Question
Gramps,
Why should we study the Jewish feast?
Deborah
Answer
Dear Deborah,
Most of the Jewish feasts have their roots in the Bible. By studying them, their history, development and observances, we enrichen our understanding of the world of the scriptures. In and of themselves the Jewish feasts are beautiful expressions of remembrance. They are a reminder of the miracles God performed for his covenant people. Everything in the Passover is designed to show how the Israelites were slaves, they were afflicted and downtrodden, yet God himself came down to deliver them out of bondage and take them to freedom, and how He will bring salvation again in the future. Every man (women and children included) is to consider himself as if he himself were a slave in Egypt. This leads you to remember what miracles God has performed in your own life.
Another point to remember is that we are in the dispensation of the fullness of times. It is helpful to remember the ancient laws and ways of the Lord’s covenant people.
In 2 Nephi 29:5 it says,
5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.
Perhaps we shouldn’t forget them either.