Rosh Chodesh (New Moon)

חדש ראש – (Rosh Chodesh (New Moon By Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David (Greg Killian)

Introduction...... 1 Is Rosh Chodesh a festival?...... 2 Shabbat Mevarchin...... 5 The First Mitzva...... 6 Synagogue Service:...... 8 The Torah for weekday Rosh Chodesh...... 8 Kiddush Lavanah Synagogue Service...... 9 Haftorah for Shabbat Erev Rosh Chodesh.....11 Torah, maftir, for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh...... 12 Haftorah for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh:...... 12 Welcoming the Shechinah...... 13 The Psalm for Rosh Chodesh...... 14 A Sin-Offering for HaShem?...... 16 During The Millennium...... 17 Customs...... 18 Observations...... 18 Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat...... 19 In the future...... 20 Beginnings...... 20 New Moon Calculations...... 21 Rosh HaShanah and for Rosh Chodesh. Rav In this study I would like to examine Rosh Tzadok explains that both korbanot come to atone 2 Chodesh, the New Moon, as a mitzva and as a for the same sin, the sin of Adam HaRishon. celebration. Rosh Chodesh has a special Maftir and a special The first Rosh Chodesh was Adam’s birthday. ashlamata (Haftorah) festival readings which are That first Rosh Chodesh was also Rosh read, in addition to the normal Torah portion and HaShanah.1 Man’s relationship with Rosh ashlamata, on Shabbat. These readings interrupt Chodesh, therefore, has special meaning as both the the Annual and the Triennial / Septennial Adam’s birthday and the birthday of the world. Torah cycles. That first Rosh Chodesh was also the day when Adam and Chava sinned and crashed the world. Introduction That fateful Rosh Chodesh was also the day that Adam repented and was forgiven. Rosh Chodesh literally means, "beginning renewal" and idiomatically means the "beginning We know that Rosh HaShanah is a day of of the month" or "new moon". Strong’s renders atonement for the sin of Adam, for it is the day the following definition: which Adam sinned and was forgiven. Just as Rosh HaShanah is the first day of the solar cycle, 7218 ro'sh, roshe; from an unused root so too Rosh Chodesh is the first day of the lunar appar. mean. to shake; the head (as most cycle. On Rosh Hashana we do not bring the easily shaken), whether lit. or fig. (in many sacrifice of Rosh Chodesh. The Gemara, in applications, of place, time, rank, etc.):- Eruvin, explains that one korban is sufficient for band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief (-

1 Sanhedrin 38b 2 Pri Tzadik Bereshit, Rosh Chodesh Kislev 1 est place, man, things), company, end, X The difference between Israel and the nations of every [man], excellent, first, forefront, the world is that we use a lunar calendar and they ([be-]) head, height, (on) high (-est part, use a solar calendar. "The sun and the moon can [priest]), X lead, X poor, principal, ruler, be said to represent these two opposing sum, top. viewpoints. The sun is constant and unchanging. Its fixed path symbolizes the nations' belief that 2320 chodesh, kho'-desh; from 2318; the the world has always existed and that nothing new moon; by impl. a month:-month (- ly), new is ever introduced by a higher guiding Hand. new moon. The moon, on the other hand, is constantly changing. This symbolizes the faith of Israel, who ------Dictionary Trace ------see the whole of nature as something new and 2318 chadash, khaw-dash'; a prim. root; to innovative, that is under constant supervision and be new; caus. to rebuild:-renew, repair. that therefore has the potential for change." It was later given to the women since they had not ever The calculations for Rosh Chodesh were the abandoned this faith in HaShem's guidance by fulfillment of prophecy and they represented making the Golden Calf. "Rosh Chodesh is the great wisdom: day that emphasizes our separation from the nations. Jews believe in the world's creation from Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:5-6 See, I have nothing and in all the consequences of that belief. taught you decrees and laws as HaShem my Our lives are therefore always being renewed in God commanded me, so that you may HaShem's service and are constantly filled with follow them in the land you are entering to vitality." This perspective is brought out vividly take possession of it. Observe them in the Talmud: carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will Succah 29a It was taught: R. Meir said, hear about all these decrees and say, Whenever the luminaries are in eclipse, it "Surely this great nation is a wise and is a bad omen for Israel since they are understanding people." inured to blows. This may be compared to a school teacher who comes to school with a "You shall guard and you shall do..." Rabbi strap in his hand. Who becomes Shmuel bar Nahman said in the name of Rebbe