“Aviv Barley Simplified” begins the video series Establishing the Head of the Year. Every year there are differing opinions about how to start the Hebrew calendar year. How to begin the Hebrew Calendar year is a slightly complex topic. And there are many different ideas about how to do it. So, how do we know which calendar to follow?

In the Torah the priesthood has the duty to qualify the witnesses to the aviv barley (in the land of Israel). And then, when there are enough qualified witnesses, then the priesthood has the duty of declaring the Head of the New Year (Rosh Hashana) based on those witnesses to the aviv barley.

In this series we want to put together a simple study, covering the basics for those who want to learn how aviv barley is properly identified and how the head of the Hebrew New Year (Rosh Hashana) is properly declared. And in this first segment, our goal is to help you understand how we qualify the witnesses to the aviv barley.

The appointed times (Moedim)

The feasts are special ‘appointed times’ (or Moedim), which are essentially dates with our Husband Yeshua. If we do not want to stand Yeshua up, so-to-speak, then it is important for us to meet with Him on time, when He is expecting us. And this means that we need to know which calendar is His true calendar, and how to keep it.

Knowing Yahweh’s true calendar is not always easy. There are many other voices, and many look-alike versions of Yahweh’s calendar. And these calendars usually provide a broader, easier road. But since Yahweh’s feasts are His appointed times, it is important to keep His feasts at the correct time. We need to learn how He is doing things, and we need to do things the right way. And that is the purpose of this series.

Qualifying aviv barley

There are three main questions when we talk about determining the head of the year (Rosh HaShanah) based on the aviv barley. It is a complex topic, but we are going to explain these things.

1. What exactly is aviv barley? What are the specifications, how can we know? Because, like I say, there are a lot of different voices, a lot of different opinions. So how do we know what aviv barley is?
2. How much of aviv barley do we need?
3. When do we need this aviv barley?

These three questions can be condensed down into two main positions. We will talk about:

The pro-Yeshua position

1. We present the very first sheaf of aviv barley.
2. Declare aviv barley with young, tender, green, medium dough. (Leviticus 2:14-15, OT:24 ‘abiyb’)
3. Follows Yahweh’s commandments by presenting the firstfruits of aviv barley (Leviticus 2:14-15, OT:1061 bikkuwr, OT:1069 bakar)
4. Follows the pattern practiced during Yeshua’s time in the first century.

Spiritual significance

1. Bringing the firstruits sheaf to the priesthood, to be presented unto Yahweh, honors Him by keeping His commandments.
2. Honors Yeshua HaMashaich, our firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:23)
3. First, we bring a sheaf of the firstfruits (representing Yeshua), then this clears the way for the rest of the harvest.

The anti-Yeshua position

1. Doctrine kept by Karaite groups (including Karaite led interfaith movements) and calendar group Abib of God (primarily a Messianic search group).
2. Holds doctrine of “harvest-ripe barley” (rather than firstfruits).
3. Declares aviv barley with dry, brittle, brown harvest-ready barley (rather than young, tender, green heads of the firstfruits).
4. Teach that it is necessary to have “whole fields” of barley.

Spiritual significance

1. Karaite doctrine wants to bring in the harvest first, then they want to bring an [anti-] sheaf of that harvest to the priest.
2. They do not bring the firstfruits.
3. Honoring the anti-messiah.
4. Zionist Judah and Zionism means that you do not need to wait for the Messiah, but that the people (the harvest) can be their own messiah.

Join us for “Aviv Barley Simplified” as we discuss all this and more. And for more information, please also see our book on The Torah Calendar and our video series on The Feasts and the Ancient Hebrew Wedding.

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