The fifteenth day of the month holds significant importance in the biblical calendar, particularly in the context of the Hebrew calendar, where it marks the commencement of several key festivals and events ordained by God. These events are deeply rooted in the religious and cultural life of the Israelites and carry profound theological implications.

1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Pesach):

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of the first month, Nisan (also known as Abib), immediately following the Passover. This festival is a seven-day observance commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their deliverance from slavery. As recorded in Leviticus 23:6 , "On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread." This feast symbolizes the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, not having time to let their bread rise, and serves as a reminder of God's mighty deliverance.

2. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot):

The fifteenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, marks the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot. This festival is a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the harvest and God's provision. Leviticus 23:34 states, "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh month, the LORD’s Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it continues for seven days.'" During this time, the Israelites were commanded to dwell in temporary shelters, or booths, to commemorate their ancestors' journey through the wilderness and God's protection and provision during that period.

3. The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles:

Both the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles are pilgrimage festivals, requiring all Israelite males to appear before the Lord at the sanctuary. These festivals emphasize themes of redemption, divine provision, and the importance of community worship and remembrance of God's faithfulness.

4. Theological Significance:

The fifteenth day of the month, as seen in these festivals, underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the remembrance of His acts of salvation. These observances are not merely historical commemorations but are intended to instill a sense of identity and continuity among the people of God. They serve as a reminder of God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His ongoing faithfulness.

5. New Testament Connections:

In the New Testament, these festivals find their fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are seen as foreshadowing Christ's sacrificial death and His role as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29). The Feast of Tabernacles, with its themes of God's presence and provision, points to the ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14) and provides eternal sustenance and shelter.

The fifteenth day of the month, therefore, is a day rich with historical, cultural, and theological significance, serving as a pivotal point in the liturgical calendar of ancient Israel and offering profound insights into the redemptive narrative of Scripture.