How Do We Calculate The Feast Days?

The calendar has been a hotly debated topic as of late; I can only imagine it is due to our hearts desiring to serve Yahuah correctly.  The Calendar Series studies we are embarking on, are not to prove anyone wrong or shame any other teachings on the subject, but to simply put forth my understanding at this time, as many of you have asked where I stand. We live in amazing times where thousands are coming back to the Most High with a zeal that hasn’t been seen in centuries and to be honest, whatever calendar you are on, I love you as a brother and sister, because you have a desire to keep his ways, as do I.

In part one, we will be taking a look at how we calculate the right dates for Yahuah’s feast days. Whether we recognize sunset to sunset or sunrise to sunrise, we can agree that the Sun is for the days; with this we can move forward. First, we need to figure out how we determine the months, which ultimately lead us to the feast days. Some say the moon is for the months, and others say it is not.  Let’s dive into the Word to see what it says, and may Yahuah open our eyes and ears to see and hear.

Here is the creation week where the luminaries are made and given their purpose:

And ELOHIYM said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for appointed feasts (moedim), and for days, and years:  BERE’SHIYTH (GENESIS) 1:14את CEPHER

Notice, he created light(s) in the firmament and they (plural) are used for signs, seasons (moedim/feasts), days and years. We can easily see that the Sun would be needed for all of these, but certainly the moon has to be for some of these, otherwise Genesis 1:14 wouldn’t say what it said (or it would have been made in vain).

He appointed the moon for seasons:(moedim) the sun knows his going down.
TEHILLIYM (PSALMS) 104:19 את CEPHER

This is as clear as scripture can get on the subject, the moon is for the feast days. Keep in mind, when Yahusha quoted the Psalms, he called it the law/Torah, showing how important Psalm 104:19 really is:

Yahusha answered them, Is it not written in your Torah, I said, You are gods?
John 10:34

The only place I am aware of this being is here:

I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Psalm 82:6

Psalm 104:19 plainly states the moon is for the feast days.

Let us now take a look at Leviticus, and the commandments to keep his feasts (moedim).

These are the feasts of YAHUAH, even holy assemblies, which ye shall proclaim in their appointed times. In the fourteenth day of the first month at evening is YAHUAH’S Pecach. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Matstsah unto YAHUAH: seven days ye must eat matstsah.  VAYIQRA (LEVITICUS) 23:4-6 את CEPHER

So with even just these few verses, it should be simple enough to conclude that the Moon is for the Feast days.  Here’s an even clearer passage from the book of Ecclesiasticus, which was included in the 1611 KJV, the Septuagint and other scriptural cannon’s.

‘He made the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a sign of the world. ‘From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreases in her perfection. The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven;  SIRACH (ECCLESIASTICUS) 43:6-8

• Again, very clear scripture. Moon = sign of the feast days and for the the month.

I understand not everyone accepts Enoch and other books found in the Dead Sea Scrolls findings as scripture, so you may want to stop here, which is no issue, as we have many witnesses already for ample proof the moon is for the months. For those who want to look further, there’s much more to cover, including how we use the moon for the months and feast days. Here, we will see much more evidence in the Book of Enoch:

THEN I saw another progress and regulation which he effected in the law of the moon. The progress of the moons, and everything, Uriy’el showed me, the holy angel who conducted them all. Their stations I wrote down as he showed them to me. I wrote down their months, as they occur, and the appearance of their light, until it is completed in fifteen days.  CHANOK (ENOCH) 74:1-3 את CEPHER

• Here it is clear that the moon is associated with the months.

On stated months it changes settings; and on stated months it makes its progress on each. In two the moon sets with the sun, in those two gates which are in the midst, in the third and fourth gate. It goes forth for seven days, and makes its circuit.  CHANOK (ENOCH) 74:5 את CEPHER

• Same with this passage.

AFTER this law I beheld another law of an inferior luminary, the name of which is the moon, and the orb of which is as the orb of heaven. Its chariot, secretly ascends, the wind blows; and light is given to it by measure. Every month at its exit and entrance it becomes changed; and its periods are as the periods of the sun. And when the moon is full, its light is a seventh portion from the light of the sun.  CHANOK (ENOCH) 73:1-3 את CEPHER

• Here the moon is also associated with the months. A neat side note; when the moon is full, it is equivalent to 1/7th of the light of the Sun.