apprehensive? He who is accustomed to be Yonatan, from where do we know that it is a daily punished. Our Rabbis taught, When mitzva for each man to calculate the seasons and the sun is in eclipse it is a bad omen for the months? It is written, "You shall guard and idolaters; when Lavanah (Moon) is in you shall do, for it is evidence, in the eyes of the eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel, since nations, of the wisdom and understanding that has Israel reckons by Lavanah (Moon) and been given to you." idolaters by the sun. If it is in eclipse in the east, it is a bad omen for those who dwell What is the wisdom and understanding that Israel in the east; if in the west, it is a bad omen possesses "in the eyes of the nations"? We must for those who dwell in the west; if in the say that it refers to the calculation of the seasons midst of heaven it is bad omen for the and months. Concerning one who knows how to whole world. If its face is red as blood, [it calculate and does not do so, the verse says: is a sign that] the sword is coming to the world; if it is like sack-cloth, the arrows of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:12 They did not famine are coming to the world; if it contemplate HaShem's deeds, and they resembles both, the sword and the arrows have not paid attention to the work of His of famine are coming to the world. If the hands. eclipse is at sunset calamity will tarry in its coming; if at dawn, it hastens on its way: but some say the order is to be reversed. 2 And there is no nation which is smitten that will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the its gods are not smitten together with it, as arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows it is said, And against all the gods of Egypt are on this side of you; bring them here,' I will execute judgments. But when Israel then come, because, as surely as HaShem fulfill the will of the Omnipresent, they lives, you are safe; there is no danger. But need have no fear of all these [omens] as it if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are is said, Thus saith HaShem,' Learn not the beyond you,' then you must go, because way of the nations, and be not dismayed at HaShem has sent you away. And about the the signs of heaven, for the nations are matter you and I discussed--remember, dismayed at them, the idolaters will be HaShem is witness between you and me dismayed, but Israel will not be dismayed. forever." So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon festival came, the king Is Rosh Chodesh a festival? sat down to eat. He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and The Torah seems to place Rosh Chodesh on a par Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place with the other festivals. In Numbers chapter 28, was empty. Saul said nothing that day, for the musaf (additional) services for Rosh Chodesh he thought, "Something must have are listed along with the other festivals. The happened to David to make him order, in Numbers 28 and 29, is: ceremonially unclean--surely he is unclean." But the next day, the second day morning (Shacharit) of the month, David's place was empty afternoon (Mincha) again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, Shabbat "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the Rosh Chodesh meal, either yesterday or today?" Jonathan Pesach answered, "David earnestly asked me for Hag ha-Matzah the first day permission to go to Bethlehem. He said, Hag ha-Matzah the seventh day 'Let me go, because our family is observing Hag ha-Bikkurim - Shavuot a sacrifice in the town and my brother has Yom Teruah ordered me to be there. If I have found Yom HaKippurim favor in your eyes, let me get away to see Succoth my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table." The Rosh Chodesh sacrifices are identical in number and in kind with those of Pesach and After the Beit Din had sanctified the new moon Shavuot. In post Temple times, a musaf service and uttered a blessing to HaShem, special was established for Rosh Chodesh along with the additional (Mussaf) offerings were presented to other festivals. Rosh Chodesh was marked by HaShem. many festive elements. There was a celebratory meal, and family gatherings were a natural for The traditional service includes a candle lit to such occasions: burn for twenty-four hours. Some use a floating light because it resembles the moon floating in I Shmuel (Samuel) 20:18-29 Then the sky. As on the Sabbath or festivals, two Jonathan said to David: "Tomorrow is the challot (special egg bread) are served; they are New Moon festival. You will be missed, round or crescent shaped, preferably, thus because your seat will be empty. The day invoking the shape of the moon. A new fruit will after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the be sought