The Jewish festivals, also known as the Feasts of the Lord, are a series of sacred observances instituted by God for the people of Israel. These festivals are deeply rooted in the religious and cultural life of the Jewish people and are detailed primarily in the Torah, particularly in Leviticus 23. They serve as times of worship, remembrance, and celebration, reflecting God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His redemptive plan for humanity.

Passover (Pesach): Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as described in Exodus 12. It begins on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan, and involves the sacrifice of a lamb, symbolizing the blood that protected the Israelites from the plague of the firstborn. The Berean Standard Bible states, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD" (Exodus 12:14).

Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot): Immediately following Passover, this seven-day festival emphasizes the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, during which they ate unleavened bread. Leviticus 23:6 instructs, "On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you must eat unleavened bread."

Feast of Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim): Celebrated on the day after the Sabbath following Passover, this feast marks the beginning of the barley harvest. It is a time to offer the firstfruits of the harvest to God, acknowledging His provision. Leviticus 23:10-11 commands, "When you enter the land that I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest."

Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost): Occurring fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, Shavuot celebrates the wheat harvest and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is a time of thanksgiving and renewal of the covenant. Leviticus 23:16 states, "You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD."

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): This festival marks the beginning of the civil year and is a time of reflection and repentance. It is characterized by the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn) as a call to worship and repentance. Leviticus 23:24 declares, "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts."

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): The holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur is a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and repentance. It is a time for the atonement of sins and reconciliation with God. Leviticus 23:27 instructs, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You are to hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD."

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): This seven-day festival commemorates the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's provision during that time. It involves dwelling in temporary shelters (sukkot) and is a time of joy and thanksgiving for the harvest. Leviticus 23:34 states, "On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD, which lasts seven days."

These festivals not only serve as historical reminders but also hold prophetic significance, pointing to the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ. They are integral to understanding the biblical narrative and God's unfolding plan of salvation.