In Leviticus 23, the Lord directed Moses to establish appointed festivals for the Israelites. These were to be holy convocations in which the Jewish people came together to remember their heritage and celebrate their covenant with God. Observant Jews continue to celebrate these occasions.
Sabbath: The first holiday mentioned is the weekly Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, observed each and every Saturday (vs. 3).
Passover: Every year, in the first month (Nisan) on the 14th day at twilight, the passover offering takes place, in remembrance of the Passover (the tenth plague upon Egypt).
Unleavened Bread: In the first month, on the 15th day and lasting for 7 days, is the festival of unleavened bread, in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt.
Firstfruits: An offering of firstfruits takes place the day after the last sabbath of Passover.
Weeks (also known as Pentecost): The festival of weeks takes place seven weeks (50 days) after firstfruits. It is traditionally understood as a celebration of God giving the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
Trumpets (also known as Rosh Hashanah): On the first day of the seventh month (the sabbatical month of Tishri in which these last three holidays take place), a holy convocation was held with trumpet blasts.
Day of Atonement: The tenth day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement, regarded as the most sacred Jewish holiday.
Booths (also known as Tabernacles): A seven-day festival of booths was held starting on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, commemorating the journey of the Hebrews to the Promised Land when they lived in booths (tents).
Of course, other holidays were added to this list as history progressed, including Purim and Hanukkah.
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