for the menu for the sake of making a place where you hid when this trouble Shehecheyanu. The egg soup, traditionally served began, and wait by the stone Ezel. I will at the seder, is often included as a symbol of life shoot three arrows to the side of it, as immersed in liquid. A quiche of circular shape, or though I were shooting at a target. Then I a nut loaf, are popular choices for the menu. 3 During the meal, zemirot such as verses from the The Torah does not list Rosh Chodesh with Hallel or special Rosh Chodesh songs are sung. HaShem’s festivals in Leviticus chapter 23, never the less it is a festival as we shall see. Lets note Over the course of later history, by association, that Rosh Chodesh is specifically called a day of the day was considered especially appropriate for rejoicing in this passage from the Torah and is put housewarmings, dedications, wearing new on a par with Shabbat and the other festivals: clothes, and saying Shehecheyanu over new fruit. It was also called the day of good beginnings Bamidbar (Numbers) 10:1-10 HaShem (Remember that all things go after the beginning said to Moses: "Make two trumpets of as it is the most potent moment – we shall look at hammered silver, and use them for calling this concept a bit later.). the community together and for having the camps set out. When both are sounded, the The joyous spirit of the day, in biblical times, is whole community is to assemble before you suggested by two references: at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders--the heads Bamidbar (Numbers)10:10 Also at your of the clans of Israel--are to assemble times of rejoicing--your appointed feasts before you. When a trumpet blast is and New Moon festivals--you are to sound sounded, the tribes camping on the east are the trumpets over your burnt offerings and to set out. At the sounding of a second fellowship offerings, and they will be a blast, the camps on the south are to set out. memorial for you before your God. I am The blast will be the signal for setting out. HaShem your God." To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the same signal. "The sons of Hosea 2:11 I will stop all her celebrations: Aaron, the priests, are to blow the her yearly festivals, her New Moons, her trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance Sabbath days--all her appointed feasts. for you and the generations to come. When you go into battle in your own land against HaShem does not specifically call Rosh Chodesh an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a a rest day, but it is alluded to in: blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by HaShem your God and Amos 8:4-7 Hear this, you who trample the rescued from your enemies. Also at your needy and do away with the poor of the times of rejoicing--your appointed feasts land Saying, "When will the New Moon be and New Moon festivals--you are to sound over that we may sell grain, and the the trumpets over your burnt offerings and Sabbath be ended that we may market fellowship offerings, and they will be a wheat?"--skimping the measure, boosting memorial for you before your God. I am the price and cheating with dishonest HaShem your God." scales, Buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the In the Nazarean Codicil, Rosh Chodesh is put on sweepings with the wheat. HaShem has a par with Shabbat and the other festivals: sworn by the Pride of Jacob: "I will never forget anything they have done. Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore condemn you in meat, or in drink, or in Rosh Chodesh was celebrated only eleven times a respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, year. In Tishri, Yom Teruah coincides with Rosh or of the sabbath: 17 Which are a shadow Chodesh; to this day, the new moon of Tishri is of things to come; but the body of not proclaimed in advance, in the synagogue; Mashiach. Yom Teruah rather than Rosh Chodesh is dominant liturgically. There are several other things which connect the festivals with Rosh Chodesh: 4 12. We light candles for festivals; some 1. We rest on festivals; women rest on Rosh Sephardim light a candle on Rosh Chodesh3. Some have a minhag to reduce Chodesh. work on Rosh Chodesh. 13. Sustenance for festivals is not fixed on 2. We have a Musaf for festivals; we have a Rosh HaShana; sustenance for Rosh Musaf for Rosh Chodesh. Chodesh is not fixed on Rosh HaShana9. 