Barley update 13 February 5786 / 2026
Feast of first month scenarios:
As of 13 February, the following are two possible scenarios for Rosh HaShanah and the feasts of the first month (including Shavuot). Scenarios are dependent on 1. confirmation of the new moon in the Land of Israel (or the 30-day default), and 2. whether there will be an omer’s worth of aviv barley ready to present on the Day of the Wave Sheaf Offering 15-21 days later. As always, scenarios remain unconfirmed until the first day of the new Hebrew month is officially confirmed.
Scenario 1: On 13 February 2026, Becca Biderman reported that there were no fruiting heads of legitimate barley in the Land of Israel at this time. (She says not yet, but soon.)
Some other barley groups monitor roadside barley in the Southern Jordan checkpoint area. Becca explains how unnatural heating elements cause the barley in these areas to grow unnaturally quicker than the rest of the Land. Therefore, barley in these areas cannot represent the natural state of barley in the Land.
In summation, as of 13 February, it is too early to declare the next new moon (expected to be visible on 18 February) as Rosh HaShanah.
Scenario 2: The new moon (expected to be visible from Israel on 20 March 2026) is a more likely scenario for Rosh HaShanah 2026 based upon the ‘current’ (13 February) state of the Land and the order in which things are known to grow each season in Israel. However, as always, we must wait for Yahweh’s timing to know when there will be an omer’s worth of aviv barley ready in the Land of Israel by 15-21 days after the start of the new month.
If neither scenario 1 or 2 fit the requirements for an omer’s worth of aviv barley by Yom HaNafat HaOmer, we will post the next scenario afterwards these two are no longer an option. Please continue reading for more details.
| Scenario 1: | (Dates could be one day later) |
| New Moon (expected, could be one day later): | 18 February (visibility 1.51%) |
| Rosh HaShanah (New Year): | 19 Feb (and the evening before) |
| Pesach (Passover): | 4 March (afternoon) |
| Chag HaMatzot Aleph (ULB1): | 5 March (and the evening before) |
| Yom HaNafat HaOmer (Wave Sheaf): | 8 March (and the evening before) |
| Chag HaMatzot Sheva (ULB7): | 11 March (and the evening before) |
| Shavuot (Pentecost) | 26 April (and the evening before) |
| Scenario 2: | (Dates could be one day later) |
| New Moon (expected): | 20 March (visibility 3.47%) |
| Rosh HaShanah (New Year): | 21 March (and the evening before) |
| Pesach (Passover): | 3 April (afternoon) |
| Chag HaMatzot Aleph (ULB1): | 4 April (and the evening before) |
| Yom HaNafat HaOmer (Wave Sheaf): | 5 April (and the evening before) |
| Chag Hamatzot Sheva (ULB7): | 10 April (and the evening before) |
| Shavuot (Pentecost) | 24 May (and the evening before) |
Our understanding is that the new year must begin when there is enough (one omer’s worth) of ‘aviv’ barley that will be ready to present as the ‘Firstfruits’ Wave Sheaf Offering by 15th to the 21st day of the first month.
Strong’s Concordance defines ‘aviv’ as ‘green’, ‘tender’, ‘young’ and ‘viable for seed’. It must also be the firstfruits, meaning not the middle of the harvest. (See study links below for more information.) This ‘Firstfruits’ Wave Sheaf Offering (in Temple times) is presented unto Elohim on behalf of the entire nation, and harvest can then begin afterwards. (Harvest cannot begin before Yom HaNafat HaOmer without violating Deuteronomy 16:9.)
Several Messianic and Karaite calendar groups declare the new year using barley that is brown, dry, brittle, and from the middle of the harvest (rather than the firstfruits as Scripture commands). They will call it aviv barley even though it does not fit the definition. And they will allow the firstfruits to fall to the ground. (They will even boast that the firstfruits have shattered and been lost!)
These groups also violate Deuteronomy 16:9 by allowing people to harvest prior to Yom HaNafat HaOmer. Other groups add requirements for declaring the new year that are not found in Scripture. Due to these errors, these groups usually declare the start of the Hebrew Year (Rosh HaShanah) late.
Currently, Becca Biderman is the only barley witness we know who identifies aviv barley accurately. (We do not support all of Becca’s work, but she seems to define aviv barley accurately. And we cannot support other groups that violate Scripture.)
