Note: NI labels studies with calendar dates of 5785/2025 for publishing purposes only. 

b. Witness qualification:

There are several barley calendar groups and individual inspectors. We recognize that each group does good things, and we appreciate each group for their efforts. We believe they all mean well. That said, we have several concerns with definitions, qualification requirements, and timing in each group. Please pray with us that Yahweh will help us to resolve these concerns.

Ancient Path New Moon:
For several years, we qualified Becca as a barley inspector. Becca is extremely knowledgeable, and she does a lot of good things. She has exemplary technique when inspecting, and we encourage all other barley groups to emulate her technique. However, recently we have noticed her definitions and her inspection requirements changing. Last year, Becca stated publicly that she is not attempting to do things as done in the days of Yeshua or before–and if people follow her reports expecting her to do things as they were done in ancient times, that they are following the wrong person. Respectfully, we find this statement shocking and contradictory to Becca’s ministry title (“In Search of His Ancient Path”), and this seems to constitute a radical change from her earlier approach (in 2021).

Perhaps due to her adoption of the “Seven Species Calendar” (which concept is Talmudic), Becca also practices retroactively declaring Rosh HaShanah (the New Year) up to the 10th day of the month. This causes chaos, and many would not have enough time to make it up to Jerusalem in time for the feasts, causing them to violate Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:16 and Shemote (Exodus) 34:22:23.

Becca also expresses that (paraphrase) “Her Father commands her (to do certain things)” that we cannot find any support for in Scripture. Further, her teachings seem to be drifting quietly and subtly more toward the Talmudic understanding. We have attempted to communicate our concerns with Becca for several years, but Becca blocked us suddenly and completely last year, and insisted that we not contact her (in violation of Matthew 18), leaving all these issues unaddressed.

Again, we recognize many good things that Becca does in her inspections. For that reason, we may review her reports for relevant data, depending on the situation. However, due to the concerns and lack of brotherly communication, we are no longer able to qualify Becca’s barley reports.

Sighted Moon:
As of 5786/2026, we are cautiously and tentatively switching to use Joe Dumond and his group for our main inspection reports. Joe has the right basic idea, and is doing some good things in his inspections, and we are encouraging him to make some small but important changes that will make his barley reporting much easier to use. In love, we have asked him to make some small-but-important changes regarding his barley inspection technique, and in the details of his reporting. These things can be improved to benefit our whole nation, if Joe is willing. (We ask for your prayers that he will be willing!)

One issue is that Sighted Moon’s video footage is difficult to verify. It is not always clear exactly where the inspection is taking place, so that other inspectors can verify. We need to know how far away from the road the inspection took place, the condition of the ground (has the earth been compacted or altered by man), etc. We are also asking him to use the accepted terminology, rather than redefine things. Further, it would be great if Joe would please respond to requests for clarification.

In addition, Joe also teaches retroactive declarations of the barley. That is, they believe that it is okay to report their inspection results AFTER the new month has already begun. This causes chaos. Most people need the full 14 days that Yahweh allows, so they can get time off work, pack, travel, etc., to obey Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:16 and Shemote (Exodus) 34:22:23, especially if they live outside of the land.

All of that said, even with late reporting and a lot of unclear video footage, Sighted Moon found several fields of late worm or early soft dough barley with 11 days to go, in shirt-sleeve weather, full sun, and all other qualifiers in place near Checkpoint Charlie. (While the Mash’en location was a very questionable “hotspot”, it seems that there was ample barley in the Checkpoint Charlie area, with plenty of time to come ripe.) Sadly, Joe refused to do a reinspection of Checkpoint Charlie the day following the Omer offering, but with decent weather, 11 days is ample time to go from the worm stage, to medium dough (aviv).

In summation, there are many outside the Land who desire to keep the feasts in keeping with Torah, who are dependent upon clear, accurate, and timely reporting by the inspectors. Such inspections would have been necessary in ancient times, as well. 2 Chronicles 30 shows a clear need to send out messengers throughout the Land with enough time for the people to mobilize and respond. That is to say that Time is a critical factor.

We humbly ask our brother Joseph Dumond to inspect and report prior to the start of the month next year, and to use the standard terminology and definitions for verbally identifying aviv dough, and to edify his video footage to be clearer (and to provide still closeups) for the priesthood (as a qualifying authority), and for those watching outside the Land. We believe that focusing on these improvements will help Joe in his work, as well as those of us following his reports.

Devorah’s Date Tree, Abib of God, Yoel Halevi:
We often receive questions about other (Karaite, Messianic, etc.) barley groups whose barley witnessing we cannot recommend. The problem is that these groups ignore Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:9 (while claiming they do not), and many of them require an equinox or equilux (which we consider sun worship). They also they define “Firstfruits” as a random sheaf from the middle of the harvest. Further, they add rules and definitions that Yahweh does not give (in violation of Devarim 4:2 and other places). Due to these errors, these calendar groups are generally always a month (or sometimes two months) late in observing the feasts. Therefore, we cannot qualify their inspections. Norman plans to do a full breakdown on their reports in coming weeks, and asks that you please pray about supporting this work if you find such reports helpful.

New moon witnesses:
Barley and the new moon are two different things, and several groups sight the first crescent sliver of the new moon reliably, including Yoel HaLevi, Devorah Gordon, Becca Biderman, and others. However, please consider the new moon reporting and the barley reporting to be separate from each other.

Let us know!
If you have information about additional witnesses to the barley in Israel not listed here which report accurately, please send us their website, social media links, or any other information to contact@nazareneisrael.org, so that we may examine the groups’ work and make a qualified determination.

Chag Sameach!