Provide A Timeline Of The Spring Jewish Feasts From Passover To Shavuot
Timeline of the Spring Feasts & Their Requirements
The spring feasts follow the Biblical Hebrew calendar, occurring in the first three months (Nisan, Iyar, Sivan). Below is a breakdown:
1. Passover (Pesach)
Date: 14th of Nisan (Evening)
Scripture: Exodus 12:1–14, Leviticus 23:5
Requirements:
A lamb without blemish is slain and eaten (originally in Egypt, later in the Temple).
No leaven (chametz) is eaten.
Families gather for the Passover Seder, recounting the Exodus.
Blood of the lamb was originally applied to doorposts (Exodus 12:7).
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot)
Date: 15th–21st of Nisan (7 Days)
Scripture: Exodus 12:15–20, Leviticus 23:6–8
Requirements:
Eat unleavened bread (matzah) for seven days.
No leaven (chametz) is to be found in the house.
First and seventh days are sacred rest days (no work except food preparation).
Celebrates the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt.
3. Feast of Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim – Barley Harvest)
Date: The day after the Sabbath within Unleavened Bread (typically 16th of Nisan if the Sabbath is the 15th).
Scripture: Leviticus 23:9–14
Requirements:
A sheaf (omer) of barley is brought to the priest and waved before God.
No new grain can be eaten until this offering is made.
This marks the beginning of the grain harvest and an act of trust in God's provision.
4. Counting the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer)
Date: Begins on Firstfruits and lasts 50 days (from 16th of Nisan to 6th of Sivan).
Scripture: Leviticus 23:15–16
Requirements:
Count seven full weeks (49 days).
Each day is verbally counted.
Anticipation builds toward Shavuot.
Originally, an omer (measure) of barley was offered daily.
5. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot – Wheat Harvest & Torah Giving)
Date: 50 days after Firstfruits (6th of Sivan).
Scripture: Exodus 34:22, Leviticus 23:15–21
Requirements:
Bring two loaves of wheat bread baked with leaven as a wave offering.
Present additional burnt offerings and a sin offering.
Considered a pilgrimage feast (Deuteronomy 16:16).
Later became associated with the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
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These feasts not only mark the agricultural cycle but also hold deep spiritual significance in Israel’s history, especially the Exodus and Sinai covenant. Let me know if you need further details!
