שמע ישראל ה 'הוא האלוהים שלנו הוא אחד

Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad
"Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One"

B"H

Days To Observe * Shabbat * Rosh Hashanah Yamim Noraim Yom Kippur Sukkot	Days To Observe Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah Chanukkah Tu B'Shevat Purim	Days To Observe Pesach Lag B'Omer Shavu'ot Tisha B'Av		Days To Avoid Christmas Imbolc Easter May Day Summer Solstice:	Days To Avoid Lughnasadh: Michaelmas Halloween	Days Of Pause Birthdays New Years day 4th of July Thanksgiving Day Superbowl Sunday

Holidays to Observe

Shabbat: Sabbath:

When:

Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

Biblical:

Instituted at:

Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified [qadash means to "appoint for observance" compare Strong's H6942] it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Exodus 31:12 And Adonai spake unto Moses, saying,
31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily [above all] my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Adonai that doth sanctify you.
31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to Adonai: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Shabbat is the weekly day of rest in honor of Adonai. First commanded at Genesis 2:1-3 (above). Reaffirmed in both versions of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21) and at numerous places in the Tanakh.
Adon Y'shua and his talmidim observed Shabbat as did the early Nazarene Way.
Shabbat is the only weekly observance set apart in Scripture and it is the most important appointment (mo-ade) of all those established by HaShem.

For more information on Shabbat see my series of studies beginning Here:

Greetings: Shabbat Shalom, Good Sabbath.

May be observed by: All who trust in Adonai.

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Note: * To determine the following dates from the Jewish Calendar on our calendar go Here (to Chabad.org).

Rosh Hashanah: New Year:

When:

Tishri 1,2 *.

Biblical:

Biblical names: Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) and Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar: "ram's horn").

Instituted at:

Leviticus 23:23 ADONAI said to Moshe,
24 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar.
25 Do not do any kind of ordinary work, and bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI.'"

Greetings:

L'shanah tovah ("Have a good year") or "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" ("May you be inscribed and sealed [in the Book of Life] for a good year.")

May be observed by:

All who trust in Adonai.


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Yamim Noraim: Days of Awe or Days of Repentance:

When:

The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur *.

Extra-biblical, Tradition:

During this period one should do serious introspection and repentance in preparation for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). One should especially practice the following kinds of actions to demonstrate ones repentance to HaShem as He prepares the "books" of our lives:

Teshuvah: repentance
Tefilah: prayer
Tzedakah: good deeds (usually, charity but any act of kindness).

The "books" metaphorically kept by HaShem are sealed on Yom Kippur for the following year. Sins that have not been repented of may have negative impacts in the upcoming year. As talmidim of Y'shua we understand that he is our Cohen Gadol (mediator/high priest) and yet it behooves us to be especially mindful of our sins during this period so we may experience more of the goodness of HaShem and better serve Him in the new year (II Chronicles 7:14, I John 1:9).

May be observed by:

All who trust in Adonai.


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Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement:

When:

Tishri 10 *.

Biblical:

Instituted at:

Leviticus 23:26 ADONAI said to Moshe,
27 "The tenth day of this seventh month is Yom-Kippur; you are to have a holy convocation, you are to deny yourselves, and you are to bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI.
28 You are not to do any kind of work on that day, because it is Yom-Kippur, to make atonement for you before ADONAI your God.
29 Anyone who does not deny himself on that day is to be cut off from his people;
30 and anyone who does any kind of work on that day, I will destroy from among his people.
31 You are not to do any kind of work; it is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live.
32 It will be for you a Shabbat of complete rest, and you are to deny yourselves; you are to rest on your Shabbat from evening the ninth day of the month until the following evening."

This is considered to be the most important day of the year. One should refrain all work, all pleasures, fast, seek forgiveness for wrongs done concluding the repentance of Yamim Noraim.
As talmidim of Y'shua our cohen gadol our trust is in his mediation with HaShem on our behalf and on Yom Kippur we are therefore especially mindful to seek mercy and ponder his sacrifice.

Greeting:

G'mar Hatimah Tovah or "May You Be Sealed for a Good Year (in the Book of Life).

May be observed by:

All who trust in Adonai.


