-d’s plan and draws us closer to Him. As Isaiah invites us:

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the L-rd while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”

The Weekly Appointed Time: Shabbat

The very first moed listed is the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath), the seventh day of the week. From creation itself, G-d set this day apart as a time for rest, restoration, and worship.

The Annual Appointed Times

The other moedim are divided into spring and fall appointments:

Spring Appointments:

  • Pesach (Passover): Aviv 14 (nisan post exile)

  • Chag HaMatzot (Unleavened Bread): Aviv 15–21 (nisan post exile)

  • Yom HaBikkurim (Firstfruits): Aviv 17 (traditional) (nisan post exile)

  • Shavuot (Pentecost): Sivan 6–7 (3rd month)

Fall Appointments:

  • Yom Teruah (Trumpets): Ethanim 1 (Tishri post exile)

  • Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): Ethanim 10 (Tishri post exile)

  • Sukkot (Tabernacles): Ethanim 15–21 (Tishre post exile)

  • Hoshana Rabba (Seventh Day of Sukkot): Ethanim 21 (traditional) (Tishri post exile)

  • Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly): Ethanim 22 (Tishri post exile)

Other Celebrations:

  • Hanukkah and Purim are not commanded in the Torah but are celebrated in Jewish tradition. We honor them as times to remember G-d’s faithfulness and deliverance.

Leviticus 23:41 emphasizes that these moedim are “a statute forever throughout your generations.” They are not simply ancient customs but enduring appointments with our Creator.

The Moedim and Messiah

Sadly, much of the non-Jewish faith world has lost sight of these Biblical feasts. Many have been taught that Yeshua did away with them, yet He Himself celebrated these appointed times—and so did His disciples after the resurrection. The early Messianic community observed them faithfully until they were outlawed. Even then, Jewish families preserved them quietly, so that we might celebrate them again today.

Yeshua reminds us in John 14:15:

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

And Rabbi Shaul (Paul) taught that through Messiah, Jew and Gentile are united in one household of faith:

Ephesians 2:18–19

“For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you (Gentile) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of G-d.”

This household of G-d does not erase our unique gifts or cultures. Instead, each of us brings our distinct expression of worship, while sharing together in the joy of G-d’s appointed seasons.

Celebrating Today

We are blessed to gather with people from many backgrounds to celebrate the feasts of the L-rd. These are not mere traditions; they are prophetic rehearsals of Messiah’s work—fulfilled, ongoing, and still to come. Today, unlike the hidden observances of the past, we can openly lift up the name of Yeshua and glorify G-d together at His appointed times.