Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Seudat Mashiach / Messiah’s Feast

Towards the last day of Passover: Happy Yom Tov! And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.” Vayikra / Leviticus 23:5-8 The seventh day of Passover is a day of rest and according to tradition this is the day God parted the Yam Suf (Sea of Reeds, Red Sea) when Pharaoh chased Israel with murderous intent. There is also a custom from Hasidic Judaism of having a Messiah feast on this day, or as it is called in Hebrew a Seudat Mashiach. The seudat mashiach anticipates the Messianic banquet when Mashiach is fully revealed. The custom recalls redemption from Egypt, and future redemption and regathering of Israel. But what is the Sudat HaMashiach and where it comes from? The Seudat Mashiach or “Messiah’s Feast” is a final meal of Passover that is focused on the Messiah and his role as bringing the final redemption. The celebration of the Seudat Mashiach began with the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the modern Hasidic movement in Judaism. I you...