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Sukkot: Festival of Tabernacles, Festival of Booths:

When:

Tishri 15 *

Biblical:

Instituted at:

Leviticus 23:33 ADONAI said to Moshe,
34 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to ADONAI.
35 On the first day there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.
36 For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work.
37 "'These are the designated times of ADONAI that you are to proclaim as holy convocations and bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI -a burnt offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, each on its own day
38 besides the Shabbats of ADONAI, your gifts, all your vows and all your voluntary offerings that you give to ADONAI.
39 "'But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of ADONAI seven days; the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a complete rest.
40 On the first day you are to take choice fruit, palm fronds, thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate in the presence of ADONAI your God for seven days.
41 You are to observe it as a feast to ADONAI seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month.
42 You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra'el is to live in a sukkah,
43 so that generation after generation of you will know that I made the people of Isra'el live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am ADONAI your God.'"
44 Thus Moshe announced to the people of Isra'el the designated times of ADONAI.

Greeting:

Chag Sameach: joyous festival

May be observed by:

All who trust in Adonai.


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Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah:

When:

Tishri 22 * (the eighth day after entering the sukkah).

Extra-biblical, tradition:

Completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. beginning of the annual cycle of Torah readings. A day of celebration and dancing with the Torah scrolls. Often viewed as part of Sukkot, but that is technically incorrect as it occurs on the day after.

Greetings:

Chag Sameach: joyous festival

May be observed by:

All who trust in Adonai, especially those who regularly read the parsha (the traditional weekly Torah readings) and who have dwelt in a sukkah during Sukkot.


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Chanukkah: Festival of lights:

When:

Eight days beginning on Kislev 25 *

Biblical with tradition:

Remembers the re-dedication of the Temple after it was defiled by the Greek Antiochus IV (who sacrificing a pig on the alter!). Two groups opposed Antiochus, the (Hasmonean) Maccabees and a group known as the Chasidim (no relation to the present Chasidim movements) from whom the P'rushim (Pharisees and modern Rabbis) emerged. Chanukkah (Hanukkah) recalls their re-dedication of the Holy Temple (I Maccabees 4:56–59).


John 10:22 Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter,
23 and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo's Colonnade.

According to tradition (recorded in the Babylonian Talmud: Shabbat 21b) at the time of the re-dedication there was not enough oil left to keep the Temple menorah lit as required. There was only enough oil to burn for one day. Miraculously the oil lasted for eight days (the time needed to prepare a fresh supply). To remember this miracle an eight day festival was declared known as the Festival of Lights. Each nigh a flame is lit in memory.

Should be observed by:

Jews and all talmidim of Adon Y'shua


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Tu B'Shevat:

When:

Shevat 15 *

Biblical

Instituted at:

Leviticus 19:23 When you enter the land and plant various kinds of fruit trees, you are to regard its fruit as forbidden - for three years it will be forbidden to you and not eaten.
24 In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, for praising ADONAI.
25 But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit, so that it will produce even more for you; I am ADONAI your God.

The "new year" for calculating the age of trees

May be observed by:

Everyone who loves Eretz Israel. Planting trees in Israel is a great mitzvot.


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Purim:

When:

Adar 14 *

Biblical

Instituted at:

Esther 9:20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far,
21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year

Remembers the defeat of a plot to exterminate the Jews:

May be observed by:

Jews (however all who stand with Am Israel can participate in solidarity with them and in repentance for the harm our ancestors have done to Am Israel (and the harm now being done to them by Gentiles).


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Pesach (Passover), Feast of Unleavened Bread::

When:

8 days beginning on Abib/Nisan 15 (sunset 14th) *
Feast day (Exodus 13:6)
"Why is this night different from all other nights?"

Biblical

Instituted at:

Exodus 12:14 "'This will be a day for you to remember and celebrate as a festival to ADONAI; from generation to generation you are to celebrate it by a perpetual regulation.
15 "'For seven days you are to eat matzah - on the first day remove the leaven from your houses. For whoever eats hametz [leavened bread] from the first to the seventh day is to be cut off from Isra'el.
16 On the first and seventh days, you are to have an assembly set aside for God. On these days no work is to be done, except what each must do to prepare his food; you may do only that.
17 You are to observe the festival of matzah, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day from generation to generation by a perpetual regulation.

Represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel, however much more importantly Pesach remembers (reminds us of) the Exodus from Egypt. As talmidim of Adon Y'shua we have been grafted into the significance of these events and we do well to observe Pesach.

The Passover history is recorded in Exodus Chapters 1-15. Many of the specific Pesach observances are instituted in Chapters 12-15 other aspects come from Jewish tradition.
During Pesach all chametz (leaven: anything made from the five major grains -- wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) -- are removed from the home and strictly avoided. Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews also consider rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes (beans) to be of this category by tradition. Everything regarded as chametz is removed from the home in memory of the fact that the Israelites fled Egypt in a hurry -- not leaving time to even let their bread rise. This tradition is also symbolic of our desire to remove the "puffiness" of arrogance and pride from our souls. This is a time to take stock of what really matters in life realizing that in a moment our lives could be drastically overturned by circumstances beyond our control. Our only hope is in Adonai.

