The Meal of Messiah
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Saturday 11th April 2026 9th Day of Omer 24th Nisan 5786
PARASHAT SHEMINI The Meal of Messiah
Leviticus 9:1-11:47, 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17, Matthew 3:11-17
Mashiach's Seudah – Messiah’s Meal:
What, Why and How
The theological publishing arm of FFOZ, called the Vine of David, published a book called The Meal of Messiah - Seudat Mashiach – The Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
And they have a liturgy for what is similar to the actual seder meal but with certain differences. In the introduction, I read that in Chassidic thought, they consider that the focus of this 7th day meal is upon Messiah (however, in the disapora, there is an 8th day of Pesach).
In other words, this meal of Messiah is a rehearsal for a great banquet celebration in Olam Habah – the World to Come and so, this concluding meal is also called Seudat Mashiach – the Meal of Messiah!
Apparently, this custom was introduced by the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, also known as the Baal Shem Tov.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn (1789–1866), known as the Tzemach Tzedek, was the third Rebbe (leader) of the Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidic movement. He is revered as one of the most prolific and authoritative Torah scholars in Jewish history, bridging the worlds of Talmudic law (Halacha) and Chassidic mysticism. He wrote concerning this 7th day festive meal:
“The last day of Pesach is the conclusion of that which began on the first night of Pesach. The first night of Pesach is our festival commemorating our redemption from Egypt by the Holy One, blessed be He! It was the first redemption carried out through Moshe Rabbeinu, who was the first redeemer; it was the beginning.
The last day of Pesach is our festival commemorating the final redemption, when the Holy One, Blessed be He, will redeem us from the last exile through our righteous Moshiach, who is the final redeemer.
THE FIRST DAY IS MOSHE RABBEINU’S FESTIVAL;
THE LAST DAY IS MESSIAH’S FESTIVAL”
What Is the Mashiach's Meal?
Following a tradition instituted by the Baal Shem Tov, Jews all over the world celebrate the waning hours of Passover with Mashiach’s Meal – Mashiach’s Seudah - a feast celebrating the Divine revelation yet to come.
The Feasts of the Lord recorded in Leviticus 3 (not Israel’s festivals or the feasts of the Jews – God says these are My holy convocations) are called a Holy Convocation or a sacred assembly (Mikra’eh Kodesh) and it is defined as ‘something called out, a public meeting, a rehearsal’.
From this we can legitimately deduce that this Seudat Mashiach – this 7th day of Pesach meal - is the foreshadowing of the meal mentioned in Revelations:
Rev 19:6-9
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb !'"
We, who are the Bride of Messiah, are being prepared to reign with Him and that preparation involves the refiner’s fire. Yes, it will be ‘eina’ to the flesh but the end of that process will produce a Bride who is cleansed, washed and worthy to be invited to dine at His Table. Verse 9 says that we will be called ‘blessed’.
Why Do We Celebrate This Meal?
On the last day of Passover, we read verses from the book of Isaiah as the haftorah portion. The verses from the prophet Isaiah many wondrous prophecies about the era of Messiah. The prophecy foretells of a leader upon whom “the spirit of the L‑rd shall rest, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and heroism, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the L‑rd.”
In addition to bringing peace to mankind (“he will judge the poor justly, and he shall chastise with equity the humble of the earth”), the new peace and G‑dly understanding will extend to all of G‑d’s creatures: “And a wolf shall live with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie with a kid . . . and a small child shall lead them.”
The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement, was the first one to celebrate this meal, with an open door, allowing anyone who wished to partake. The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe explained that on the last day of Passover, the radiance of Mashiach is already shining.
As followers of Yeshua, we know this to be true by the indwelling Ru’ach HaKodesh.
This meal is held following Minchah (the afternoon service) on the eighth day of Passover. In Israel, where Passover is seven days long, Mashiach’s Meal is held on the seventh day. The celebration customarily extends past nightfall, ushering out Passover amid song, words of Torah and inspiration.
How Is the Moshiach's Meal Celebrated?
In 1906 Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber of Lubavitch incorporated four cups of wine and matzah into Moshiach’s Meal, mirroring the Seder held the week before. You can also serve fruit and other Passover goodies.
It is not a third seder, but it can include some of its elements.
Revelations 19:7-8
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready,She was given fine linen to wear, bright and clean! For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the kedoshim (holy ones).”
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good (righteous) deeds (works) and glorify your Father in heaven.”
May we be increasingly fruitful to the glory of HaShem and the extension of His Kingdom!
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