Introduction to Part I
I
n the minds of most Jews, Christians, and Moslems, the festivals and sacred days of Yahweh came into existence with the Torah (Law of Moses) and pertain to the Jews. As a consequence, many, including most Christians and Moslems, believe that these festivals and sacred days are simply not relevant for anyone unless they belong to the Jewish faith. In the view of the majority of Christians, because they are now under grace, it has been assumed that these festivals and sacred days were annulled at the death of the messiah. The belief that the festivals and sacred days of Yahweh are no longer required has been carried along by a long-standing tradition established by many of the Christian churches. But is this interpretation valid? Was this the view of the apostles and the earliest assemblies following the messiah? Before any serious student of Scriptures, especially those professing a belief in Yahushua as the messiah, so quickly dismisses these important days, it behooves him to follow the scriptural instruction to “prove all things.”1 It is incumbent upon that person to first thoroughly address the question, “Are those under grace required to observe the festivals and sacred days of Yahweh?” To set the stage for our investigation and to honestly answer this question two issues must be addressed. First, we must uncover the scriptural authority for keeping the moadi of Yahweh. Understanding this authority will empower us to prove whether or not any requirement is still in force. Second, we must look at the New Testament passages that are used by various Christian groups as the basis for their authority to dismiss the observance of the festivals and sacred days of Yahweh.
A twqj (Khoquth)
The moadi (festivals and sacred days) of Yahweh derive their legal power by means of a twqj (khoquth), tqj (khoquth), etc., the feminine form of qj (khoq), plural μyqj (khoqim): a statute or legal enactment dealing with an appointment of time, space, quantity, labor, or usage.2 To demonstrate this connection, the prophet Ezekiel—while speaking of the millennium age to come, a time when the messiah shall be ruling from Jerusalem—writes that the Levitical Tsadoq (Zadok) priests of that time will be attending to the khoquth-based moadi of Yahweh: 2 Thess., 5:21. The term qj (khoq), fem. tqj, twqj (khoquth), collective noun μyqj (khoqim), etc., means “an enactment; hence an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)” (SEC, Heb. #2706, 2708); “statute, law . . . custom, privilege” (HEL, p. 93). 1 2
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