1. And the names of the sun are the following: the first Orjârês, and the second Tômâs. 2. And the moon has four names: the first name is Asônjâ, the second Eblâ, the third Benâsê, and the fourth Erâe. 3. These are the two great luminaries: their circumference is like the circumference of the heaven, and the size of the circumference of both is alike. 4. In the circumference of the sun there are seven portions of light which are added to it more than to the moon, and in definite measures it is transferred till the seventh portion of the sun is exhausted. 5. And they set and enter the portals of the west, and make their revolution by the north, and come forth through the eastern portals on the face of the heaven.

• Here’s a rudimentary concept of what Enoch is explaining:

6. And when the moon rises one-fourteenth part appears in the heaven: the light becomes full in her: on the fourteenth day she accomplishes her light.

• Let us remember this part, that the moon rising = 1/14th of light.

7. And fifteen parts of light are transferred to her till the fifteenth day (when) her light is accomplished, according to the sign of the year, and she becomes fifteen parts, and the moon grows by (the addition of) fourteenth parts.

• This passage is clear that a full moon does not constitute the beginning of the month, but mid-month (15th day).

8. And in her waning (the moon) decreases on the first day to fourteen parts of her light,

• This is also clearly saying the first day of waning, not the first day of the month, as those who would say the full moon is the beginning of the month.  I share this in love, not to ridicule.

on the second to thirteen parts of light, on the third to twelve, on the fourth to eleven, on the fifth to ten, on the sixth to nine, on the seventh to eight, on the eighth to seven, on the ninth to six, on the tenth to five, on the eleventh to four, on the twelfth to three, on the thirteenth to two, on the fourteenth to the half of a seventh, and all her remaining light disappears wholly on the fifteenth. 9. And in certain months the month has twenty-nine days and once twenty-eight.

• Remember, this whole passage is about the Moon (“certain months…”)

10. And Uriel showed me another law: when light is transferred to the moon, and on which side it is transferred to her by the sun. 11. During all the period during which the moon is growing in her light, she is transferring it to herself when opposite to the sun during fourteen days [her light is accomplished in the heaven], and when she is illumined throughout, her light is accomplished full in the heaven. 12. And on the first day she is called the new moon, for on that day the light rises upon her.

• Remember what constituted ‘rising’ – “And when the moon rises one-fourteenth part appears in the heaven“.  This is why I can conclude the first visible sliver of the moon = the ‘New Moon’ and beginning of the month. We need to understand this if we are wanting to accurately celebrate the feast days on the correct days.

13. She becomes full moon exactly on the day when the sun sets in the west, and from the east she rises at night, and the moon shines the whole night through till the sun rises over against her and the moon is seen over against the sun. 14. On the side whence the light of the moon comes forth, there again she wanes till all the light vanishes and all the days of the month are at an end, and her circumference is empty, void of light.

• Light vanishes from the moon = month at an end. This cannot be understated, Enoch is 100% equating the month to the cycle of the moon, as well as confirming the exit of light from the moon is equivalent to the month ending.

15. And three months she makes of thirty days, and at her time she makes three months of twenty-nine days each, in which she accomplishes her waning in the first period of time, and in the first portal for one hundred and seventy-seven days. 16. And in the time of her going out she appears for three months (of) thirty days each, and for three months she appears (of) twenty-nine each.”
CHANOK (ENOCH) 77 R.H.CHARLES

• I enjoy this passage greatly, as it destroys modern-day teachings about the moon through NASA and science in general.

1. And now, my son, I have shown thee everything, and the law of all the stars of the heaven is completed. 2. And he showed me all the laws of these for every day, and for every season of bearing rule, and for every year, and for its going forth, and for the order prescribed to it every month and every week: 3. And the waning of the moon which takes place in the sixth portal: for in this sixth portal her light is accomplished, and after that there is the beginning of the waning: 4. 〈And the waning〉 which takes place in the first portal in its season, till one hundred and seventy-seven days are accomplished: reckoned according to weeks, twenty-five (weeks) and two days. 5. She falls behind the sun and the order of the stars exactly five days in the course of one period, and when this place which thou seest has been traversed. 6. Such is the picture and sketch of every luminary which Uriel the archangel, who is their leader, showed unto me.
CHANOK (ENOCH) 79 R.H. Charles

