To download & print a copy of the current Biblical feast day calendar, click here https://www.arkcommunity.org/calendar
I will try my best to be as brief as possible (and I mean it lol) because I want to quickly help those of us who are new to keeping the Biblical fall-time Holidays/Holy Days (https://www.etymonline.com/word/holiday), which are also commonly called Festivals or Feast days (in English). I’ve talked about The Most High YAH’s set apart/holy feast days in multiple other blogs, but this one will be different. This will be an overview, showing how we can keep & remember the Biblical Fall-Time Memorial Appointments. Alright, let’s get into it;
You can also watch this video announcement, it’s from 2023, but it still provides a lot of good information about preparing for and keeping YAH’s Fall Feasts https://www.facebook.com/reel/1370427177164862?fs=e&mibextid=0NULKw&fs=e&s=TIeQ9V
When thinking about the Fall Feasts, many people tend to first & foremost focus on the last of the three feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot. It’s my favorite feast to keep too, so I get it, but we have two preceding Biblical Memorial days which YAH appointed for us to keep during the Autumn season first. What are the first two?
That’s right Yom Teruah & Yom Kippur, both of which also additionally serve as Sukkot preparatory feasts, more on that later.
So, how do we keep Yom Teruah? With a blast!
To keep Yom Teruah set apart/holy, we must keep it the way that YAH instructs us to do so, first & foremost! As with all of YAH’s holy appointments, we should first check the summary chapter that is all about His set apart/holy days, let’s look at Leviticus 23:
“And the LORD (יהוה YAH) spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month (new moon), in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath (shabbat), a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation (gathering/assembly).”
Leviticus 23:23-24 KJV
So, as we just read, the first day of YAH’s 7th month (don’t think July, which is Rome’s 7th month), we are commanded to remember and set apart the day Yom Teruah, to blow our trumpets and have a holy convocation/set-apart gathering. Many of us blow a shofar/shophar, some of us actually blow trumpets. But we should know that the Hebrew word which is used in that verse literally translates to shout or blast. Our voices can blast like shophars/trumpets…
We read in other Scriptures, like this one below, that we should praise YAH with shouts of joy & praise—with blasts from our voices, horns, and other instruments:
We can go deeper, but again, we are trying to be brief… So, let’s get to what this blog & title is about.
What can you do to remember and keep Yom Teruah holy/set apart?
- Rest from your work
- Gather together with your families and/or assemble together with other Torah keepers
- Ask for YAH’s forgiveness after confessing your sins to Him, and do not fail to forgive others along with seeking forgiveness & reconciliation with anyone you have wronged — remember Mark 11:24-26, 1 John 1:9, James 5:16, Proverbs 28:13
- Shout-out praises of joy, and blow your shophar unto YAH and call out to YAH because our help comes from Him
- Read Scriptures together and throughout the day, readings like:
- Leviticus 23, Numbers 10:1-10 & 34-36, Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 7, Nehemiah 9, Matthew 24:29-31, and 1st Corinthians 15:51-52, amongst other readings
- Celebrate the feast, by feasting together! Share food with one another, especially those who are in need or shut in
A quick note on the shophar blasts
Scripture tells us to blow the shophar and to shout on Yom Teruah, but it does not prescribe a rigid sequence of blasts, nor an exact length of time to blow the shophar, nor any notes or keys to play. So, keep it simple and faithful: a few strong, long blasts on the shophar, then lift your voice in praise unto YAH—this honors the command without adding to Scripture.
Extra-biblical writings and traditions describe different trumpet sounds—tekiah, shevarim, teruah, and so on, with specific requirements—but The Scriptures themselves do not go into that level of detail. Here’s what we do see in The Word:
- Study Numbers 10:1–10, especially verse seven – Long blasts were used for assembly *(Yom Teruah is an assembly/convocation). Short blasts signaled the camps to move
- Leviticus 23:24 – Yom Teruah is a “memorial of teruah.”
- Leviticus 25:9 – The shofar teruah is blown at the Jubilee.
- Joshua 6:5 – A long blast on the shofar signaled the people to shout.
How do we keep Yom Kippur? Humbly.
And once we finish keeping Yom Teruah set apart, the preparation for & countdown to the remaining two fall feasts continues. On the 10th day of the 7th month (but starting at sunset on the 9th day of the 7th month), we are commanded to keep Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), and we must keep it holy/set apart by afflicting our souls. It’s a mandatory day of humbling for all those who say they love & obey our Father in heaven.
Again, let us first take a look at YAH’s “Set Apart Days’ Calendar”, to see our overall instructions concerning Yom Kippur—Leviticus 23 again:
“And יהוה (YAH) spoke to Mosheh (Moses), saying, On the tenth day of this seventh new moon (month) is Yom haKippurim. It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. “And you do no work on that same day, for it is Yom Kippurim, to make atonement for you before יהוה your Elohim (God). “For any being who is NOT afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people. “And any being who does ANY work on that same day, that being I shall destroy from the midst of his people. “You do no work – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. ‘It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings. On the ninth day of the new moon (month) at evening, from evening to evening, you observe your Sabbath.”
