From the beginning, Yahuah (God) has desired to have relationship with people. Throughout history, He established avenues for this. One way He instructed the Hebrew people is through feasts. The word moadim in Hebrew is usually translated feast, but literally means "appointed times."

The annual feasts were arranged in such a way as to remind the people of Israel and His ways, but to also point to a Messiah, a Saviour. That promised One is Yahusha/Jesus.

In Leviticus 23, Yahuah (God) speaks to Moses about seven feasts. Observant Hebrews still celebrate them now.

Four feasts occur in the spring in Israel and are connected to Yahusha'/Jesus' first appearance on earth. They are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks. Three feasts in the fall in Israel are bunched into fifteen days. Scholars and theologians believe the symbolism of these feasts will be literally fulfilled in connection with Yahusha'/Jesus' second coming. They are the Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles.

Here's how all seven feasts, described in Leviticus 23, are connected with Yahusha/Jesus.

Passover points to Yahusha/Jesus as the Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The perfect lamb's blood was spilled to protect the Hebrews from the tenth plague prior to their release from Egypt. Yahusha'/Jesus' blood serves as our covering against the justice brought against us due to our sin. Yahusha/Jesus was crucified on the day the Jews slaughtered lambs in preparation for Passover the next day.

The Unleavened Bread describes Yahusha'/Jesus' sinless life. Leaven is symbolic of sin throughout the Bible. Yahusha/Jesus was without sin and therefore a blameless, spotless, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Yahusha'/Jesus' body remained in the grave during the beginning days of this feast. He, like a planted seed, would resurrect into new life.

Yahusha/Jesus was resurrected on the day of First Fruits, becoming the first to defeat death and offer us new life. This is one reason Paul refers to Yahusha/Jesus as the "firstfruit" of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. Several sacrifices were made during the Weeks Festival, which is tied to the theme of harvest. It was at Pentecost (Acts 2) that Yahusha/Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. Peter preached and about 3,000 Jews responded to his proclamation of the gospel. This Pentecost is considered by many to be the birth of the church.

The Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, is the first fall feast. Many connect this to when Yahusha/Jesus returns for the believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Corinthians 15:52), as it is announced by the blast of a trumpet. The trumpet reminded the Hebrew people of their past, such as Yahuah's (God's) giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20). It was a reminder of Yahuah's (God's) power and meant to remind the people to remain faithful to Yahuah (God). The feast is also associated with Yahuah's (God's) coming judgment.

Also in the fall in Israel, the Day of Atonement is when the Israelite remnant is to look upon the One they pierced, repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah as foretold in Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:1–6, 25–36. Yahusha/Jesus has already made atonement for believers (Jew and Gentile alike) on the cross. Many believe this festival points prophetically to Yahusha'/Jesus' second coming when atonement is fully realized and the Jewish remnant recognizes Yahusha/Jesus as Messiah.

The seventh festival, the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths foreshadows when Yahusha/Jesus will once again dwell with His people (Michal 4:1–7). Yahusha/Jesus has already come as Immanuel, (Yah-God with us), and dwelled on earth among people. But He will come to reign for 1,000 years on earth and ultimately live with His people for all eternity in the new heavens and new earth.

Many Messianic believers celebrate these festivals today. Should everyone? Paul instructs us to follow our convictions in Colossians 2:16–17 and not judge those who do or do not practice these feasts. Certainly studying the feasts is a beneficial exercise, as they are a shadow of what is fulfilled in Messiah, and we are welcome to celebrate these festivals if we choose.