INTRODUCTION

Whether positively, or negatively, many have been discussing the solar calendar as of late. There are a handful of variations, interpretations, applications and even several popular names. However, it is most commonly known as The Zadok Priestly Calendar.

Usually in unison with these conversations, is the community of Qumran, the location of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The story of this community has captivated believers, sprouting new interest in following their practices. Because of this, several variations of the solar calendar have sprung forth into the body of Messiah. To some, this topic offers peace, yet confusion and many questions for others.

Some claim the doctrine found in this Dead Sea community to be the sacred teachings of the prophesied, and esteemed Zadok Priesthood, found in Ezekiel 44; hence the popular name; Zadok Priestly Calendar. Alongside this, the Book of Jubilees finds itself intertwined deeply into this conversation, and we believe it’s time we discussed it.

Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But YHWH examines the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by YHWH more than sacrifice

†Proverbs 21:2-3

Before we begin, I’d like to clarify that I do not believe getting the calendar right is a salvation based topic. Nevertheless, we are still led to pursue the truth in this matter, in love and shalom, because we do find it important to meet with YHWH punctually, during his appointed times. Whether we agree or disagree on this topic, much love you in Messiah Yahusha.

Question for those online: What are your thoughts regarding Jubilees & the solar calendar at this time?

THE NAMES

In this study, we will be using the Hebrew names and/or titles for our Heavenly Father and His Son. Please forgive us for any confusion, however, we have recognized that using the Hebrew names to the best of our understanding, to be an immense blessing in our walk. We also respect and understand that there are varying interpretations of the pronunciations, and pray our current understanding does not offend or take away from this study. If you believe we pronounce the name incorrectly, consider just praying for us.

• Elohim = Hebrew word for God
• YHWH = Name of our Heavenly Father (Pronounced Yahuah – others say Yahweh, Yehovah etc.)
• Yahusha = Name of the Son of YHWH, our Savior, Messiah & King (also known as Yeshua, Jesus)

THE EXODUS (FROM THE MOON)

Over the past 7 years, we’ve witnessed believers move to a solar based calendar, dropping the use of the moon for the months. We receive more mail, comments and questions on this topic, than any other. We have taken the nudges seriously, and have been studying this matter at great length, and are ready to share our findings.

Before we delve into the inter-workings of the solar calendar, we need to begin with The Book of Jubilees.

(PART 1) THE BOOK OF JUBILEES

What I’m about to share with you today is the testimony I (Adam Fink) hold regarding the solar calendar. Whether I’m correct, or incorrect, YHWH knows, and it is for you to test. We are starting with the Book of Jubilees, as it is the center point for the solar calendar, not 1st Enoch, as many would profess.

For several years I studied and shared what I learned from Jubilees with the Parable of the Vineyard family. I was zealously excited that 15 fragments were found in the Qumran Caves, alongside other books and scriptures! I was even more fascinated at the vivid stories shared by solar calendar teachers regarding Qumran, or, “Damascus” as it’s also known. The report of John the Baptist, and the breakaway society that supposedly were filled with the protected and revered Zadok priests, the preservers of truth.

In 2019, I began a line-by-line study of Jubilees with my former ministry partner. Things were going well until the study was abruptly stopped, as the content of the book began to separate us on some topics. I carried the same heart back then, as I do today, a call for unity in the midst of small doctrinal disagreements. However, to no avail, this book was the beginning of the end for us.

Shortly after, I was considering finishing the Jubilees study, however, several promptings from the Holy Spirit kept me from doing so — at least that’s how I was interpreting them at that time. Nevertheless, I continued to study and test Jubilees, however, with a greater lens of caution.

One of the missions I have been led to undertake, is to evaluate ‘extra-biblical’ books like Jubilees, the Apocrypha and others. Putting them to the test, and comparing them to the 66-book canon, then sharing my findings with the body.

Test all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

This being the case, I must report that Jubilees is one of the few books that I’ve investigated that breaks this commandment:

You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHWH your Elohim which I command you

Deuteronomy 4:2

The Sadducees (Zadokim) and Samaritans interpreted this verse to mean that there would be no other books written after the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). This is why they only read from these five books and reject the other writings and the prophets from being inspired. However, I think most of us understand the scriptures to be saying something else: don’t add extra restrictions/commandments to the one’s he’s already given. Something the Israelite’s transgressed over and over again.

You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draws close unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 15:7-9

After carefully examining books like 1st Enoch, the apocrypha and many more, Jubilees was one of the few to fail this specific test. Adding to, or taking away from the Torah cannot be overlooked, no matter how much we enjoy a book, and no matter how much of it has become central to our practices or beliefs.

And in those days the children shall begin to study the laws, And to seek the commandments, And to return to the path of righteousness.

Jubilees 23:26

This verse was attached to the end of nearly every video I made for several years. Jubilees was very close to my heart and unfortunately, I ignored the red-flags at first. Nevertheless, if a text adds to the Torah (law), it must be made manifest. Let’s take a look at some of these issues.

Jubilees 50

And every man who does any work thereon, or goes a journey, or tills (his) farm, whether in his house or any other place, and whoever lights a fire, or rides on any beast, or travels by ship on the sea, and whoever strikes or kills anything, or slaughters a beast or a bird, or whoever catches an animal or a bird or a fish, or whoever fasts or makes war on the Sabbaths: The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die, so that the children of Israel shall observe the Sabbaths according to the commandments regarding the Sabbaths of the land, as it is written in the tablets, which He gave into my hands that I should write out for thee the laws of the seasons, and the seasons according to the division of their days

Jubilees 50:12-13

Jubilees states that these things are sin (transgression of the law) leading to death:

1. Engaging in war on the Sabbath
2. Going on a journey on the Sabbath
3. Fasting on the Sabbath

War on the Sabbath?

