Since we have just begun a new year, it is fitting that we look to the Bible for a better understanding of the Jewish calendar. We must first observe that there was no standard calendar in ancient times. Each nation or each conquering Empire had their own system of measuring time, some of which involved agricultural cycles while others involved lunar cycles.
The month of Nisan occurred around April which on the first of the month was a religious new year. It was during the month of Nisan that Passover was observed. The month of Tishri occurred around September which on the first day of the month was the civil New Year’s Day. That was called the Feast of the Trumpets. In the synagogue services a ram horn or Shofar was blown to announce the need for men to be recognized with each other and with God. Today modern Jews observe that time calling it Rosh Hashanah.
Between the Old and New Testament Jews developed a new calendar so that the first day of the first month was always Wednesday. This meant that the eve of Passover was on Tuesday every year. There are some scholars who believe Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal Tuesday evening in advance of the official observance of it later in the week. Technically there were two meals observed at that time. This is why some people believe that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday. This calendar observation was held by the Qumran community which preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Feast of Pentecost occurred in the month of Sivan which was during May and June timeframe. It was marked as 50 days from the 16th day of Nisan. As part of the feast loaves of wheat flour were offered. This is when the day of Pentecost occurred according to Acts 2.
The Great Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus 16, was to occur on the 10th day of Tishri and preserve God’s provisions of truth, propitiation, and substitution for divine relationship with God. The word atonement means to cover up. The concept is that during this time sin was covered but not settled until the Messiah came. This is a time of mourning, fasting and abstinence from secular pursuits. It was the priest’s responsibility to make an annual offering in the Holy of Holies for himself then the people. A goat was slain as a sacrifice. A second goat was driven into the wilderness as an implication that Satan’s power would be destroyed away from the people. That’s where we get the phrase scapegoat.
Most Christians would recognize what is called Hanukkah that takes place about the same time as Christmas. It is to recall the victory of the Jews over Antiochus Epiphanies during the Maccabean war between the Old and New Testament. It also recalls the miracle that only one day supply of oil in the temple lasted eight days. This is the reason that one candle is lit every day for eight days as part of the Jewish observance. Modern Jews have incorporated the Christmas practice of exchanging gifts during this time.
As we enter into a new year, let us recall the importance and meaning as part of the Jewish calendar that relates to Christians and recall the work of Christ for our eternal sacrifice.
Christian Writer 