Talmidim of Y'shua also include details from the Pesach seder conducted by Adon Y'shua and his talmidim shortly before his betrayal, arrest and execution. This seder was conducted in the Upper Room (Matthew 26). As an example of these added symbols, we understand that the traditional "Elijah Cup" references Y'shua's sacrifice on the stake, his burial and resurrection. While many Believers practice the rite of communion ("the Lord's Supper") weekly, it is directly referenced in Scripture as an element of our Pesach observances. Regardless of when one partakes of the Lord's Supper, one should partake as part of the annual Pesach seder.

Greetings:

Chag Sameach: joyous festival

May be observed by:

Jews and the talmidim of Adon Y'shua.


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Lag B'Omer:

When:

Connects Pesach (Exodus from slavery) to Shavu'ot (freedom by the giving of Torah).

Biblical

Instituted at:

Leviticus 23:15 "'From the day after the day of rest -that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving -you are to count seven full weeks,
16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to ADONAI.

The Torah commands counting the days from Pasach to Shavu'ot. This period is known as "the Counting of the Omer." The Orthodox Union has a chart showing how this is done Here. There are several traditions surrounding this period of partial mourning (weddings, celebrations, parties etc. are forbidden as are haircuts and other optional elements of grooming.

May be observed by:

All who worship Adonai.


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Shavu'ot: Pentecost: the Festival of Weeks, Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of First Fruits), Hag Matan Torateinu (Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).

When:

2 days beginning with the conclusion of 49 days or 7 full weeks, as calculated from the second day of Pasach (Passover) until the day before Shavu'ot according to the Lag B'Omer (the Counting of the Omer). Pasach reminds us of the slavery the Jews left with the Exodus and Shavu'ot reminds us of the freedom received by the giving of Torah.
Pentecost further reminds the talmidim of Adon Y'shua of the outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh of HaShem on the emerging Way movement.
It is an ancient tradition to stay up all night on the first night of Shavu'ot and give oneself to Torah study. As the morning dawns one should be engaged in Torah and prayer. It is also a tradition to read the Book of Ruth during the night. Dairy meals are also part of the traditional observance. Work is not permitted on Shavu'ot.

Biblical

Instituted at:

Leviticus 23:15 From the day after the day of rest -that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving -you are to count seven full weeks,
16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to ADONAI
21 On the same day, you are to call a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live.

Greetings:

Chag Sameach: joyous festival.

May be observed by:

Jews and the talmidim of Adon Y'shua.


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Tisha B'Av: the Fast of the Ninth of Av

When:

Av 9 *, for 25 hours

Biblical

Instituted at:

Zechariah 7:3, II Kings 25:8-9, Mishnah Ta'anit 4:6, etc.

A day for remembering diverse major Israelite tragedies. Tisha B'Av primarily (especially) commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples (both were destroyed on the ninth of Av: the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E.). On this day the Torah cabinets are draped in black cloth.
Begins with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz (commemorating the first breach in the walls of Jerusalem, before the First Temple was destroyed. During this period worldly pleasures are increasingly avoided, parties, cutting of the hair etc are not permitted. From the first to the ninth of Av tradition says to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine (except on Shabbat) and from wearing new clothing.

May be observed by:

Jews however all who stand with Am Israel can partake in solidarity with them and in repentance for the harm our ancestors have done to Israel (and the harm now being done to them by Gentiles).
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Holidays To Avoid

Note: As talmidim of Adon Y'shua our desire is to obey his commandments (John 14:15), to harmonize our will with Adonai's, and to honor HaShem alone. Hence, holidays that are not scripturally based and/or that bring glory to other gods or creatures are best avoided.

Our societies are filled with Pagan religious and secular customs and it is often difficult to avoid these completely. Most Christian holidays are based directly or indirectly on earlier Pagan holidays. Cloaking a Pagan practice with Christian symbols does not make it holy. The dates of the following holidays are not always exact however the symbols and traditions of the holidays confirms the Pagan connections.
It is also true that God desires us to enjoy our lives and live abundantly (John 10:10). Annual Yule time gatherings with family and friends for instance need not be shunned, but one should take part in them without imbibing in the related Pagan rites.
Each follower of Adon Y'shua should prayerfully determine how to interact with the dominant culture according to the leading of the Ruach HaKodesh. The following therefore are offered as food for thought.