The Book of Jubilees states conducting war on the Sabbath is a sin leading to death.

or whoever fasts or makes war on the Sabbaths: The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die

Jubilees 50

(Battle at Jericho)
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword

Joshua 6:15, 20-21

Even though the text clearly states “on the seventh day”, meaning the Sabbath, one could make an argument that it wasn’t the Sabbath day. Even if this was true, they certainly marched in war formation the other six days, one of them would have been the Sabbath, and for the purpose of making war. They journeyed, and engaged in an act of war on the Sabbath, which Jubilees’ laws prohibit.

and whoever strikes or kills anything, or slaughters a beast or a bird, or whoever catches an animal or a bird or a fish, or whoever fasts or makes war on the Sabbaths: The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die

Jubilees 50

• The Book of Joshua states they were commanded to destroy (kill) on the seventh day
• Jubilees says whoever fasts or makes war (or strikes or kills anything) on the Sabbaths shall die

For Elohim is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all assemblies of the saints

1 Corinthians 14:33

War on the Sabbath Continued
Next, we will look at 1st Maccabees, which was included in the Greek Septuagint (the accepted bible/canon during the time of Messiah), the apocrypha of the 1611 KJV, and many other Bibles. According to the testimony given in 1st Maccabees, initially, the Israelites wouldn’t fight back on the Sabbath when the Greeks attacked, and were consequently slaughtered. After some time, they realized something was wrong with this mindset, and possibly, man-made doctrine they were following.

So they (Greeks) attacked them (Israelites) on the sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and cattle, to the number of a thousand persons. When Mattathi′as and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply. And each said to his neighbor: “If we all do as our brethren have done and refuse to fight with the Gentiles for our lives and our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth.” So they made this decision that day: “Let us fight against every man who comes to attack us on the sabbath day; let us not all die as our brethren died in their hiding places.”

1st Maccabees 2:38-41

Take a guess what happened after they committed to fight back on the Sabbath? YHWH blessed them and they utterly destroyed their enemies. Truly, if YHWH opposed war on the Sabbath, he would not have blessed them in continuous victory after making this decision.

When you come close unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then you shall besiege it:

Deuteronomy 20:10-12

When you besiege a town or city, it could last days, months, even years. The anxiety of war drags on endlessly until it’s consummated. Point being, the Israelites would be in violation of Jubilees 50 if the siege lasted more than seven days (which they usually do), as a siege is an act of war. Let’s not forget Jericho and the seven days. Jubilees, in my opinion, adds to YHWH’s Torah, which is a severe violation, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

(Reminder) The Passover night is a Sabbath

“For YHWH will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, YHWH will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”

Exodus 12:23

Let’s not forget YHWH isn’t a hypocrite. He fought (killed) on the Sabbath, why would he make a law that He transgresses himself?

and whoever strikes or kills anything, or slaughters a beast or a bird, or whoever catches an animal or a bird or a fish, or whoever fasts or makes war on the Sabbaths: The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die

Jubilees 50

Journey’s on the Sabbath:

The Book of Jubilees states going on a journey on the Sabbath is a sin leading to death.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read

Luke 4:16

And it happened that He was passing through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain

Mark 2:23

Yahusha’s custom (method, policy, habit, rule, system) was to attend the synagogue on Shabbats, requiring him to travel, or journey on Shabbat. Is he committing sin? YHWH’s law is black and white, not abstract.

History: YHWH commanded a journey on a high Sabbath.

And they departed from Ramses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the Passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians

Numbers 33:3

“And on the fifteenth day of the same month (first) is the feast of unleavened bread unto YHWH: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.”

Leviticus 23:6-7

Leaving Egypt with millions in the middle of the night is traveling, or journeying. Would YHWH contradict himself, or command the children of Israel to break one of his own laws? As we know, the 15th day of the first month is a high holy day, a Sabbath. Jubilees seems to be contradicting, but let’s keep looking.

The Sabbath Is Only For Natural Born Israelites?

And the Creator of all things blessed it (sabbath day), but he did not sanctify all peoples and nations to keep Sabbath thereon, but Israel alone: them alone he permitted to eat and drink and to keep Sabbath thereon on the earth.

Jubilees 2:31

Contrast this verse with what the Torah states:

And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto YHWH; as ye do, so he shall do. One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourns with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before YHWH. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourns with you.

Numbers 15:14-16

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath

Mark 2:27

The Sabbath was instituted at creation, long before Moses and Abraham, and was made for all the sons of Adam, those who would follow his ways.

Jubilees is specifically in opposition to this, and what Isaiah teaches and prophecies:

Blessed is the man that does this, and the son of man that lays hold on it; that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that has joined himself to YHWH, speak, saying, YHWH has utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus says YHWH unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to YHWH, to serve him, and to love the name of YHWH, to be his servants, every one that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. YHWH Elohim, which gathers the outcasts of Israel says, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

Isaiah 56:2-8

Jubilees is in direct opposition with the true heart YHWH displays to the nations through the Torah and prophets.

And the Creator of all things blessed it (sabbath day), but he did not sanctify all peoples and nations to keep Sabbath thereon, but Israel alone: them alone he permitted to eat and drink and to keep Sabbath thereon on the earth.

Jubilees 2:31

More anti-gentile doctrine

And He sanctified it, and gathered it from amongst all the children of men; for there are many nations and many peoples, and all are His, and over all hath He placed spirits in authority to lead them astray from Him. But over Israel He did not appoint any angel or spirit, for He alone is their ruler, and He will preserve them and require them at the hand of His angels and His spirits, and at the hand of all His powers in order that He may preserve them and bless them, and that they may be His and He may be theirs from henceforth for ever

Jubilees 15:31-32

Contrast Jubilees 15 to Ezekiel 18

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says YHWH Elohim: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

Ezekiel 18:23

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Elohim our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth

1 Timothy 2:3-4

And he said, It is a light thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth

Isaiah 49:6

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd

John 10:16

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For Elohim so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

John 3:15-17

There’s actually quite a few more verses with these sentiments. YHWH displays an outstretched hand for all people, not just the genetic line of the Israelites. Compare these foundational verses with the heart Jubilees uncovers.

“for there are many nations and many peoples, and all are His, and over all hath He placed spirits in authority to lead them astray from Him. But over Israel He did not appoint any angel or spirit” – Jubilees 15

Abraham, The Father of Exclusion?

And do thou, my son Jacob, remember my words, And observe the commandments of Abraham, thy father:

Separate thyself from the nations,
And eat not with them:

And do not according to their works,
And become not their associate;

For their works are unclean,
And all their ways are a Pollution and an abomination and uncleanness.

Jubilees 22:16

Here’s some of that leaven that Yahusha warned us about.

“Separate thyself from the nations, And eat not with them“

We know that Peter was commanded to visit Cornelius, one from the nations. Would YHWH instruct someone to break his Torah?

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that Elohim is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.

Acts 10:34-35

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of some men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel

Galatians 2:11-14

Galatians was written approximately 10 years after Peter went to Cornelius’ house. He knew better, which is why Paul rebuked him. Consider also, that Paul interprets this precept (not eating with those from other nations) as hypocrisy. Hard question: was this law (not eating with gentiles) a legitimate ordinance put forth by YHWH in the Book of Jubilees, that he then changed his mind about afterwards?

