The Caveat
First, allow me to get one thing out of the way.
The Siniatic law was only a shadow of the good things that were coming - not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never make perfect those who draw near to worship by repeating the same sacrifices endlessly year after year (Hebrews 10:1; 7:18-19). However, that does not mean that there is no place for Halakha in the Adonaists’ life. It simply means that observing the festivals has no part in our salvation.
Even discounting salvation, Adonaists don’t believe that observing any of the feasts are required for church membership. As long as I am an elder in this church, no one will ever tell you that your attendance to a feast is required for church membership - much less salvation.
However, as long as they are not maleh (which means fulfilled, cancelled, or abrogated), we enjoy observing many of them for the many spiritual lessons they can teach.
- Colossians 2:16-17 HCSB Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a sabbath day. (17) These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.
The Siniatic law was only a shadow of the good things that were coming - not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never make perfect those who draw near to worship by repeating the same sacrifices endlessly year after year (Hebrews 10:1; 7:18-19). However, that does not mean that there is no place for Halakha in the Adonaists’ life. It simply means that observing the festivals has no part in our salvation.
Even discounting salvation, Adonaists don’t believe that observing any of the feasts are required for church membership. As long as I am an elder in this church, no one will ever tell you that your attendance to a feast is required for church membership - much less salvation.
However, as long as they are not maleh (which means fulfilled, cancelled, or abrogated), we enjoy observing many of them for the many spiritual lessons they can teach.
The Hebrew Calendar
In the lists below, the word “erev” means evening and indicates the day is observed that evening. There are eleven special days our congregation observes. These include God’s seven holy days described in Leviticus 23:
1. Pesach* - Passover (erev Nisan 14)
2. Ch’ag Hamotzi – Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15-22)
3. Yom Habikkurim – First Fruits (erev Nisan 17)
4. Shavuot* – Pentecost (erev Sivan 5)
5. Yom Teruah – Trumpets (erev 29th of Elul)
6. Yom Kippur – Atonement (erev Tishrei 9)
7. Sukkot* – Booths (erev Tishrei 14-21)
*These are the Shalosh Regalim (three big pilgrimage feasts). These can be found in Exodus 23:14-17; 34:18-23; and Deuteronomy 16:16. Since the Temple has been destroyed, the pilgrimage aspect is maleh but we choose to remember them during our liturgical year in anticipation of Yahweh Melek’s return and restoration of the Shalosh Regalim. There are two “feasts of the people” that do appear in the Scriptures:
1. Purim (14th of Adar II)
2. Hanukkah (24th of Kislev – 2nd of Tevet)
We also hold two commemorative observances:
1. Yom HaShoah (Nisan 27) which commemorates the Holocaust
2. Simch’at Torah (Tishrei 23) which celebrates the gift of the Holy Scriptures
1. Pesach* - Passover (erev Nisan 14)
2. Ch’ag Hamotzi – Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15-22)
3. Yom Habikkurim – First Fruits (erev Nisan 17)
4. Shavuot* – Pentecost (erev Sivan 5)
5. Yom Teruah – Trumpets (erev 29th of Elul)
6. Yom Kippur – Atonement (erev Tishrei 9)
7. Sukkot* – Booths (erev Tishrei 14-21)
*These are the Shalosh Regalim (three big pilgrimage feasts). These can be found in Exodus 23:14-17; 34:18-23; and Deuteronomy 16:16. Since the Temple has been destroyed, the pilgrimage aspect is maleh but we choose to remember them during our liturgical year in anticipation of Yahweh Melek’s return and restoration of the Shalosh Regalim. There are two “feasts of the people” that do appear in the Scriptures:
1. Purim (14th of Adar II)
2. Hanukkah (24th of Kislev – 2nd of Tevet)
We also hold two commemorative observances:
1. Yom HaShoah (Nisan 27) which commemorates the Holocaust
2. Simch’at Torah (Tishrei 23) which celebrates the gift of the Holy Scriptures
New Moon Study
Why these and not others?
No holiday that involves the Temple is binding – the Temple is not standing. No holiday that involves sacrifice for sins is binding – the Messiah took care of that once and for all. Actually, no Adonaic Christian should condemn anyone on issues of holidays for
However, many of us deliberately observe these holidays instead of all the pagan holidays the world thrusts upon us (Easter, Valentine’s Day, Father/Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Years) as a moral choice. We also choose to observe them because we want to build in a constant sense of Hashem’s presence and an appreciation for His values and culture in our children, i.e.