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by Adon Y'shua, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Winter Solstice: December 21st

• Saint Nicholas Day: In honor of Nicholas of Myra (December 6)
• Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8)
• Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12)
• Yule for Wicca (December 21)
• Saturnalia (introduced around 217 BCE. Originally one day, December 17, then expanded into a week-long extravaganza, ending on the 23rd).
• Juleaftensdag ("Yule Eve Day"): December 24.
• Christmas (December 25)
• Yule (Now December 25: previously late December to early January based on lunar Germanic calendar and Pagan traditions)
• Feast of the Holy Family (December 26)
• Holy Innocents (December 28)
• Feast of Mary, Mother of God (January 1)
• Feast of St Basil: Orthodox Christian (January 1)

I have a lot of information on the origins of Christmas posted Here.

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Imbolc: Cross-quarter day: : February 2

• Imbolc the Pagan fertility and weather divination day
• Oimelc (February 1)
• Saint Brigid’s Day (February 1)
• Groundhog Day (February 2)
• Candlemas (February 2)
• Lá Fhéile Bríde: Ireland (February 2)
• Gŵyl y Canhwyllau: Wales: "Mary's Festival of the Candles" (February 2)
• Lupercalia: Pagan Roman purification ritual (early February)
• Presentation of Christ in the Temple: Anglican (February 2)
• Ash Wednesday: first day of Lent: forty-six days (forty days not counting Sundays) before Easter.
• Saint Valentine's Day (February 14): established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 CE
• Transfiguration Sunday (February 14)
• Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

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Vernal Equinox: March 20/21

• Maundy (Holy) Thursday (Thursday before Easter)
• Saint Patrick's Day (March 17)
• Day of goddess Ostara (March 20)
• Norouz: Zoroastrian New Year (March 21)
• Naw Ruz: Bahai (March 21)
• Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (March 25)
• Lazarus Saturday: Orthodox Christian (March 27)
• Palm Sunday (March 28)
• Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 21). Easter is a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.
• Khordad Sal: Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra: Zoroastrian (March 28)

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Beltane: Cross-quarter day: May 1

• May Day
• Ascension of Christ (May 13)

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Summer Solstice: June 21

• Feast of John the Baptist: June 24th.
• Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul

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Lughnasadh: Cross-quarter day: August 1

• Lammas (August 1)
• Fast in honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus: Orthodox Christian (August 1)
• Transfiguration of the Lord: Orthodox Christian (August 1)

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Autumn Equinox: September 21

• Elevation of the Life Giving Cross: Holy Cross Day (September 14)
• Saint Michaelmas (September 29): AKA: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the Feast of the Archangels, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels.
• Mabon: Pagan (September 23)

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Samhain: Cross-quarter day; October 31/ November 1:

• Reformation Day (October 27)
• Halloween/All Hallows Eve (October 31)
• Devil Night (October 31)
• Reformation Day: Protestant Christian (October 31)
• All Saint's Day (November 1)
• All Souls' Day (November 2)

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Days of Pause

Note: As talmidim of Adon Y'shua our desire is to obey his commandments (John 14:15), to harmonize our will with Adonai's, and to honor HaShem alone. Hence, traditional events that bring glory to the created rather than the Creator Who alone is blessed (Romans 1:25) are potentially problematic. The sampling of cultural traditions mentioned below are not necessarily to be avoided, however we must always make sure not to allow anything to overshadow our service to Adonai.

Our societies are filled with secular customs and it is often difficult to avoid these completely (nor is that necessarily needed). HaShem desires us to enjoy our lives and to live abundantly (John 10:10). Traditions like birthdays bring families and friends together and demonstrate our love one towards another. Sporting events can unite friends and family and strengthen friendships. These observances need not be shunned, but one should take part in them without imbibing in the related Pagan elements.
Each follower of Adon Y'shua should prayerfully determine how to interact with the dominant culture according to the leading of the Ruach HaKodesh. The following therefore are offered as food for thought.

Personal Birthdays: :

The Bible neither specifically forbids nor condones the recognition/celebration of birthdays however consider the following accounts of birthday parties in the Bible:

Genesis 40:18 Yosef answered, "Here is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days.
19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head from off of you -he will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you."
20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he gave a party for all his officials, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his officials.
21 He restored the chief cupbearer back to his position, so that he again gave Pharaoh his cup.
22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Yosef had interpreted to them.