For I am YHWH, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Malachi 3:6

Perhaps Paul already rebuked this man-made doctrine publicly elsewhere?

For he is our peace, who has made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto Elohim in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby

Ephesians 2:14-16

Perhaps this edict (ordinance, dogma) from Jubilees is part of the doctrine Yahusha actually came to abolish.

Compare again with Jubilees

And do thou, my son Jacob, remember my words, And observe the commandments of Abraham, thy father: Separate thyself from the nations, And eat not with them:

Jubilees 22

After carefully studying Abraham’s character, I no longer believe he gave the above commandment to his posterity (Isaac). Here’s some sturdy evidence:

Isaac (Abraham’s son) & Abimelech (Philistine)

Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army. And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you? And they said, We saw certainly that YHWH was with you: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and you, and let us make a covenant with you; That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched you, and as we have done unto you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace: you are now the blessed of YHWH. And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink. And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Genesis 26:26-31

Here is a perfect example in the Torah, of a righteous man (Isaac), sitting down and eating with one from the nations (Philistines), a gentile. Jubilees is in direct opposition to this. Certainly, if the witness from Jubilees is true, that Abraham told his children to not eat with the gentiles, Isaac would have listened, and obeyed. However, the Torah, which we can fully trust, exposes the false doctrine. This should be enough to show that Jubilees cannot be relied upon, yet there’s more.

YHWH’s plan for the nations!

Thus says Elohim YHWH, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I YHWH have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles

Isaiah 42:5-6

His heart is for the Gentiles to be saved, HalleluYah!

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Matthew 28:19-20

(To Abraham) And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you hast obeyed my voice

Genesis 22:18

Fasting on the Sabbath

or whoever fasts or makes war on the Sabbaths: The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die

Jubilees 50

The Book of Jubilees states fasting on the Sabbath is a sin leading to death

No need for quotes here, as we all know that Moses, Elijah and Messiah fasted 40 days, which would have included several Sabbaths. Are they in error? Well, one could say Jubilees 50 must be talking about fasts less than 7 days. Perhaps, however it doesn’t give us any indication of this. All it says, if you fast on Shabbat, you will die. Is Messiah the sinless one or not?

No Marriage Bed On Shabbat?

And behold the commandment regarding the Sabbaths -I have written (them) down for thee- and all the judgments of its laws. Six days shalt thou labor, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath of YHWH your Elohim. In it ye shall do no manner of work, ye and your sons, and your men- servants and your maid-servants, and all your cattle and the sojourner also who is with you. And the man that does any work on it shall die: whoever desecrates that day, whoever lies with (his) wife, or whoever says he will do something on it, that he will set out on a journey thereon in regard to any buying or selling: and whoever draws water thereon which he had not prepared for himself on the sixth day, and whoever takes up any burden to carry it out of his tent or out of his house shall die.

Jubilees 50:6-8

Of the 137 times the Sabbath is mentioned in the canon, not once does YHWH tell his people to refrain from the marriage bed on Shabbat. Consider that going to the temple weekly on Shabbat was not required, so assigning this added law to fit that narrative, doesn’t actually work. Three times a year (Pesach, Shavuot & Sukkot) the men were required to visit the temple, not the weekly Shabbat. This point has nothing to do with lust, or the inability to refrain from the marriage bed for one day a week, this is all about getting the leaven (man-made doctrine) out of our lives.

Other Miscellaneous Issues

Jubilees changes the biblical narrative in several instances. Let’s take a look.

Jacob didn’t lie?

And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who are you, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as you bade me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me

Genesis 27:18-19

Even though the Jubilees version may be more palatable for this situation regarding Jacob and lying, we cannot ignore the record was changed.

And he said: ‘Are you my son Esau? ‘ and he said: ‘I am thy son‘: and he said, ‘Bring near to me that I may eat of that which thou hast caught, my son, that my soul may bless thee.’

Jubilees 26:19

I, like the writer of Jubilees prefer a narrative where Jacob doesn’t outright lie to his father. Jubilees paints a picture of Jacob, who simply omits partial truth to his answer. Yet, we are not authorized to modify the story to suit our seemingly good intentions. This is an alteration of the text and cannot be ignored.

Marriage Among The Nations & The Punishment

Neither shall you make marriages with them; your daughter you shall not give unto his son, nor his daughter shall you take unto your son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of YHWH be kindled against you, and destroy you suddenly.

Deuteronomy 7:2-3

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love YHWH your Elohim. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that YHWH your Elohim will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim has given you.

Joshua 23:11-13

Contrast with what Jubilees says:

And if there is any man who wishes in Israel to give his daughter or his sister to any man who is of the seed of the Gentiles he shall surely die, and they shall stone him with stones; for he hath wrought shame in Israel; and they shall burn the woman with fire, because she has dishonored the name of the house of her father, and she shall be rooted out of Israel.

Jubilees 30:7

While the Torah does give warnings to Israel if they begin to intermarry, it is silent regarding the stoning and burning command. YHWH’s multiple examples show that this decision (letting your daughter marry one from the nations) will lead to a falling away, not being stoned, nor burnt with fire. While some of you may think this is trivial, it’s not, it is adding to the Torah.

Additional Sukkot Commands?

(Abraham) And he built booths for himself and for his servants on this festival, and he was the first to celebrate the feast of tabernacles on the earth

Jubilees 16:21

And we went our way, and we announced to Sarah all that we had told him, and they both rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And he built there an altar to YHWH, who had delivered him, and who was making him rejoice in the land of his sojourning, and he celebrated a festival of joy in this month seven days, near the altar which he had built at the Well of the Oath. And he built booths for himself and for his servants on this festival, and he was the first to celebrate the feast of tabernacles on the earth. And we (angels) blessed him for ever, and all his seed after him throughout all the generations of the earth, because he celebrated this festival in its season, according to the testimony of the heavenly tablets. For this reason it is ordained on the heavenly tablets concerning Israel, that they shall celebrate the feast of tabernacles seven days with joy, in the seventh month, acceptable before YHWH -a statute for ever throughout their generations every year. And to this there is no limit of days; for it is ordained for ever regarding Israel that they should celebrate it and dwell in booths, and set wreaths upon their heads, and take leafy boughs, and willows from the brook. And Abraham took branches of palm trees, and the fruit of goodly trees, and every day going round the altar with the branches seven times [a day] in the morning, he praised and gave thanks to his Elohim for all things in joy

Jubilees 16:19-21, 28-31

Nowhere in scripture does it command us that we are to wear wreath on our heads during Sukkot! It seemeth to me (opinion), that the writers of Jubilees may have had some influence from the surrounding nations.

