More than two thousand years ago, a forgotten miracle of our people was written into history—yet most of Israel no longer remembers it. The book of 3rd Maccabees records a time of terror, prayer, and deliverance when YHWH saved His people from destruction. From this salvation arose a festival called Chag Yeshua—“The Feast of Deliverance.”
This feast was once celebrated annually, but with the removal of 3 Maccabees from the canon, the celebration vanished. Today, as we seek to restore the ancient paths, this festival deserves its place once more on our calendar.
The Story of Deliverance
In 217 BCE, after the Battle of Raphia, Ptolemy IV Philopator of Egypt attempted to enter the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem but was miraculously repelled (3Macc. 1–2). Humiliated, he returned to Egypt and sought revenge on the Jewish people there.
He lowered their political status, forced pagan practices upon them, and slaughtered those who refused (3Macc. 2:25–5:51). It seemed the Jews of Alexandria would be annihilated.
But then, a righteous elder priest named El’azar lifted up his voice in prayer:
“O king, mighty in power, most high, Almighty Elohim, who regulate the whole creation with Your tender mercy, look upon the seed of Avraham, upon the children of the sanctified Ya’akov, Your sanctified inheritance, O Father, now being wrongfully destroyed as strangers in a strange land.”
(3 Maccabees 6:1–3)
YHWH heard. He intervened with power, turned the king’s heart to repentance, and delivered His people (3Macc. 6–7). In response, the Jews established an annual feast called Chag Yeshua (The Feast of Deliverance), to be kept each year on the 12th of Elul.
Parallels to the Amidah
El’azar’s prayer is striking in its resemblance to the opening blessing of the Amidah, known as Avot (“the Fathers”):
“Blessed Are You YHWH, our Elohim and Elohim of our fathers;
Elohim of Avraham, Elohim of Yitzchak, Elohim of Yaacov,
the great and mighty and awesome Elohim, the most high Elohim,
who bestows grace and creates all
and remembers the kindnesses of the fathers
and brings a Redeemer to their children’s children,
for His Name’s sake with love.
O King, helper, Savior, and Shield!
Blessed are You YHWH, Shield of Avraham.”
The echoes are unmistakable. El’azar calls upon the Elohim of the patriarchs, as the Amidah does. He invokes YHWH as King, Mighty, and Merciful. And he pleads for the seed of Avraham to be spared.
When we pray the Amidah today, we are joining in the same cry for deliverance that brought salvation in Alexandria. On Chag Yeshua, we recite this prayer with renewed meaning, remembering that our Elohim does not abandon His people.
Why “Chag Yeshua”?
The Hebrew word for “deliverance” is Yeshua. Thus, the “Feast of Deliverance” can rightly be called the Feast of Yeshua. For us who follow Messiah, this festival shines with prophetic light:
- The salvation of Israel in Egypt foreshadows the greater salvation of Israel through Messiah Yeshua.
- The shield and deliverance provided in Alexandria reminds us that Messiah is the Shield and Redeemer of Avraham’s seed.
- This festival becomes both a memorial of past deliverance and a rehearsal for the greater redemption yet to come.
How to Celebrate Chag Yeshua
3 Maccabees tells us how the ancient Jews kept this festival. We can draw on these traditions in our own observance:
- The Banquet of Deliverance – A celebratory meal, more like a thanksgiving feast than a Passover seder. In modern times, a festive barbeque or family dinner fits the spirit. (3Macc. 6:31)
- Songs of Praise – They sang “songs of their fathers,” rejoicing in YHWH’s salvation. Songs that declare Him as Savior and Shield are especially fitting. (3Macc. 6:32)
- Hebraic Dance – Traditional rejoicing included dance before YHWH. (3Macc. 6:35)
- Recounting the Story – Retell the account from 3 Maccabees, so the miracle is never forgotten.
Since the festival falls in late summer (Elul), it naturally lends itself to outdoor gatherings, music, and community celebration.
When Is Chag Yeshua in 2025?
The festival was originally celebrated on the 12th of Elul. In 2025, this corresponds to:
📆 Wednesday, September 3rd (at sunset) through Wednesday, September 10th (at sunset)
🗓️ Elul 12–18, 5785 on the Hebrew calendar
This year, let us restore the forgotten feast of Chag Yeshua to its rightful place and honor the Shield of Avraham who still delivers His people.
A Call to Support the Work
Dear friends and supporters,
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Thank you for standing with us in restoring the ancient paths and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. May Yah bless you richly for your generosity.
With gratitude and shalom,
James Trimm