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:26-32 TS2009
A couple of questions we often hear when it comes to keeping Yom Kippur are: “How do we afflict our beings/souls?”, and “Do we have to fast from both food & water?” Here are the quick answers, (again, I’m trying to be brief here): We afflict & humble ourselves, by meditating on all that YAH has done for us DESPITE what we have done to Him. He has given us life and all that comes with it, plus He has given us life everlasting through the blood of His Son—HalleluYAH! Yom Kippur should be a day where our sin is ever before us as we meditate on our sin being before YAH. Keeping that in mind, we should submit and bow down in honor & appreciation of YAH’s forgiveness, long-suffering, and loving-kindness towards us as His children.
Below, are some shared passages from two excellent chapters to read aloud and meditate on throughout Yom Kippur, but for now please slowly read the highlighted verses, paying attention to a few keywords.
“My reproach is always before me, And the shame of my face has covered me,”
Tehillim (Psalms) 44:15 TS2009
Yom Kippur is a humbling day of introspection, repentance, and restoration, both for each of us individually and for all of us collectively as a nation. It’s a day of remembering our sins & shame, and the cost of our redemption through YAH’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Reread those verses above, and notice how our sins should cause us to humbly bow down in shame. We should be afflicted to our very souls considering the impact of our personal sins and the sins of our people, from our ancient ancestors till this day.
Before moving on, and for more insight take a look at the Hebrew word which is translated into the English phrase “you shall afflict”:
As we see above, fasting is a way to help keep us humble. Fasting brings us low and keeps us low before Almighty YAH. Fasting can literally cause us to bow down, keeping us in the moment, by urging us to reconsider and check our needs & desires. Fasting also should cause us to depend on and thirst after YAH more (see Psalm 42). It’s hard to be prideful on an empty stomach, so fasting is a great physical tool that helps to keep our souls in check; the physical fasting from food & water drives the soul affliction home.
So, what can you do to remember and keep Yom Kippur holy/set apart?:
- Rest from your work
- Gather together with your families and/or assemble together with other Torah keepers, especially at the beginning and/or the end of Yom Kippur
- Remember, Meditate & Pray to YAH throughout the 24-hour appointment; plead for and thank YAH for His forgiveness and atonement for our sins, along with the sins of our ancestors (Psalm 79:8-9)
- Read/Listen to Scriptures together and throughout the day, readings like:
- Leviticus 16, Leviticus 26:40-46, Numbers 29:7-11, Jonah, Daniel 9:3-19, Psalm 51, Psalm 1, Psalm 119, Joel 2:12-17, Lamentations, Matthew 5-7 (especially 6:4-18), Matthew 27, Hebrews 9 & 10, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 25, Psalm 32, amongst other readings
- Afflict your soul & being — humbly, bow down before The Most High, while fasting from food & water, and more importantly, fasting from pridefulness, greediness, haughtiness, and selfishness; refrain from entertainment & joyful activities
- Additional suggestion: days before fasting, ensure that you are well-hydrated & eating nutritious food, and after you break your fast, drink a little water first, and then eat slowly & responsibly while giving thanks to YAH
“But He (יהוה YAH) gives greater favor. Because of this He says, “Elohim (YAH) resists the proud, but gives favor to the humble.” So then subject yourselves to Elohim. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you. Draw near to Elohim and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse hands, sinners. And cleanse the hearts, you double-minded! Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Master, and He shall lift you up.”
Ya‛aqoḇ (James) 4:6-10 TS2009
“Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy. Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins show repentance. Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord (יהוה YAH). Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when He shall turn away His face. When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need. From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord (YAH). A wise man will fear in everything, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offense: but a fool will NOT observe time.”
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 18:20-27 KJVAAE
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ecclesiasticus-Chapter-18/
How do we keep Sukkot? It’s intense (in tents)!
After we have afflicted our souls, after we have humbled ourselves, after we have sought YAH’s forgiveness and thanked Him for His atonement, THEN we, as YAH’s chosen nation, rejoice and get ourselves ready & stay ready to be found righteous and worthy of gathering together to keep Sukkot!
Five days after Yom Kippur brings us to the 15th day of the 7th month, and now we are ready to celebrate unto YAH together during His Fall-Time Harvest Festival, The Feast of Sukkot—HalleluYAH! Gather together, set up your booths & campsites, blow your shophars again & again, and rejoice!