Interestingly enough, the ancient Greeks celebrated Protomagia (May Day), where they thanked the gods for the summer harvest, put wreaths upon their heads and homes, and also danced around in a circle, around the may pole.

Influenced by the neighboring nations?
During the time of the Qumran Community, Greece was flourishing and dominating the world. They ‘Hellenized’ many cultures, and history records that many nations (including Israel) gladly joined in their reveling. This evidence isn’t conclusive, however, it is at least highly suspect considering the other issues covered thus far.

From them came forth a sinful root, Anti′ochus Epiph′anes, son of Anti′ochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us.” This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil – 1st Maccabees 1:10-15

Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. You shall not do so unto YHWH your Elohim: for every abomination to YHWH, which he hates, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods

Deuteronomy 12:30-31

YHWH doesn’t want any worship towards him that has been mixed from pagan practices! In my opinion, this wreath around the head commandment shouldn’t just be glossed over.

Question: How many of you will be putting wreaths around your head this Sukkot?

Also, thankfully, they didn’t adopt all their practices back then, exhibited by this passage:

On this account, it is prescribed on the heavenly tablets as touching all those who know the judgment of the law, that they should cover their shame, and should not uncover themselves as the Gentiles uncover themselves

Jubilees 3:31

It’s no secret the Greeks were well known for their public nudity during the era of the Qumran Community. While we are in full agreement with covering up, do you think YHWH would command Isaiah to break his own law, if in fact what Jubilees asserts is authoritative?

At the same time spake YHWH by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And YHWH said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt

Isaiah 20:2-4

The question at hand; does Jubilees represent the Father’s Torah (law), or not? Since YHWH doesn’t contradict himself, nor break his own law, we have major issues here.

Jubilees instructs us that we are to remember The Feast of Tabernacles in remembrance of Abraham, Sarah, and the promise of Isaac. How he celebrated for seven days making offerings and commanding to wear a wreath and circle the altar seven times, yet the scriptures say otherwise.

You shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelite’s born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YHWH your Elohim

Leviticus 23:42-43

If Jubilees has obvious contradictions like this, how can we continue to trust, and consider this scripture? Let me ask you a question.

All Moabite Descendants Rooted Out?

But Lot we saved; for Elohim remembered Abraham, and sent him out from the midst of the overthrow. And he and his daughters committed sin upon the earth, such as had not been on the earth since the days of Adam till his time; for the man lay with his daughters. And, behold, it was commanded and engraven concerning all his seed, on the heavenly tablets, to remove them and root them out, and to execute judgment upon them like the judgment of Sodom, and to leave no seed of the man on earth on the day of condemnation.

Jubilees 16:7-9

The Seed of Lot are the children of Ammon, and the children of Moab.

Genesis 19:37-38

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years

Ruth 1:1,4

The book of the generation of Yahusha Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse

Matthew 1:1,5

This has to be taken into consideration, lest we forget King David and the Messiah himself being descendants of Lot, through Ruth, the Moabite. Wouldn’t Jubilees’ condemnation “concerning all his seed” include them?

Jubilee’s prophecies contradict what was spoken through the mouth of Jeremiah, a trustworthy prophet of YHWH.

The True Prophecy Concerning Moab’s Hope

Then, like fluttering birds or scattered nestlings, The daughters of Moab will be at the crossing places of the Arnon. Give us advice, make a decision; Cast your shadow like night at high noon; Hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive. Let the outcasts of Moab stay with you; Be a hiding place to them from the destroyer.” For the oppressor has come to an end, destruction has ceased, Oppressors have been removed from the land. A throne will be established in faithfulness, And a judge will sit on it in trustworthiness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice, And be prompt in righteousness.

Isaiah 16:2-5

Woe to you, Moab! The people of Chemosh have perished; For your sons have been taken away captive, And your daughters into captivity. Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab In the latter days,” declares YHWH.

Jeremiah 48:16-47

End-Times Prophecy Concerning Ammon (Seed of Lot)

Behold, I am going to bring terror upon you,” Declares YHWH ELOHIM of armies, “From all directions around you; And you will be driven away one after another, With no one to gather the fugitives together. But afterward I will restore The fortunes of the sons of Ammon,” Declares the YHWH

Jeremiah 49:5-6

Contrast those promises of hope with Jubilees

it was commanded and engraven concerning all his seed, on the heavenly tablets, to remove them and root them out, and to execute judgment upon them like the judgment of Sodom, and to leave no seed of the man on earth on the day of condemnation

Jubilees 16

YHWH does not contradict himself brothers and sisters. It comes down to this; either Jubilees is divinely inspired scripture that we can rely on, or it isn’t. At this time, I cannot hold any confidence in the reliability of Jubilees, and the information it teaches.

Question: Does the information provided thus far give you any concerns surrounding The Book of Jubilees?

RECAPPING PART 1

YHWH commands us not to add to his Torah, nor take away from it. Jubilees contradicts scripture in many ways. Let’s refresh our memories before moving on.

• No fasting on Shabbat (Remember, Messiah, Moses and Elijah did)

• No war on Shabbat (Contradicting Joshua 6 and Torah siege laws)

• No traveling on Shabbat (Israel was commanded to and Messiah did)

• No killing on Shabbat (Israel was commanded to and YHWH did)

• The Sabbath is for natural born Israelites only (Contradicts multiple scriptures)

• General anti-gentile doctrine (which contradicts YHWH’s true heart towards them)

• Abraham commanding his children not to eat with gentiles (Genesis 26 exposes this as false)

• Commanding abstinence on Shabbat (Adding restrictions to the Torah)

• Altering Jacob’s words from a lie to an omission (Lying about not lying)

• Stoning and burning by fire for giving your daughter to a gentile (Adding punishments to the Torah)

• Additional Sukkot command to wear a wreath around your head (Just no)

• Changing the reason Sukkot is celebrated (Changing the narrative)

• Added commandment regarding nakedness (contradicting his command to Isaiah)

• Lot’s entire lineage being rooted out forever (contradicts scripture and prophecy, as David and Messiah are descendants of Lot through Moab)

(PART 2) JUBILEES: THE SUN, MOON & STARS

As mentioned earlier, Jubilees promotes a solar-only calendar. To clarify, a solar calendar is a method of timekeeping, where only the sun is used to calculate days, weeks, months and years. While some solar calendar promoters say the moon and stars are used to track 50 year jubilee cycles, or other trivial concerns, don’t be fooled. They aren’t used to calculate the actual day to day, month to month, and year to year calendar. Let’s examine what Jubilees says:

And Elohim appointed the sun to be a great sign on the earth for days and for sabbaths and for months and for feasts and for years and for sabbaths of years and for jubilees and for all seasons of the years. And it divides the light from the darkness [and] for prosperity, that all things may prosper which shoot and grow on the earth.

