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 as we hope to solve these concerns.

Ancient Path New Moon:
For several years, we qualified Becca as a barley inspector. Becca does a lot of good things, and she seems to have a good technique when inspecting. Her definitions of aviv barley is very clear. However, recently we have noticed her inspection requirements changing. For example, at times Becca will present that the omer must be harvested with an ‘ancient sickle’ that would have been used in ‘ancient times’.

Other times, Becca will comment that there are rocks in a field which would disqualify the barley, as there would be no way to use a ‘plow’ to harvest the crop. And last year, Becca stated publicly that she is not attempting to do things as done in ‘ancient days’. And that if groups follow her reports expecting this (ancient path), they are following the wrong person. (For Nazarene Israel, as a group who is attempting to do things the ‘biblical way’, we find this statement shocking and completely contradictive, considering the name ‘Ancient Path New Moon’ and other teachings she has made.)

Another issue we have with Becca’s inspections is that Becca practices retroactively declaring the month (or Rosh HaShanah) up to the 10th day of the new month. This causes a significant problem as many would not have enough time to make it up to Jerusalem in time for the feasts, leading a portion of the nation to be in violation of Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:16 and Shemote (Exodus) 34:22:23.

We also have concerns about Becca’s requirements for qualifying barley that we have not found in the written Torah, as well as a seemingly Talmudic direction in her teachings. (We have attempted to convey our concerns with Becca for several years, but Becca has blocked us and demanded that we do not contact her, leaving all of these issues unaddressed.)

Again, we recognize many good, correct things that Becca does do in her inspections. She seems to have a good definition of ‘aviv’ barley. For that reason, we may review her reports for relevant data, depending on the situation. However, due to the other concerns and lack of correction, we are no longer able to qualify Becca’s barley reports at this time. 

Sighted Moon:
As of 2026, are switching to Joe Dumond and his group for our main inspection reports. Joe is doing some good things in his inspections and we hope to encourage him to edify his work even better. We have some concerns regarding his inspection technique and the details in his reporting, but these things can be improved upon if Joe is willing. (We think it would help his group long-term!)

One issue is that Sighted Moon’s video footage is difficult to verify. It is not always clear in where in each field the inspection is taking place in comparison with roadsides, (which are altered locations and do not represent the true state of the rest of the field). We also find Sighted Moon’s terminology and definition of aviv barley to be loose and easily confusing for those listening to his reports. And when asked for clarifications on specific locations and field types, Joe does not seem willing to communicate clarifications about his group’s reports.

In addition, Sighted Moon also determines that it is okay to conduct and/or report upon their inspections several days after the new moon has begun, forcing a retroactive determination for the month of aviv (or even a reversal for some groups as has happened this year). Joe states that he inspects up to the 10th day of the month, and due to this practice, his reports are sometimes released far too late for those keeping the feasts. Again, this is a problem for those who need the full 14 days so as to not violate (Deuteronomy) 16:16 and Shemote (Exodus) 34:22:23.

That said, even with late reporting and a lot of unclear video footage, we were able to confirm that Sighted Moon found aviv barley in at least one location this year (Mash’en), and possibly the Charlie Checkpoint location as well.

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 made by the inspectors. And this would have been necessary in ancient biblical times, as well. (2 Chronicles 30 shows a clear need to send out messengers throughout the Land.)

We humbly ask Joe to inspect and report prior to the start of the month, to form standard terminology for verbally identifying aviv dough, and to edify his video footage to be clearer to 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 Date Tree, Abib of God, Yoel Halevi:

We often receive questions about other (Karaite, Messianic, etc.) barley groups whose barley witnessing we cannot recommend. These groups 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, (in violation of Devarim 4:2). 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.

New moon witnesses:
Several groups sight the first crescent sliver of the new moon well. NI uses various new moon witnesses who report on the new moon each month. Again, as far as we can tell, only sister Becca Biderman publishes accurate barley reports. 

Let us know!
If you have information about additional ‘barley groups’ in Israel not listed here, which reports on the barley in accordance with the Scriptural definitions of ‘aviv’, we welcome you to 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!