Please stay up-to-date with Torah Calendar News for important updates on Rosh HaShanah and the feasts.
Feast schedule 5786-7 / 2026 (To be posted upon confirmation)
Printable PDF version
1st month count details
Timing for declaring Rosh HaShanah
Last barley season, there was a barley witness considering whether or not to declare Rosh HaShanah several days beyond the start of the new month (on the 9th or 10th day of the month). Our understanding is that the month of the aviv must be announced when the new month is announced. In ancient times it would take time for the news to spread, and for the people to prepare, and make the pilgrimage up to Jerusalem in time.
Declaring Rosh HaShanah days after the start of the month (for example, on the 9th or 10th day of the month) would cause chaos! Many would not receive news in time to select/purchase a lamb and to travel to Jerusalem. Many would be unable to make it in time, and a great part of the nation would be absent from the feasts! For more details on why it is necessary to have the 14 days Yahweh gives us to prepare for the feasts, please see “Babylon Mystery Calendars“.
We encourage you to check out our calendar studies, which explain the correct definitions of aviv barley, how to observe the calendar correctly, and errors found in other calendars. A full list of studies can be found in ‘Calendar studies’ below for convenience. We also encourage you to track our calendar updates on our Torah Calendar News page.
And just as a brief note, some ministries are declaring that you must be able to substantially “bring in the harvest” before you can declare the month of the Aviv. To see why this is completely wrong (and is damaging to the farmers), please check out our study, “Let’s Not Break Deuteronomy 16:9!”
How to correctly declare Rosh HaShanah
To declare the biblically correct Rosh HaShanah, Nazarene Israel must be certain that an omer quantity of the firstfruits of barley (in Israel) will be ready (in its aviv stage) within the 15-21 day time frame after the new moon sighting (in time for Yom HaNafat HaOmer, or the Day of the Wave Sheaf Offering). In simple terms, to declare Rosh HaShanah, we need to have an omer’s worth of aviv barley firstfruits ready to offer for Yom HaNafat HaOmer.
Other calendars claim to be biblical calendars, but get the timing wrong every year, which leads many to celebrating the feasts at the wrong times. This is because other calendars use non-biblical concepts not found in the written Torah when declaring the new year.
As we explain in our studies, declaring Rosh HaShanah too late (as the Karaites usually do) would cause Yahweh’s firstfruits to be lost. In contrast, when we declare Rosh HaShanah at the time when the firstfruits of aviv barley will be ready for Yom HaNafat HaOmer, 15-21 days after the new moon, everything aligns perfectly!
(For the latest barley reports, please click here.)
Keeping the correct calendar is important in order to meet with Yahweh on the days that He appointed to meet with us. We have many studies explaining how to keep the calendar according to the written Torah commandments, and why it is important. For more on how the Biblical Hebrew new year is determined (and how it is not determined), and how you and your family can keep the true biblical calendar (the Torah Calendar), please see the studies in the table below.
Calendar studies
Witnesses qualification
Currently, sister Becca Biderman of Ancient Path New Moon is the only barley inspector who seems to understand what a proper wave sheaf is (and why you should not let the true Firstfruits fall to the ground, so you can take your “first” fruits offering from the middle of the harvest, as other groups do). Becca documents her barley inspections, and her definitions of aviv barley seem accurate according to our understanding of Scripture.
Disclaimer: For reasons explained in our studies, NI does not support Messianic doctrine. We also do not support the doctrine of waiting to declare Rosh HaShanah many days after the new month begins. (It does not work.) For more on these topics, please see NI’s 2025 explanation in “Babylon Mystery Calendars“.)
Other barley groups:There are several other (Amalekite) barley groups whose work we cannot recommend in any way. They ignore Deuteronomy 16:9, they define “Firstfruits” as a random sheaf from the middle of the harvest, and they add rules and definitions that Yahweh does not add. They are often a month (or sometimes two months) late.New moon witnesses:
Several groups sight the first crescent sliver of the new moon well. NI uses various new moon witnesses for new moon reports. Again, as far as we can tell, only sister Becca Biderman publishes accurate barley reports.
Supporting His work
To support His kingdom work, you may click either of the links below. We thank Yahweh Elohim for your love for His kingdom.
Support the Great Commission on PayPal
Support the Great Commission on Patreon