Jubilees 2:9-10

You’ll notice Jubilees only mentions the sun in relation to the sabbaths, months, feasts (modeim) years and so on. No instructions to use the moon for timekeeping, only the sun. Let’s compare Jubilees 2 with Genesis 1.

And Elohim said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons (appointed times), and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And Elohim made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

Genesis 1:14-16

The Torah states the sun and moon are for signs, seasons (the appointed times – moedim), days and years. Yet, Jubilees says it is the sun alone. Brothers and sisters, this point cannot be glossed over. Jubilees attempts to undermine Genesis 1, and should not be overlooked.

You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish anything from it, that ye may keep the commandments of YHWH your Elohim which I command you

Deuteronomy 4:2

YHWH commanded the moon to be used in unison for: signs, seasons (appointed times), and for days, and years.

…thus have ye made the commandment of Elohim of none effect by your tradition

Matthew 15:6

While the context of the verse above isn’t in relation to the calendar, doesn’t the same principle apply? Jubilees and the solar calendar makes the moon (and stars) of none effect, and contradicts clear, unambiguous scripture.

UNAMBIGUOUS SCRIPTURES RELATED TO THE MOON

He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down

Psalm 104:19

The Hebrew word used is moedim, this is the word used for the appointed times of YHWH, also known as the feast days. Why are so many disregarding Psalm 104:19 to calculate the feast days?

If YHWH appointed the moon for the feasts, why is anyone expelling it from it’s function?

These are the feasts of YHWH, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons

Leviticus 23:4

There’s no mistaking it, YHWH commands (not suggests) the moon is to be used in calculating the feast days. We are not allowed to take away from His Word. It doesn’t matter if Babylon or Egypt used the moon in their calendars, that isn’t the point.

YHWH said it is to be done this way, therefore we need to do it his way.

Here’s another witness from the Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus. This book was included in the Greek Septuagint (the accepted canon or bible during the time of Messiah). Also, it was part of the apocrypha, included in the 1611 KJV and Geneva bibles.

He made the moon also, to serve in its season to mark the times and to be an everlasting sign. From the moon comes the sign for feast days, a light that wanes when it has reached the full. The month is named for the moon, increasing marvelously in its phases, an instrument of the hosts on high shining forth in the firmament of heaven.

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 43:6-8

The argument that the Hebrew word Chodesh doesn’t mean new moon, doesn’t hold up when put to the test.

Let’s compare what the scriptures say with the Book of Jubilees:

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 sabbaths and feasts and jubilees. For this reason I command and testify to thee that thou mayst testify to them; for after thy death thy 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 sabbaths and festivals, and they will eat all kinds of blood with all kinds of flesh

Jubilees 6:36-38

I believe this passage alone has led more of YHWH’s people astray regarding the calendar than any other. The fruit of this verse has multiplied a disdain for the use of the moon. Often, I hear mockers mocking the moon, calling it the instrument of Babylon (confusion). Or attributing the moon to Islam, or Babylon, or Egypt. Some even falsely accuse those of us who utilize the moon (as YHWH instructed) as followers of the traditions of men, followers of Babylon. Here’s what’s interesting, a major mechanism of the solar calendar (12 months of 30 days ) is actually found within ancient Babylon’s calendar practices.

While Babylonians were missing the 4 intercalary days in their calculation, the basic method of timekeeping was the same as modern-day solar calendars: 12 months of 30 days, preset. I find it also highly suspect that the Roman-Papal Calendar is also solar-only based.

Back to Jubilees 6
“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 sabbaths and feasts and jubilees“

To some, these verses seem to imply that the moons changing behavior (detailed and expounded in Enoch) causes people to make a holy day abominable, and and abominable day holy.

Side note, what day of the week did YHWH make that’s abominable or unclean?

Also, I just wonder if the sentiments revealed in Jubilees is what stirs up the calendar crusaders? What’s a calendar crusader you ask? You know, the people within the body that attach salvation to the calendar. The group who tucks away the revitalizing words of salvation through Messiah, in favor for savage calendar debates to no end. You’ve seen them around online.

Back to the faithful moon!

It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah

Psalm 89:37

Jubilees mentions the moon comes in 10 days too soon, as if it was in error, or perhaps YHWH made a mistake when he created the second great light in the heavens. The truth is, the moon is a faithful witness as Psalm 89 boldly proclaims, and does exactly what YHWH created it for. The problem isn’t the moon, it’s the lack of understanding how to inter-work the sun, moon and stars within a 364 day calendar. While Jubilees may contain some truth, I do believe there is enough cause for concern regarding adding and taking away from YHWH’s commandments, that we should not be weighing on it for doctrine.

1st Enoch

Enoch 74 is where the information for the 10-day difference is located. This passage may sound confusing at first, but we will cover this in detail shortly.

11 At those times there is an excess of thirty days belonging to the sun in five years; all the days belonging to each year of the five years, when completed, amount to three hundred and sixty-four days; and to the sun and stars belong six days; six days in each of the five years; thus thirty days belonging to them; 12 So that the moon has thirty days less than the sun and stars. 13 The moon 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. 14 To the moon alone belong in three years one thousand and sixty-two days; in five years it has fifty days less than the sun, for an addition being made to the one thousand and 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. 15 For its days in eight years are less than those of the sun by eighty days, which eighty days are its diminution in eight years. 16 The year then becomes truly complete according to the station of the moon, and the station of the sun

Enoch 74:11-16 Ethiopic

The popular R.H. Charles translation (which I enjoy reading from) adds an element of confusion to this discussion. Likewise, it adds incorrect credibility to the solar calendar:

R.H. Charles Translation of Enoch 74:

Popular R.H. Charles translation of 1st Enoch

How confusing! The Ethiopic manuscript (and most translations) say moon, however this translation says the sun and stars. Let me share with you why. Here is part of the translators preface for the R.H. Charles translation:

I do not suspect any malicious intentions by R.H. Charles, however I do believe he attempted to alter the text to suit his understanding regarding the calendar at that time (1893).

