Shavout

Hi I am Christian and have the Adventist faith. I am not interested in traditions but what the Bible Torah teach. If I started to celebrate Passover the 13th April at nightfall and end the first day of Passover at nightfall 14th April when will Shavout start? According Leviticus 23,15 and following verses. What means sabbath here, if it is the weekly seventh day sabbath when? And if it a festival-like sabbath when? I count now 9th Sivan today.

 

Shalom! 

Thank you for your question. 

The Jewish holidays were given to the Jewish people to observe. We don’t believe that there is any benefit for non-Jews to observe them. 

We believe that all that God wants from the Non-Jewish world is that they observe 7 precepts, or commandments. They are known as the “Noahide Laws.” They are called “Noahide Laws” because the requirement to observe these seven laws was given Noah, a righteous non-Jew (yes, the fellow from the story with the flood). 

The 7 laws are: 

1. Don’t murder. 

2. Don’t steal. 

3. Don’t worship false gods. 

4. Don’t be sexually immoral. 

5. Don’t eat a limb from an animal that is still alive. 

6. Don’t curse God. 

7. Establish a system of justice. 

Any human being who observes these laws goes to heaven. There is no need to follow any other religion. You can pray to God in your own words and your own language. 

Allow me to recommend the following sites to learn more about what G-d expects from Gentiles: https://sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com/ and https://www.netivonline.org/ which specializes in helping non-Jews with religious beliefs. There is a wealth of information there that you will find useful and inspiring. It is also worth looking up the “Noahide” or "B'nai Noach" movement and consider joining them! 

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)