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Other important general Zmanim related info:
Again, very importantly, we look all of these termini as pointers to a joyful way to freely and optionally celebrate creation.
Even though some recipients of this part of our Jewish tradition conceived more or less strict ways of legalism based on these observations and definitions, there is no legalism involved for us, at all :)
FASTS:
Here our general outline for Minor fasts (all, but Yom Kippur and Tish'a B'Av):
Tchilat Ta'anit (BEGINNING OF FAST): 'Alot Hashachar. Eating before ‘Alot HaShachar is OK.
Soph Ta'anit (END OF FAST): fasts end at Tzeit HaKochavim.
Remember: Stay healthy. Practice leniently and carefully; we are NOT legalistic and the L-rd looks at your heart :)
Other fasts: please refer to Rabbis specific announcements.
PESACH / PASSOVER
Zmanim for Erev Pesach
Soph zman achilat chametz = the time set to stop eating chametz is the fourth hour of the day on the day preceding Pesach (Erev Pesach).
Soph zman sreiphat chametz = cut-off time for using chametz and time of destruction / removal of chametz is the fifth hour of the day preceding Pesach.
Visiting ISRAEL:
Knissat Shabbat = The Israeli Law of Tosefet Shabbat states that Shabbat and the Holidays start before the sunset. When in Israel, there may be different times prescribed for this advance, depending on the community you are in.
To accept Shabbat 30 minutes in advance of Shkiat HaChamah (sunset) is a good figure for politeness.
SPECIFIC MESSIANIC ZMANIM:
Just like all others, these Zmanim are also not strictly observed by all congregations.
Some do and some don’t. Still, you may find some who are truly enthusiastic about them.
They rejoice greatly in living in the Word and walking with G-d that way.
What ever you decide for you and your family: let the L-rd guide you so you arrive at more joy, strength and closeness in your walk with Him.
Tefillat Moshiach = beginning of the traditional Night watch on the day preceding Erev Erev Pesach Shabbat. This remembers the ‘Last Supper’ and the night of spiritual battle and fervent tefillot Yeshua went through. It begins after Plag HaMinchah on the day preceding Erev Erev Pesach Shabbat.
The soph is determined by the leading of the Ruach Hakodesh and may even occur as late as Plag HaMincha on Erev Erev Pesach Shabbat.
The Night Watch traditionally follows the account of the pertaining scripture portions in the B’rit Chadashah in scripture-reading, solemn worship, fellowship and tefillot. Messianic Prophecies and their fulfillment are cited and prayerfully reflected. Visitors are invited to special events, so they can experience majestically solemn and beautiful music such as J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and/or his St. John Passion, which are performed or listened to with an open B’rit Chadasha.
For many European Ashkenazi Chaverim and Chaverot this night is the beginning of a continuous ‘walk’ with the account of the scriptures that culminates in a large chag (celebration / ‘Fest’) on Resurrection Sunday and Resurrection Monday. For young believers: this is the occasion to learn to stand a watch !
Sha’ah Moshiach = a one hour time span during which Moshiach’s last suffering on the stauroV (sta-oor-os; Greek: cross) and His carrying of the punishment of all our sins on Erev Erev Pesach is remembered. Preceding this hour, many remember the specifics of His way from early morning until the last hour of His suffering. Following this hour, many reflect on the fulfillment of G-d’s promises and the various signs mentioned in the B’rit Chadashah such as the tearing of the curtain, the earth quake, the darkness, the appearance of Saints from their graves, the Roman captain’s testimony and the sadness of the first disciples.
Begins at the 8 1/2 hour of the day and ends at the 9 1/2 hour of Erev Erev Pesach (Sha’ot Zmaniot; see Minchah Qtanah !).
For ‘08 in E-NYC: 3:44pm to 4:51pm EDT; or for those who wish to synchronize with Yerushalayim-time: 15:22h to 16:27h IDT, or 8:22am to 9:27am EDT.
Good Friday = A Christian day of solemn remembrance of Moshiach’s suffering and death. It is calculated by the Christian Churches according to a method that primarily focuses on the spring equinox. Sadly, this calculation puts Pesach and ‘Easter’ often apart from each other.
Together with true Christians and all Chaverim and Chaverot in Yeshua, we also ‘remember’ on Good Friday: with Sha’a Moshiach Qatan. Likewise we remember on preceding Maundy Thursday with Tefillat Moshiach Qatan; basis for this is the oneness in Moshiach.
Still, for us the main time to remember the suffering and the death of Yeshua Moshiach, and celebrate His resurrection is every day; on the calendar it is the traditional and scriptural context of Pesach.
Chag Moshiach = Resurrection day. A great day of Shalom and Praise, ultimate victory, symbolizing ‘Am Yisroel Chai’, the fulfillment of Ez. 37, eternal life for all saved ones, the Glorious Love of G-d, the living and unbreakable promises of G-d for His Children and much more. Celebrated on the day following Shabbat HaGadol Pesach (and by many also on the traditional Resurrection Sunday).
Chag shel Ruach Hakodesh = Celebration of the outpouring of the promised Ruach Hakodesh, who leads us ‘into all truth’.
Oftentimes a large one- or two-day celebration beginning with misheyakir on the 50th day following Shabbat HaGadol Pesach. See: Shavuot.
Please note: due to the solstice/equinox-based calculation of the Christian Churches, the Christian Pentecost mostly falls on a different day; Still some congregations celebrate both days in joy since most Messianic congregations celebrate all the feasts of the Bible on a 24/7, 365 yomim basis :)
Molad Moshiach = A one to three day celebration based on and aligned with Christmas.
Again: the wonderful Messianic promises of G-d in His word are reflected on in great depth on that occasion. Worship and music is in line with Channukah and (not: but) may even feature glorious orchestral performances of G. F. Händel’s Messiah or J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
Many Congregations also celebrate out of ‘solidarity’ and oneness in Yeshua, according to the creative motto: “Do not take Moshiach out of Christmas, either !”
Go to basic explanation of Hebrew Time-Terminology.
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