R.H. Charles Translation (emended)

And the Moon conducts the years exactly, all of them according to their eternal positions; they are neither early nor late, even by one day, but change the year in exactly 364 days. In three years, there are 1,092 days, and in five years 1,820 days, so that in eight years there are 2,912 days.

Enoch 74:12-13 (Ethiopic -non emended version)

“The moon 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 my opinion, this verse explains intercalation (13th month).

“Changed with correct precision in three hundred sixty-four days”

Several other translations to examine

Enoch translation from Ge’ez by Prof. Michael A. Knibb, year 1978.

Enoch translation from the Ethiopic, by George H. Schodde, PH. D

Another Ethiopic translation

Yet another translation from the Ge’ez

And the Moon conducts the years exactly, all of them according to their eternal positions; they are neither early nor late, even by one day, but change the year in exactly 364 days. In three years, there are 1,092 days, and in five years 1,820 days, so that in eight years there are 2,912 days.

Enoch 74:12-13(Ethiopic)

Thesaurus: Change

A short video highlighting the 13th month in The Book of Ezekiel

Assessment: Enoch agrees with scripture, Jubilees does not.

He appointed the moon for seasons (feast days/appointed times): the sun knows his going down

Psalm 104:19

Question: Do you believe the moon should be used in a scriptural calendar to calculate the feast days?

(PART 3) DAMASCUS: THE QUMRAN COMMUNITY

In speaking with several brothers and sisters who moved to these solar calendars, I often hear two main reasons why they switched. Number one, it’s easy to follow. Fair point, but most of us should recognize this argument can’t stand as a pillar of belief. The second most common answer has been; the backstory surrounding the Qumran community.

No doubt there was a breakaway society that lived in Qumran (also known as Damascus). It also appears they did in fact kept a solar calendar, but does that make it correct? Is it possible they were wrong about the calendar, and many are following their error even today?

Messiah Yahusha did not spend any time rebuking the Jews for an incorrect calendar. Is it possible the Jews in Jerusalem had the right one, and this breakaway society were led astray? I am not judging these people, but what I am saying is, it is possible they were wrong, and I’d like to share further evidence. Here’s some examples from their community rules, known as the Damascus Document, which, as you will see, also contains leaven, much like Jubilees.

Community Laws

• No carrying of medicines on the Sabbath.

• No using tools on the Sabbath, such as ropes or ladders, to help people who have fallen into bodies of water, even if they may drown as a result.

• Priests must master a document called the “Book of Meditation.”

• He is not to lend anything to his fellow on the Sabbath

• He is not to walk more than one thousand cubits outside his city (Sabbath)

• No-one is to wear dirty clothes or (clothes) which are in a chest, unless they have been washed with water or rubbed with incense

• No man should sleep with his wife in the city of the temple, defiling the city of the temple with their impurity

• No-one should intermingle voluntarily on the sabbath

• He is not to open a sealed vessel on the sabbath

• No-one should wear 10 perfumes, to go out ‹or come in› on the sabbath.

• In his dwelling no-one should lift a stone or dust

• The nursing mother should not lift the baby on the sabbath

• No-one ‹should stay› in a place close to gentiles on the sabbath

To be honest, these man-made laws seem worse than what Yahusha rebuked the Pharisees for

Do not add unto his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar

Proverbs 30:6

QUMRAN & ASTROLOGY? (NOT ASTRONOMY)

To make things even a little more awkward, this community that many are in awe of, and follow, may have been into astrology. Check out this document found amongst their writings.

Qumran “Horoscopes” (4Q186)

This fragment was an early find at Qumran and it is now many years since it was translated; however, it is only recently that it has been published, in the Journal of Semitic Studies, Vol. 9 No. 2 Aut. 1964 under the title An Astrological Cryptic Document.

This document, which deals with the physical characteristics given by the nativity (birth) and the mixture, in the native, of the spirits of Light and Darkness, does no more than show that astrological traditions were cultivated by the sect and that they were integrated with other beliefs held by them.

The text, which comprises parts of four columns of writing (and is largely included in the illustration on page 19) was written in a simple code which consisted in reversing the order of the letters and employing a number of different alphabets.

Col. I.

…) 4 and a man who will become (…) 5 broad and rounded (…) 6 pleasing and not the flesh of (…

Col. II.

1 …) unclean (Z…) granite (3…) a man of (4…) clean 5 and his thighs are long and thin, and his toes 6 are thin and long, and he is of the Second Vault. 7 He has six (parts) spirit in the House of Light, and three in the Pit of 8 Darkness. And this is the time of birth on which he is brought forth – on the festival of Taurus. He will be poor; and this is his beast – Taurus.

Col. III.

2 And his head (3…) and his teeth are … and the fingers of 4 his hands are thick, and his thighs are thick and each covered with hair; 5 and his toes are thick and short. He has eight (parts) spirit in the House of (6 Darkness) and one (part) from the House of Light. And a man…

The idea of the two spirits of Good and Evil is familiar from Zoroastrian thought and presumably emanated, in this context, from that source.

Astrology in the Dead Sea Scrolls – John M Addey

With the information presented regarding Jubilees and other Qumran related doctrines, do we really think this community was the fulfillment of the Zadok priesthood being preserved by YHWH? Why are so many of YHWH’s people following this sect?

But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, says YHWH Elohim. And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean

Ezekiel 44:15,23

Separate thyself from the nations, And eat not with them

Jubilees 22

Since we are able to see Jubilees has leaven in it, why are we leaning so heavily on it for the calendar? Or any other doctrine for that matter.

THE TEMPLE SCROLL (QUMRAN COMMUNITY)

The Temple Scroll was also found within the writings of Qumran. We won’t spend much time on this, however, it is worthy to note this document was also a pillar within the community, which added more Torah restrictions, and 3 extra feast days.

Opinion Alert: This Qumran community was not the fulfillment of the Zadok prophecy.

QUMRAN COMMUNITY SCROLL 4Q324D

A Qumran community scroll covering the 364-day solar calendar

1. [The (beginning of the) fifth (month) is on (week)day six. On the second
   (day) in it – Sabbath.]