If you are unable to gather with an Israelite assembly, if you are unable to travel to a campsite, well… as we do with all of YAH’s feasts, do your best to keep this feast in the best way you can; and make plans towards doing better next year, YAH willing. If you cannot camp outside (as I’ve said in other blogs and the video announcements linked at the start of this blog), “camp” in your living room, or at least away from the normal comfort of your bed. If you don’t have a tent or space in your house for a tent, make one like children do with sheets draped over furniture. If you cannot stay outside overnight, spend as much of your days outside as possible, and then go back indoors to sleep at night, again, do your best to honor YAH. Now, if you’re wondering why I started with all this talk about tents & camping, you will clearly see why, in the verses below:
“‘And you shall celebrate it (Sukkot) as a festival to יהוה for seven days in the year – a law forever in your generations. Celebrate it in the seventh new moon (month). ‘Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native born in Yisra’ĕl dwell in booths, SO THAT your generations know that I made the children of Yisra’ĕl dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt). I am יהוה your Elohim.’ ””
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:41-43 TS2009
Pretty clear right? We are commanded to dwell in booths/tents during Sukkot to remember how YAH freed our ancestors from slavery in Egypt, and how they had to dwell in booths/tents as they traveled through the wilderness, until YAH gave them possession of The Promised Land. It’s a wonderful memorial feast, and it’s also a reminder of our future when we dwell with YAH forever, while still keeping Sukkot (see Zechariah 14:16-19 & Revelation 21:1-4) And of course, do not forget to read all of the preceding Sukkot verses which are in the Biblical Feast Day chapter, Leviticus 23:
“And יהוה (YAH) spoke to Mosheh (Moses), saying, Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh new moon (month) is the Festival of Sukkot for seven days to יהוה. ‘On the first day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. ‘For seven days you bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. On the eighth day there shall be a set-apart gathering for you, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. It is a closing festival, you do no servile work. ‘These are the appointed times of יהוה which you proclaim as set-apart gatherings, to bring an offering made by fire to יהוה, an ascending offering and a grain offering, a slaughtering and drink offerings, as commanded for every day – besides the Sabbaths of יהוה, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your voluntary offerings which you give to יהוה. ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh new moon (month), when you gather in the fruit of the land, celebrate the festival of יהוה for seven days. On the first day is a rest, and on the eighth day a rest. ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of good trees, branches of palm trees, twigs of leafy trees, and willows of the stream, and shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim for seven days.”
Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:33-40 TS2009
Now, when we read Leviticus 23, we aren’t explicitly told how we are to rejoice with the tree branches, foliage, and fruit, we are simply commanded to take from good trees and rejoice on the first day of Sukkot along with our harvested food. We can rejoice by grabbing some good tree branches and waving them in praise to YAH, it might remind you what our ancestors did when The Messiah made His “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem. They laid their clothes and palm branches down before Him in honor, similar to how people “roll out the red carpet” in honor of people today. We should use tree branches, foliage, and fruit to make our booths/tents, or at the very least, incorporate the foliage into the frames and roofs of our booths/tents, for structure support, shade, and decoration. Consider the usage & symbolism of tree branches, foliage, and fruit, when you read: Nehemiah 8:15, Revelation 7:9-10, John 12:12-13, Mark 11:8-10, Matthew 21:7-9, 1st Kings 6:29, Psalm 118:14-16 & 24-26, 1 Kings 7:18-20 & 42.
So in addition to dwelling in booths/tents for 7 days, what else can you do to remember and keep Sukkot set apart?:
- Rest from your work and gather together for an assembly on the 1st day and again on the 8th day of the festival celebration, as commanded by YAH
- Read from the Torah together daily during the feast, see Deuteronomy 31:10 and Nehemiah 8; and here’s a simple reading plan:
- DAY 1 Deuteronomy chapters 1-6; DAY 2 Deut. 7-10; DAY 3 Deut. 11-14; DAY 4 Deut. 15-18; DAY 5 Deut. 19-22; DAY 6 Deut. 23-26; DAY 7. Deut. 27-30; DAY 8 Deut. 31-34
- Bring your tithes & offerings with you to celebrate with during the festivals; we cannot neglect to share our blessings with our leaders & teachers, and the fatherless, widows, and foreigners that are part of our communities & assemblies, see Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Deuteronomy 16:13-17, and 1st Corinthians 9:11-13 amongst other passages
- Pray for each other, and for all of YAH’s scattered children and their assemblies
- Remember how our ancestors dwelt in tents, and how YAH provided for them while they were in the wilderness, while looking forward to our future eternal dwelling with YAH
- Celebrate, rejoice, sing, remember, and testify about YAH’s blessings
- Feast & share meals with one another
- Praise YAH, have fun, enjoy the fellowship, embrace the camp-life week, have fireside chats, roast pork-free marshmallows, etc…
Additionally check out this page for items and other planning considerations:
Remember, these are YAH’s appointed days, His commanded feasts! And the Fall Feasts, just like the Spring Feasts, are all about Him, And they all point to The Messiah!
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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Please check out these two PDFs from The Hananaiah Project. If you like them, you can send a donation if you want, and print them out, but it’s free to view.
Also, here are some additional blogs about YAH’s fall feast:
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