And again:

Matthew 14:6 However, at Herod's birthday celebration, Herodias' daughter danced before the company and pleased Herod
7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of Yochanan the Immerser."
9 The king became deeply upset; but out of regard for the oaths he had sworn before his dinner guests, he ordered that her wish be granted,
10 and sent and had Yochanan beheaded in prison.

Nothing good ever comes from birthday parties in the Bible.

Another strike against birthday observances as practiced today is that we are commanded to avoid greed and receiving gifts (Proverbs 15:27). Birthdays are the second most greed-based, gift receiving holiday we have after Christmas.

Also consider the origin of Birthday Cakes. The first known birthday cakes were religious cakes used by the ancient Greeks. These ancient Pagans made moon shaped (round) honey cakes or breads and took them to the temple of Artemis (goddess of Moon: lunar deities are the most commonly condemned in the Bible).

For these reasons and more many Believers do not celebrate nor acknowledge birthdays at all.

As in so many cases however balance may be determined the wisest course to follow: for instance remembering the day with a meal and some special treat while avoiding birthday cakes and the giving of so many gifts can be a wonderful way to demonstrate our love for one another. Birthdays can be joyful events, especially for children, however as talmidim of Y'shua we should pause and consider if and how we should observe them.

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Secular New Year's: December 31/January 1:

HaShem has given us a calendar. It is contained within the Tanakh. The world today uses a Pagan calendar devoted to gods we as Believers in HaShem are not to worship. Celebrating the annual passage of such a calendar from one year to the next is therefore questionable (for balance on this see the introductory note to this section).

The Calendar HaShem Gave The World

HaShem's Day	Day of the Week	Pagan Days
Yom Rishon	First Day	Sunday: Day to worship Sol Invictus (sun gods)
Yom Sheini	Second Day	Monday: Day to worship the Moon (moon gods)
Yom Shlishi	Third Day	Tuesday: Day to worship Tiew (Mars)
Yom R'vi'i	Fourth Day	Wednesday: Day to worship Wodan (Mercury)
Yom Chamishi	Fifth Day	Thursday: Day to worship Thor (Jupiter)
Yom Shishi	Sixth Day	Friday: Day to worship Fria (Venus)
Yom Shabbat	Sabbath Day	Saturday: Day of Saturn:

HaShem's Months	Month Number	Month Length	Pagan Months
Nissan	1	30 days	March-April: Months to honor of Mars and Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty and sexuality.
Iyar	2	29 days	April-May: Months to honor Aphrodite and Maia, Italic goddess of spring
Sivan	3	30 days	May-June: Months to honor Maia and Juno, Roman goddess of marriage and queen of the gods
Tammuz	4	29 days	June-July: Months to honor Juno and Julius Caesar
Av	5	30 days	July-August: Months to honor Julius and Augustus Caesar
Elul	6	29 days	August-September: Months to honor Augustus Caesar / Septem: seventh
Tishri	7	30 days	September-October: Septem: seventh and Octo: eighth
Cheshvan	8	29 or 30 days	October-November: Octo: eighth and Novem: ninth
Kislev	9	30 or 29 days	November-December: Novem: nine and Decem: ten
Tevet	10	29 days	December-January: Decem: ten and Janus, Roman god of beginnings
Shevat	11	30 days	January-February: Months to honor Janus and Februus, an old-Italian god
Adar I (leap years only)	12	30 days	February-March: Months to honor Februus and Mars, Roman god of war
Adar (called Adar Beit in leap years)	12 (13 in leap years)	29 days	February-March: Months to honor Februus and Mars, Roman god of war

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4th of July:

Our kingdom is not of this world. As Believers are commanded to obey those in authority -- so as long as doing so does not interfere with our service to Adonai -- however these countries are not our homes. We are ambassadors of another kingdom (for balance on this see the introductory note to this section).

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Thanksgiving Day:

While we are always to give thanks to HaShem for His goodness, nationally sponsored days of Thanksgiving usually have other motives. They are often ways in which political leaders who advocate policies that are in opposition to HaShem and are detrimental to His people seek to make the people believe the country is not opposing God's Will.

As talmidim of Y'shua we need to always remember that our Kingdom is not yet present in this world and that our allegiance is to HaShem, not human governments (for balance on this see the introductory note to this section). Return to List

Superbowl Sunday etc.: :

There is nothing wrong with sports nor with rooting for the "home team." Superbowl Sunday is but one well known example of a popular sporting event. Watching such events with friends and families can be a fun time and help solidify relationships. Clearly however the extremism that sometimes accompanies victory (or defeats) on the sporting fields are out of balance biblically speaking. We need to keep such enthusiasm in perspective (for balance on this see the introductory note to this section).

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