2. [On the third in it – The Feast of Wine, after the Sabbath.
3. [On the ninth in it – Sabbath. On the sixteenth in it – Sabbath. On the
   twenty-]
4. [third in it – Sabbath. On the thirtieth in it – Sabbath.]
5. [The (beginning of the) sixth (month) is after the Sabbath. On the se]venth
   [in it – Sabbath.]
6. [On the fourteenth in it – Sabba]th. On [the twenty-first in it – Sabbath.]
7. [After the Sabbath (is) the Festiva]l of Oi[l. On the twenty-e]igh[th]
8. [in] it – Sabbath. [(Week)day tw]o – in [it (falls) the th]irti[eth (day of the
   month). The] (beginning of the) sev[en]th (month)
9. [(is on) (week)d]ay fou[r]. Tequfah. On the fourth in it (= the seventh
   month) – Sabbath.
   9a. [On the] tenth in it – the Da[y of At]onement
10. On the eleven[th in] it – Sabbath. On the fifteenth in it – the Feast of
    The Off]erings of Wood pl. six [d]ays, t[w]o in (each) day

Leviticus 23 outlines the eight feasts of YHWH. This community added three additional feasts. Is that okay?

Thus says YHWH of Hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

Zechariah 8:19

Some have speculated that these feasts were prophesied about in Zechariah, however, two of the three ‘additions’ aren’t aligned to the same months, so that doesn’t really work out.

• “Feast of New Wine” – 3rd day of the 5th Month
• “Feast of the New Oil” – 22nd of the 6th Month x
• “Feast of the New Wood” – 23rd of the 6th Month x

Let me ask you a question. Are we allowed to add feast days to his commandments today? The answer must be unequivocally no. Why then was it okay for this sect do do so? If their community was full of leaven, what makes us think they had the right calendar?

Question: What are your thoughts on the Zadok Solar Calendar after viewing the evidence provided today?

(PART 4) THE 364 DAY CALENDAR

Mentioned just a moment ago, in speaking with brothers and sisters who have left the luni-solar calendar in favor of the solar only, I often hear the reason is because it’s simple and it is the only way to keep a 364 day year. 52 weeks of 7 days, that’s it, which does seem simple.

What I find a little interesting, is the solar calendar cannot maintain a 364 day only count, ever. The reason being is the sun has a circuit of 365.24 days.

Year 1 – 365 days
Year 2 – 365 days
Year 3 – 365 days
Year 4 – 366 days
Repeat

This means every year, the calendar drifts 1.24 days, and to fix it, they need to intercalate. Intercalation means they need to add days, or sometimes even weeks to re-calibrate the calendar. This is why the papal calendar has ‘leap years’. Intercalation is one of the points of contention that solar-only believers carry out against luni-solar calendars, as a 13th month is added approximately every third year. Here is a quote from a popular version of the solar calendar, the Zadok Priestly Calendar:

Intercalation

To add or not to add, that is the question…

We know that the sun revolves on a 365.24 something circuit right? Well how then does the 364 day year work?  As with most calendars, even the Gregorian and Hillel II calendars there is a need to intercalate, or add days every so often to keep things aligned. The same thing happens with the Zadok. The question is how?

Since the Zadok calendar is a fixed day calendar beginning with the 4th day every year, the observed equinox would advance a day or two each year, and in five to six years we would be a week behind, thus there appears to be a need to intercalate. So how then do we determine when to add a week to keep us in line? This took a lot of investigation and mapping out the moon and sun movements.

https://torahislight.org/intercalation/

The website goes on to share several methods of intercalation, all differentiating from one another. Years ago when I was curious about the solar calendar, I was shocked to see how much variation there was within the community. This is their conclusion regarding intercalation for the solar calendar:

All alignments aside there are still several issues regarding intercalation that have not been made clear. Unfortunately there is no published record of how the Zadok priests actually intercalated, or if they even did for that matter. Therefore understanding how this effects the priestly courses and the beginning of the year is no easy task.

So for now we are simply waiting on Yah to provide an answer. Even if it is day by day, month by month and year by year, we are okay with that.

But for those that seek to know what we currently follow. For the moment we are following Method #3.  The determination to keep to that method was done by casting lot, as were our first steps in observing the Zadok Calendar. The results of that lot carried a .04 probability with each of the men drawing the same number. That’s enough for me to go on knowing that “the lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of YHVH.” Proverb 16:33

https://torahislight.org/intercalation/

Some, who have gone this direction for the sake of simplicity, often find it wanting. Here’s the scoop; solar-only calendars can never maintain a 364 day count, as there’s only one variable, the sun with a 365.24 yearly cycle, that doesn’t change. Math is math, and with only one variable, this is better stated as a 365.24 calendar, not a 364. The average amount of days will always settle at 365.24 days per year. It doesn’t matter the type of intercalation used on a solar calendar, days or weeks, it will average out to a 365.24 day calendar. You can maintain a 364 day count for one year only, then intercalation would be necessary the very next year and following. Again, this happens because there is no second variable to balance (or conduct, change) the average with simple math.

And the Moon conducts the years exactly, all of them according to their eternal positions; they are neither early nor late, even by one day, but change the year in exactly 364 days. In three years, there are 1,092 days, and in five years 1,820 days, so that in eight years there are 2,912 days.

Enoch 74:12-13(Ethiopic)

Example on a smaller scale:

5 + 5 + 5 = 15
15 divided by 3 = 5 (average)

No matter how many 5’s we add together, the average will always be 5. The same happens with a calendar that only uses one variable, 365.24.

SUN, MOON & STAR CALENDAR

As we shared earlier in the study, the 66-book canon (The Bible) does provide some bits and pieces to the calendar: Gen 1:14-16, Psalm 104:19, Psalm 89 and others. However, the precise inter-working of the luminaries are not outlined in Genesis through Revelation, but in 1st Enoch alone. For information why we believe Enoch is reliable in relation to the calendar, please see this study:

Although Enoch is frequently mentioned among the solar calendar crowds, none employ what is taught past chapter 72, which only discusses the “laws of the sun”. Right or wrong, my assessment is most don’t understand what Enoch is saying, because they are reading it with a Jubilees lens.

1st Enoch spends one chapter on the “laws of the sun” (chapter 72), then covers the “laws of the moon” spanning two chapters (73-74 and in again in 77-78). Furthermore, Enoch testifies that even the stars have a place within the reckoning of the year!

(Opinion Alert)
The problem many have with understanding the calendar outlined in Enoch: They are trying to make it fit with a Jubilees perspective (see parts 1-2).

Let’s take a look at many of the verses that need to be implemented, regarding the calendar. We will read sections and share some comments or quick notes.