Some will object that a few of the feasts are directed toward the “native born” of the land. However, Adonaists hold to a concept we call “ezrach’” which literally means citizenship, but is used to indicate our status as God’s people. For a more complete discussion of this issue you are invited to study the article titled “Ezrach – our new identity.” However, in brief, consider the following passages.
Most of the holidays we observe have direct Scriptural support. Hanukkah is barely mentioned, but the Master apparently observed it so it is included. Yom ha Shoah and Simch’at Torah do not have any direct biblical support but their usefulness will be explained.
- Colossians 2:16-17 HCSB Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. (17) These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.
However, many of us deliberately observe these holidays instead of all the pagan holidays the world thrusts upon us (Easter, Valentine’s Day, Father/Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Years) as a moral choice. We also choose to observe them because we want to build in a constant sense of Hashem’s presence and an appreciation for His values and culture in our children, i.e.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-9 HCSB These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. (7) Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (8) Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. (9) Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Some will object that a few of the feasts are directed toward the “native born” of the land. However, Adonaists hold to a concept we call “ezrach’” which literally means citizenship, but is used to indicate our status as God’s people. For a more complete discussion of this issue you are invited to study the article titled “Ezrach – our new identity.” However, in brief, consider the following passages.
- Exodus 12:48-49 HCSB If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover, every male in his household must be circumcised, and then he may participate; he will become like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat it. (49) The same law will apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you."
- Leviticus 19:33-34 HCSB "When a foreigner lives with you in your land, you must not oppress him. (34) You must regard the foreigner who lives with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.
- Numbers 9:14 HCSB "If a foreigner resides with you and wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreign resident and the native of the land."
- Numbers 15:13-16 HCSB "Every Israelite is to prepare these things in this way when he presents a fire offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. (14) When a foreigner resides with you or someone else is among you and wants to prepare a fire offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he is to do exactly as you do throughout your generations. (15) The assembly is to have the same statute for both you and the foreign resident as a permanent statute throughout your generations. You and the foreigner will be alike before the LORD. (16) The same law and the same ordinance will apply to both you and the foreigner who resides with you."
Most of the holidays we observe have direct Scriptural support. Hanukkah is barely mentioned, but the Master apparently observed it so it is included. Yom ha Shoah and Simch’at Torah do not have any direct biblical support but their usefulness will be explained.
Not working in a pagan society.
Observance of some of the holidays includes not working. Obviously, the rest of the world does not necessarily share our beliefs and instead worships Mammon. Their beliefs push them to work seven days a week night and day. Exhausting! So some believers, due to their jobs, will not be able to follow the prohibition against work. Let me assure you. First, · 1 Timothy 5:8 HCSB Now if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
El Shaddai understands your need to care for your family. Will He not judge justly? Second, Adonaic Christians follow the principle of dina d’malch’uta dina – (dee-NAH duh-mahl-koo-TAH dee-NAH) which literally means “the law of the land is law.” This phrase is a guide to elders as they try to apply Scripture to day to day ethical, spiritual, and legal conundrums.
Authority in society is vested in civil governments. It’s their duty to provide for civil order (Romans 13:1-7). It’s their office, not their personal merit or power to subject others, that is to be respected. God administers his kingship in human affairs by his appointed servants. Like our father Abraham we must keep faith with the country in which we are resident aliens (Genesis 21:23). We must give Caesar his due (Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25). Like the Apostle Paul, we should be able to say that we have not sinned against Caesar’s law (Acts 25:8). Therefore dina d’malch’uta dina applies. The law of the land in which we live rules us as long as it does not ask us to deny God.
El Shaddai understands your need to care for your family. Will He not judge justly? Second, Adonaic Christians follow the principle of dina d’malch’uta dina – (dee-NAH duh-mahl-koo-TAH dee-NAH) which literally means “the law of the land is law.” This phrase is a guide to elders as they try to apply Scripture to day to day ethical, spiritual, and legal conundrums.
Authority in society is vested in civil governments. It’s their duty to provide for civil order (Romans 13:1-7). It’s their office, not their personal merit or power to subject others, that is to be respected. God administers his kingship in human affairs by his appointed servants. Like our father Abraham we must keep faith with the country in which we are resident aliens (Genesis 21:23). We must give Caesar his due (Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25). Like the Apostle Paul, we should be able to say that we have not sinned against Caesar’s law (Acts 25:8). Therefore dina d’malch’uta dina applies. The law of the land in which we live rules us as long as it does not ask us to deny God.