3. We have special additions (yaale v’yavo) to the Amida for festivals; we have special As to the minhag to recite Half Hallel on Rosh additions (yaale v’yavo) to the Amida for Chodesh, Rabbi J. B. Soloveitchik in his Yahrzeit Rosh Chodesh. Sheur on 4 Tevet, 5717, explained the statement 4. We have special sacrifices on the in Arachin 10b, Rosh Chodesh, which is called festivals; we have special sacrifices on moed, should require the recitation of Hallel. Rosh Chodesh4 (Two oxen, a ram, seven There is no prohibition to work on this day" as lambs and their respective libations of follows: A festival such as Passover possesses wine, flour, and oil Numbers 28:11-15). sanctity because of: 5. We have special Torah and Ashlamata a) Musaf the additional-sacrifice offered in the (from Parshat Pinchas) for festivals; we Temple; have a special Torah and Ashlamata for b) Prohibition of work; Rosh Chodesh (from Parshat Pinchas). c) Obligation to make the pilgrimage to These special readings interrupt the Jerusalem; triennial Torah cycle. d) Special mitzvot such as matza. 6. We have additional aliyot on festivals; we All festivals have one or more of these qualities. have an additional aliya on Rosh Chodesh. Rosh Chodesh, however, is distinguished only by 7. We say Hallel on Festivals; we say half musaf and is thus a festival in the Temple only, Hallel on Rosh Chodesh5. where Hallel was recited as din (law) not minhag. 8. Fasting (mourning) is forbidden on the The minhag to recite Hallel on Rosh Chodesh festivals; fasting (mourning) is forbidden consists in extending the sanctity from the on Rosh Chodesh6. Temple to Jewish communities outside its 9. We eat special meals in honor of the precincts. festivals; we eat a special meal or food in honor of Rosh Chodesh7. The day before Rosh Chodesh is also known as 10. We wear special clothes for festivals; we Yom HaKippurim Katan. This means that the day wear special clothes for Rosh Chodesh. before Rosh Chodesh is a minor Yom 11. Festivals are called Moedim; Rosh HaKippurim. The devout will fast on the last day Chodesh is called moed8. of the month and reflect upon his actions on the first day of the month.

3 Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 417). The Talmud10 quotes an amazing comment of 4 Chullin 60b Rabbi Simeon ben Lakish that the he-goat offered 5 There are two basic reasons for reciting Hallel. First, we on Rosh Chodesh is called "a sin offering unto the recite Hallel on festival days in order to praise HaShem as Lord" because it is an atonement for HaShem we celebrate His festival (see RAMBAN, Shoresh 1, who Himself for having made the moon smaller than understands that reciting Hallel is part of the mitzva of the sun. Arising out of this is the idea, expressed Simchat Yom Tov). Second, we recite Hallel in order to commemorate a miraculous salvation from danger. in the Rosh Chodesh liturgy, that Rosh Chodesh affords pardon for Israel's sins. Additionally, 6 Shulchan Aruch 418:1 7 during the Musaf prayer service of Rosh Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 419:1-2, Mishna Chodesh, we call Rosh Chodesh a "time of Berurah, Orach Chayim 418:2, Ben Ish Chai, Vayikra 10, 1 Samuel 20:24 9 8 Bamidbar 10:10, Pesachim 77a and Shavuot 10a, Taanit The Tur in Hilchot Rosh Chodesh 29a, Leviticus 23:4 and Rashi ad loc. 10 Chullin 60b 5 atonement". Thus in atonement, we see another This is the very first commandment given to the connection between the festivals and Rosh nation as a whole, an indication that the concept Chodesh. of Rosh Chodesh, or the New Moon, is very meaningful. Moreover, a thousand years later in Shabbat Mevarchin eretz Israel, during the period of Syrian-Greek persecution that culminated in the miracle of The Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is known as Chanukah, Rosh Chodesh was one of only three Shabbat Mevarchin, which means "the Sabbath of commandments whose observance the oppressors blessing." We have an additional ashlamata (1 prohibited. The other two forbidden Shmuel 20:18-42) to prepare us for this special commandments were the Sabbath and day. After the Torah reading in the Shabbat circumcision; that Rosh Chodesh was on a plane service, the prayer leader holds the Torah scroll, with those central observances is sufficient recites a blessing hoping for a good month, then indication of its great significance. announces the day of the upcoming week when the new month will begin and the name of the This can be understood on two levels. Only the new month. court can proclaim Rosh Chodesh based on the testimony of witnesses who observed the re- Shabbat Mevarchin is not observed during the appearance of the moon, and upon this month of Elul to announce the beginning of the proclamation, the Jewish calendar is based. month of Tishri, the month in which Rosh Unless the new months can be proclaimed, there HaShana (the Jewish New Year) occurs. is no calendar, and without a calendar, there can be no festivals. Thus, if the Syrian-Greeks had Thus we announce Rosh Chodesh ahead of time, succeeded in eradicating the observance of Rosh but we do not announce for festivals. This would Chodesh, they would have succeeded in seem to give special significance to Rosh eliminating large numbers of other mitzvot, as Chodesh. well.