Enoch 72:

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 endures 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.

• Their laws (plural)
• “Law of the sun”

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.

• Note all the luminaries follow each other accurately, in order

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 east⌉. 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.

• This is important. According to 1st Enoch, the sun must have crossed the equator (4th portal) in order for the calendar to be positioned in the 1st month.
• The 4th portal being the equator is confirmed in verse 9 below

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.

• For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere (Jerusalem included), this is exactly what happens as the sun crosses the equator. The day begins to be longer than the night (12+ hrs of daylight)

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

Enoch 73:1-3

• The moon is associated with the month according to Enoch, and lines up with scripture

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. 

Enoch 74:1-3

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. 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. And on the first day she is called the new moon, for on that day the light rises upon her

Enoch 77:10-12

• When light arises on the moon (visible sliver), this is the new moon.
• An Enochian Calendar uses the moon for the months

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. 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

Enoch 77:13-14

• When the moon is empty, the month is over
  • “Conjunction moon” or “Dark moon” = last day of the month according to Enoch

Now, the next passage is critical. We will examine it in two translations to be fair.

The moon 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.

CHANOK (ENOCH) 74:13 את CEPHER

Compare the Cepher (and other Ethiopic translations) with R.H. Charles’ translation:

And the sun and the stars bring in all the years exactly, so that they do not advance or delay their position by a single day unto eternity; but complete the years with perfect justice in 364 days. 13. In 3 years there are 1092 days, and in 5 years 1820 days, so that in 8 years there are 2912 days.

Enoch 74:12-13 R.H. Charles Translation

Reminder: You’ll notice ‘the sun’ is in bold font from the source. This is from the editors preface:

To my current understanding, R.H. Charles’ version is the only one who translated this passage this way. All, or at least most of the other witnesses say that the moon brings in the years and “change” them with perfect justice. We will validate this process shortly.

• According to 1st Enoch, the moon is key to bringing in all the years exactly
• In three years there is 1,092 days

For the moon alone the days amount in 3 years to 1062 days, and in 5 years she falls 50 days behind:

Enoch 74:14

• The moon falls behind the sun 10 days every year.
• The sun and moon work together to complete the calendar

The year then becomes truly complete according to the station of the moon, and the station of the sun; which rise in the different gates; which rise and set in them for thirty days

Enoch 74:16 (Ethiopic & Cepher)

• The luni-solar calendar written plainly for us

Here is an example of how the luni-solar works in tandem, to accomplish a true 364-day calendar. First, we must remember the moon revolves around a 354 day yearly circuit.

Year 1 – 354 days

Year 2 – 354 days

Year 3 – 384 days (13th month – 30 days are added)

354 + 354 + 384 = 1,092 days

“In three years the days are one thousand and ninety-two”

1,092 divided by 3 = 364 days.

Earlier, we mentioned that a solar calendar has only one variable (the sun), and therefore it cannot attain a rolling 364 day average. When the calendar employs the sun and moon, we now have two variables, allowing the scenario recorded by Enoch to come true via simple math.

(354 + 354 + 384 = 1,092 / 3 = 364)

And the Moon conducts the years exactly, all of them according to their eternal positions; they are neither early nor late, even by one day, but change the year in exactly 364 days. In three years, there are 1,092 days, and in five years 1,820 days, so that in eight years there are 2,912 days.

Enoch 74:12-13(Ethiopic)

There’s more to cover, but we believe this is sufficient for now. For more on the calendar, see this playlist:

Question: Does the 364-day sun,moon and star calendar make a little more sense now?

WRAPPING IT UP (FOR NOW)

While the solar calendar has been gaining steam and attention, I do believe there are plenty of warning signs that this isn’t the calendar. Consider the multiple additions and subtractions from YHWH’s Torah within Jubilees, that cannot be overlooked. Contemplate the fact that Jubilees is the only book with anti-moon sentiments (Jubilees 6), which is in opposition to Genesis, Psalms and many other foundational scriptures. For those who look to 1st Enoch for guidance on the calendar, we cannot hide our eyes from the dozens of verses that outright instruct us to use the moon for the months, and ultimately, the years. For these reasons and others, I cannot get onboard with a solar calendar.

FINAL THOUGHTS & PERSPECTIVES

This article/video is not targeted towards any individual or ministry. This study is my attempt to share the testimony I hold, as I work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. In light of that;

I publicly repent for introducing Jubilees and the confusion it brings to the body of Messiah.

Hopefully everyone can agree that Messiah Yahusha (Yeshua etc.) is our teacher through the Ruach Ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit). He is the perfect example that came down from heaven to instruct us in righteousness. He is the one who taught us eternal life, the gospel of the kingdom and how to enter it. I find it fascinating that Messiah spent zero time teaching the calendar, according to the gospel accounts and the epistles from the apostles. Now, think about that for a moment.

Earnestly think about that for a moment.

The devil wants to bind and confuse us with the love of knowledge over respecting one another!

Consider our focus and aim in this world isn’t to preach the calendar, but the gospel of the Son of YHWH. People are sick and broken out there, they need the truth of salvation through Yahusha! Calendars don’t save lives, the faith and testimony of Yahusha does. We should be more interested in helping those bound by satan. Assisting the poor, the blind, the widows, the orphans, the sick, the castaways, the broken, the destitute and much more? If we are truly followers of Him, we will do as he did.

How embarrassing would it be if we got the calendar right, but our hearts were not upright before him? How awkward if we spent our life discussing the calendar, but forsook the needy among us? How shameful if we act toxic towards everyone we disagreed with regarding doctrine? Be it calendar or any other debatable topic. Yahusha tells us in Matthew 25, that the sheep and goats are separated based on our love and care for one another.

Nevertheless, with all that being said, I still do believe and hope the aspiration to get the calendar correct, comes from a good desire within us. Those of us who know that we are to keep the feast days (moedim) of YHWH faithfully, desire to do so on the right day. This inherently is a good thing. What I am encouraging here, is balance, and a renewed focus, making sure we don’t lose sight of the real treasure (our love for YHWH and each other) and not just seeking the correct calendar.

The calendar is a big test from above; can we love another, even if we find ourselves disagreeing during our pursuit of truth?

I want to declare, that I love you, my brother or sister, regardless of what calendar you keep.

Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But YHWH examines the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by YHWH more than sacrifice

Proverbs

YHWH bless you and keep you
YHWH make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
YHWH lift up his countenance upon you, and give you shalom (peace)