For there will be those who will assuredly make observations of the moon how it disturbs the seasons and comes in from year to year ten days too soon. For this reason the years will come upon them when they will disturb the order, and make an abominable day the day of testimony, and an unclean day a feast day, and they will confound all the days, the holy with the unclean, and the unclean day with the holy; for they will go wrong as to the months and Shabbathoth and feasts and jubilees. For this reason I command and testify to you that you may testify to them; for after your death your children will disturb them, so that they will not make the year three hundred and sixty four days only, and for this reason they will go wrong as to the New Moons and seasons and Shabbathoth and feasts, and they will eat all kinds of blood with all kinds of flesh. YOVHELIYM (JUBILEES) 6:36-38 את CEPHER

Is it the moon that was made by Yahuah in error (or in vain if we don’t use it for his calendar), or is it man who would be at fault?  I believe it is our lack of understanding what the first book of prophecy stated concerning this, Enoch 79 we just read touched on this.  Also, we can’t look past this portion of Jubilees 6; “your children will disturb them“.

The moon (the sun and the stars – R.H. Charles translation) brings on all the years exactly, that their stations may come neither too forwards nor too backwards a single day; but that the years may be changed with correct precision in three hundred and sixty-four days. In three years the days are one thousand and ninety-two; in five years they are one thousand eight hundred and twenty; and in eight years two thousand nine hundred and twelve days. To the moon alone belong in three years one thousand and sixty-two days; in five years it has fifty days less,

• Enoch is telling us that the moon falls behind 10 days per year.

for an addition being made to the sixty-two days, in five years there are one thousand seven hundred and seventy days; and the days of the moon in eight years are two thousand eight hundred and thirty-two days. For its days in eight years are less eighty days, which eighty days are its diminution in eight years. The year then becomes truly complete according to the station of the moon, and the station of the sun; which rise in the gates; which rise and set in them for thirty days.  CHANOK (ENOCH) 74:13-16 את CEPHER

The one who doesn’t understand this and apply it will go wrong; again, not the fault of the heavenly luminary that Yahuah made. Also, Enoch states that year becomes complete through the sun and moon; “the year then becomes truly complete according to the station of the moon, and the station of the sun; which rise in the gates”

• Enoch stated that the Sun goes through the 4th portal to signify the first month and beginning of the year.  We will show/explain what this means in a moment.

Here’s a visual that may help for now; the 4th portal is the equator and when the sun reaches this point, it is the Spring Equinox:

Let’s read Enoch 72 to see the yearly travels of the sun:

1. The book of the courses of the luminaries of the heaven, the relations of each, according to their classes, their dominion and their seasons, according to their names and places of origin, and according to their months, which Uriel, the holy angel, who was with me, who is their guide, showed me; and he showed me all their laws exactly as they are, and how it is with regard to all the years of the world and unto eternity, till the new creation is accomplished which dureth till eternity. 2. And this is the first law of the luminaries: the luminary the Sun has its rising in the eastern portals of the heaven, and its setting in the western portals of the heaven. 3. And I saw six portals in which the sun rises, and six portals in which the sun sets and the moon rises and sets in these portals, and the leaders of the stars and those whom they lead: six in the east and six in the west, and all following each other in accurately corresponding order: also many windows to the right and left of these portals. 4. And first there goes forth the great luminary, named the Sun, and his circumference is like the circumference of the heaven, and he is quite filled with illuminating and heating fire. 5. The chariot on which he ascends, the wind drives, and the sun goes down from the heaven and returns through the north in order to reach the east, and is so guided that he comes to the appropriate (lit. ‘that’) portal and shines in the face of the heaven. 6. In this way he rises in the first month in the great portal, which is the fourth ⌈those six portals in the cast⌉. 7. And in that fourth portal from which the sun rises in the first month are twelve window-openings, from which proceed a flame when they are opened in their season. 8. When the sun rises in the heaven, he comes forth through that fourth portal thirty mornings in succession, and sets accurately in the fourth portal in the west of the heaven. 9. And during this period the day becomes daily longer and the night nightly shorter to the thirtieth morning. 10. On that day the day is longer than the night by a ninth part, and the day amounts exactly to ten parts and the night to eight parts. 11. And the sun rises from that fourth portal, and sets in the fourth and returns to the fifth portal of the east thirty mornings, and rises from it and sets in the fifth portal. 12. And then the day becomes longer by †two† parts and amounts to eleven parts, and the night becomes shorter and amounts to seven parts. 13. And it returns to the east and enters into the sixth portal, and rises and sets in the sixth portal one-and-thirty mornings on account of its sign. 14. On that day the day becomes longer than the night, and the day becomes double the night, and the day becomes twelve parts, and the night is shortened and becomes six parts. 15. And the sun mounts up to make the day shorter and the night longer, and the sun returns to the east and enters into the sixth portal, and rises from it and sets thirty mornings. 16. And when thirty mornings are accomplished, the day decreases by exactly one part, and becomes eleven parts, and the night seven. 17. And the sun goes forth from that sixth portal in the west, and goes to the east and rises in the fifth portal for thirty mornings, and sets in the west again in the fifth western portal. 18. On that day the day decreases by †two† parts, and amounts to ten parts and the night to eight parts. 19. And the sun goes forth from that fifth portal and sets in the fifth portal of the west, and rises in the fourth portal for one-and-thirty mornings on account of its sign, and sets in the west. 20. On that day the day is equalized with the night, [and becomes of equal length], and the night amounts to nine parts and the day to nine parts. 21. And the sun rises from that portal and sets in the west, and returns to the east and rises thirty mornings in the third portal and sets in the west in the third portal. 22. And on that day the night becomes longer than the day, and night becomes longer than night, and day shorter than day till the thirtieth morning, and the night amounts exactly to ten parts and the day to eight parts. 23. And the sun rises from that third portal and sets in the third portal in the west and returns to the east, and for thirty mornings rises in the second portal in the east, and in like manner sets in the second portal in the west of the heaven. 24. And on that day the night amounts to eleven parts and the day to seven parts. 25. And the sun rises on that day from that second portal and sets in the west in the second portal, and returns to the east into the first portal for one-and-thirty mornings, and sets in the first portal in the west of the heaven. 26. And on that day the night becomes longer and amounts to the double of the day: and the night amounts exactly to twelve parts and the day to six. 27. And the sun has (therewith) traversed the divisions of his orbit and turns again on those divisions of his orbit, and enters that portal thirty mornings and sets also in the west opposite to it. 28. And on that night has the night decreased in length by a †ninth† part, and the night has become eleven parts and the day seven parts. 29. And the sun has returned and entered into the second portal in the east, and returns on those his divisions of his orbit for thirty mornings, rising and setting. 30. And on that day the night decreases in length, and the night amounts to ten parts and the day to eight. 31. And on that day the sun rises from that portal, and sets in the west, and returns to the east, and rises in the third portal for one-and-thirty mornings, and sets in the west of the heaven. 32. On that day the night decreases and amounts to nine parts, and the day to nine parts, and the night is equal to the day and the year is exactly as to its days three hundred and sixty-four. 33. And the length of the day and of the night, and the shortness of the day and of the night arise–through the course of the sun these distinctions are made (lit. ‘they are separated’). 34. So it comes that its course becomes daily longer, and its course nightly shorter. 35. And this is the law and the course of the sun, and his return as often as he returns sixty times and rises, i.e. the great luminary which is named the sun, for ever and ever. 36. And that which (thus) rises is the great luminary, and is so named according to its appearance, according as the Lord commanded. 37. As he rises, so he sets and decreases not, and rests not, but runs day and night, and his light is sevenfold brighter than that of the moon; but as regards size they are both equal.

To put it simply, the sun goes in this order (gates/portal) – 4th, 5th, 6th (x2), 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st (x2), 2nd, 3rd – 12 months of the year and it starts back again at the 4th portal. This is why we will be using the Spring Equinox (sun enters the 4th portal) as a prerequisite for the 1st new moon of the year to be valid. No need to rely on barley being ripe or anything else man puts his hands to.

Although we have technology today that makes viewing these signs in the heavens easy, even in ancient times, they knew exactly when the sun entered the 4th gate (equinox) alongside much more wisdom about the heavens that we have utterly lost over time. Point being, they would have no issues using the method I mentioned a few moments ago (New moon must be after the Spring Equinox – Sun enters the 4th portal, otherwise another month must be added to catch up).

In three years the days are one thousand and ninety-two days.
Enoch 74:13