Finally, when the Sanhedrin sanctified the new Thus we see that the first command, given to the moon it set the calendar date for the festivals of congregation of Israel, was to: that month. The date of the festivals, therefore, depended on the new moon for their proper 1. Set up a calendar, based on the moon, celebration. Rosh HaShana, which falls on Rosh 2. With Nisan as the first month. Chodesh, is a festival which no one no the day or hour it begins because it’s beginning depends on Notice that this first command is given to Moses the sanctification of the new moon. We have a and Aaron as representing the highest authority in midrash that makes this point: The angels ask the nation. From this, it is derived that the HaShem, "When is Rosh HaShana?" "I do not authority for sanctifying the new moon and for know," HaShem responds. "Let us all go down to establishing the order of the months lies with the the bet din and see what they have decreed." highest authority in the nation, namely the Sanhedrin, as the Talmud relates: The First Mitzva Rosh HaShana 22a MISHNA. IF A The first mitzva given to the congregation of FATHER AND A SON HAVE SEEN THE Israel is: NEW MOON, THEY SHOULD BOTH GO [TO JERUSALEM], NOT THAT THEY Shemot (Exodus) 12:1-2 HaShem said to CAN ACT AS JOINT WITNESSES11 BUT Moses and Aaron in Egypt, "This month is SO THAT IF ONE OF THEM IS to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.” 11 Near relatives being disqualified from offering evidence together. 6 DISQUALIFIED12 THE OTHER MAY JOIN a great funeral oration over her, not WITH SOME OTHER WITNESS. R. because she had merited it, but so that the SIMEON, HOWEVER, SAYS THAT A public should know that the Beth din had FATHER AND SON AND ALL RELATIVES not sanctified the month.17 ARE ELIGIBLE TO TESTIFY TO THE APPEARANCE OF THE NEW MOON. R. 'HaShem said to Moses and to Aaron: "... this JOSE SAID: IT HAPPENED ONCE WITH month shall be for you the beginning of TOBIAH THE PHYSICIAN THAT HE SAW months ..." And at the moment when Moses our THE NEW MOON IN JERUSALEM teacher received this command, the Holy One, ALONG WITH HIS SON AND HIS blessed be He, transmitted to him the precise EMANCIPATED SLAVE, AND THE rules for intercalating the New Moon. Thus He PRIESTS ACCEPTED HIS EVIDENCE made known to Moses the method for AND THAT OF HIS SON AND establishing the times and the seasons.'18 DISQUALIFIED HIS SLAVE, BUT WHEN THEY APPEARED BEFORE THE BETH Moses and Aaron were told by HaShem, in the DIN THEY ACCEPTED HIS EVIDENCE oral law19, that normally there should be two AND THAT OF HIS SLAVE AND witnesses who actually see the new moon, in DISQUALIFIED HIS SON. order to sanctify it on the thirtieth day. If no witnesses come on the thirtieth day, it is GEMARA. R. Levi said: What is the reason automatically sanctified on the thirty-first day. of R. Simeon? — Because it is written, and the Lord spoke unto Moses and Aaron in Sanhedrin 10b THE INTERCALATION20 the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall OF THE MONTH BY THREE. [The Tanna be unto you the beginning of months,13 of the Mishna] mentions neither the which implies, ‘this testimony shall be valid ‘calculation’21 nor the ‘sanctification’22 , [when given] by you’.14 And the Rabbis? — but the INTERCALATION of the month. [It implies], this evidence shall be entrusted [Why then the need of three for this?] to you.15 Suppose it is not sanctified [on the thirtieth

