Why Isn't the Jehovah's Witnesses Memorial the Same Night as Passover for the Jewish People?

The Origins and Transformations of Passover

In the mythology, Passover observes the time when the Jews were liberated from Egypt and the plague of death passed them over. However, in the New Testament, Jesus made it all about himself, essentially trashing the traditional Passover celebrations. This article explores the nuances of these differences and the reasons behind the differing schedules of the memorial observed by Jehovah's Witnesses in comparison to traditional Passover.

Divergent Calendars and Celebrations

The biblical calendar, in contrast to the popular Gregorian calendar, has specific features. Months are defined by the phase of the moon, allowing for a more precise determination of the date approximately a couple of days from seeing the moon. Additionally, the calendar is self-correcting. On the other hand, the Gregorian calendar disregards the moon to maintain a cleaner calendar layout, albeit with less precision.

Biblical Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar

Months start at the new moon: The year starts at the first new moon when the barley is aviv. This system ensures that the festivals of unleavened bread and first fruits are observed accurately Leap months: Adar2 is added during a 19-year cycle to correct the duration of the year Revised by Hillel 2: Around 359 CE, Hillel 2 calculated a 19-year cycle including 7 distributed leap-months, ensuring the calendar stays accurate over time Roman Calendar for Easter: Easter was originally always on March 21st, eventually becoming the first Sunday after the full moon before the vernal equinox. This indirectly approximates the point in spring when the barley is aviv

The Impact on Passover Scheduling

The crucial issue lies in the timing relative to the spring season and the aviv state of barley. For this year, the vernal equinox is on March 19th. According to some friends in Israel, the barley was already aviv by March 7/8. Therefore, the next new moon on March 10th would likely mark the beginning of Nisan, not the leap month of Adar2, per Hillel 2’s pattern. This would place Nisan 14 on March 24th, aligning with the traditional schedule followed by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Memorial Practices and Interpretations

Jesus’ command to “keep doing this in remembrance of me” at the last supper is the focus of the Jehovah's Witnesses' memorial. This differs from traditional Passover for several reasons. The question of whether the last supper was a Passover meal or on the day of preparation is a matter of deep theological debate. The timing in 33 CE or 30 CE, the starting month, and the day of the week are all subject to varied interpretations.

Humble and Responsible Memorialization

It is essential to remain humble and prayerful in following the Bible, rather than becoming overly attached to any single tradition. There are valid arguments on all sides, and prayerful study will lead to a deeper understanding. Ultimately, both sides share a common goal of honoring the memory of Jesus and maintaining spiritual integrity.

Conclusion

The differences in scheduling between the Jehovah's Witnesses' memorial and traditional Passover highlight the complexity of ancient traditions and the importance of continued contemplation and dialogue. Understanding the historical and calendrical contexts can foster mutual respect and appreciation among different faith communities.