This authority is reiterated in: 16 Lit., ‘parts’ (sc. of one hour), 73/1080 X 60 m == 4 m 3 1/3 sec. The new moon, therefore, could not be seen on the Rosh HaShana 25a Our Rabbis taught: twenty-ninth day. Once the heavens were covered with clouds 17 As a funeral oration would not be delivered on New and the likeness of the moon was seen on Moon, which was regarded as a holy day. the twenty-ninth of the month. The public 18 Midrash Sod Halbbur. On the Mystery of the New were minded to declare New Moon, and the Moon. Beth din wanted to sanctify it, but Rabban 19 Rosh HaShana 1 and 2. Gamaliel said to them: I have it on the 20 The commencement of the month was dated from the authority of the house of my father's father time when the earliest visible appearance of the new moon that the renewal of the moon takes place was reported to the Sanhedrin. If this happened on the 30th day of the current month, that month was considered to after not less than twenty-nine days and a have ended on the preceding 29th day, and was called half and two-thirds of an hour and seventy- deficient. But if no announcement was made on the 30th three halakin.16 On that day the mother of day, that day was reckoned to the current month, which was Ben Zaza died, and Rabban Gamaliel made then called full, and the ensuing day was considered the first of the next month. 21 12 I.e., found by the Beth din to be unreliable. The ‘calculation’ as to which and how many months 13 were to be intercalated. It was an established rule that no Ex. XII, 1, 2. year should consist of less than four nor more than eight 14 Even if you are near relatives. full months. 15 The communal leaders, to sanctify the month on the 22 The proclamation by formal ‘sanctification’ of the new strength of it. Nothing, however, is implied about relatives. moon on the thirtieth day. 7 day] it will then be automatically the treasuries of the temple of God and for intercalated! — Abaye therefore said: Read the treasuries for the dedicated things. He then, THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE gave him instructions for the divisions of MONTH. It is also taught to the same the priests and Levites, and for all the work effect: The sanctification of the month and of serving in the temple of HaShem, as well the intercalation of the year is to be as for all the articles to be used in its determined by three. So R. Meir holds. But, service. He designated the weight of gold asked Raba, does not the Mishna say, the for all the gold articles to be used in INTERCALATION? — Hence, said Raba, various kinds of service, and the weight of the Mishnah means that the sanctification silver for all the silver articles to be used in made on INTERCALATION, that is on the various kinds of service: The weight of gold intercalary day,23 is determined by three; for the gold lamp stands and their lamps, but on the day after it there is to be no with the weight for each lamp stand and its sanctification. And this represents the lamps; and the weight of silver for each opinion of R. Eliezer b. Zadok, as it has silver lamp stand and its lamps, according been taught: R. Eliezer b. Zadok says: If to the use of each lamp stand; The weight the new moon has not been visible in time, of gold for each table for consecrated there is no need for the Sanctification next bread; the weight of silver for the silver day, as it has already been sanctified in tables; The weight of pure gold for the Heaven.24 forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the Many assume that the witnesses were necessary weight of silver for each silver dish; And because the Sanhedrin lacked the ability to the weight of the refined gold for the altar calculate the time of the new moon. This is not of incense. He also gave him the plan for born out by the facts. Consider: Why would the the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold witnesses look on the thirtieth day, except they that spread their wings and shelter the ark knew that that was the first time it might be of the covenant of HaShem. "All this," visible. Also we should note that the last David said, "I have in writing from the Sanhedrin calculated the new moons so hand of HaShem upon me, and he gave me accurately that they were able to sanctify every understanding in all the details of the new moon for nearly two thousand years! plan.”

Synagogue Service: Since the synagogue service is modeled after the Temple service, it would be instructive to see The Temple services were given to King David in what is done in the synagogue today. We’ll start a dream and written down for his son, Solomon, by examining the readings from the Tanakh25: as we can see from this next passage: The Torah for weekday Rosh Chodesh Divrei Hayamim (I Chronicles) 28:11-19 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:1-15 HaShem for the portico of the temple, its buildings, said to Moses, "Give this command to the its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner Israelites and say to them: 'See that you rooms and the place of atonement. He gave present to me at the appointed time the him the plans of all that the Spirit had put food for my offerings made by fire, as an in his mind for the courts of the temple of aroma pleasing to me.' Say to them: 'This is HaShem and all the surrounding rooms, for the offering made by fire that you are to 25 23 An Acronym for: “Torah a Neviim a Ketuvim” which The thirtieth day. literally means the “Law the Prophets and the Writings”, 24 I.e., it is patent to all that the next day is the new moon, which are the names used by Yeshua in the Nazarean as no month exceeds 30 days. Codicil for the Old Testament. 8 present to HaShem: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering Kiddush Lavanah Synagogue Service each day. Prepare one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, Together with a Psalm 148:1-6 Halleluyah! Praise HaShem grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine from the heavens; praise Him in the flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil heights. Praise Him, all bright stars, Praise from pressed olives. This is the regular Him, the most exalted of the heavens and burnt offering instituted at Mount Sinai as the waters that are above the heavens. Let a pleasing aroma, an offering made to them praise the Name of HaShem, for He HaShem by fire. The accompanying drink commanded and they were created. And He offering is to be a quarter of a hin of established them forever and ever, He fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out issued a decree that will not change. the drink offering to HaShem at the sanctuary. Prepare the second lamb at One should look at the moon before reciting this twilight, along with the same kind of grain blessing: offering and drink offering that you prepare in the morning. This is an offering Blessed are You, HaShem our God, King of the made by fire, an aroma pleasing to universe whose word created the heavens, whose HaShem. "'On the Sabbath day, make an breath created all that they contain. Statutes and offering of two lambs a year old without seasons He set for them, that they should not defect, together with its drink offering and deviate from their assigned task. Happily, gladly a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah they do the will of their Creator, whose work is of fine flour mixed with oil. This is the dependable. To the moon He spoke: renew burnt offering for every Sabbath, in yourself, crown of glory for those who were addition to the regular burnt offering and borne in the womb, who also are destined to be its drink offering. "'On the first of every renewed and to extol their Creator for His month, present to HaShem a burnt offering glorious sovereignty. Blessed are You, HaShem of two young bulls, one ram and seven male who renews the months. lambs a year old, all without defect. With each bull there is to be a grain offering of Recite three times: three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; with the ram, a grain offering of Blessed is your Molder; blessed is your Maker; two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed blessed is your Owner; blessed is your Creator. with oil; And with each lamb, a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour Recite three times: mixed with oil. This is for a burnt offering, Upon reciting the next verse, rise on the toes as if a pleasing aroma, an offering made to in dance HaShem by fire. With each bull there is to be a drink offering of half a hin of wine; Just as I dance towards you but cannot touch you, with the ram, a third of a hin; and with so may none of my enemies be able to touch me each lamb, a quarter of a hin. This is the for evil. monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon during the year. Besides the Recite three times: regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented Let fall upon them fear and terror; at the greatness to HaShem as a sin offering. of Your arm, let them be still as stone.

Recite three times:

9 As stone let them be still, at Your arm’s Him with resonant trumpets. Let all souls greatness; terror and fear, upon them let fall. praise God, Halleluyah!

Recite three times: The academy of Rabbi Yishmael taught: Had Israel not been privileged to greet the David, King of Israel, is alive and enduring. countenance of their Father in Heaven except for once a month, it would have sufficed them. Extend greetings to three different people: Abaye said: Therefore one must recite it while standing. Shalom Alechem (peace be with you!) Who is this who rises from the desert clinging to Alechem shalom (Upon you, peace!) her Beloved!

Recite three times: May it be Your will, HaShem, my God and the God of my forefathers, to fill the flaw of the May there be a good sign and a good fortune for moon that there be no diminution in it. May the us and for all Israel. Amen. light of the moon be like the light of the sun and like the light of the seven days of creation, as it Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) 2:8-9 - was before it was diminished, as it is said: ‘The The voice of my beloved - Behold! It came two great luminaries.’ And may there be fulfilled suddenly, leaping over mountains, skipping upon us the verse that is written: They shall seek over hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a HaShem, their God, and David, their king. Amen young hart. Behold! He was standing behind our wall, observing through the Tehillim (Psalm) 67 - For the Conductor, windows, peering through the lattices. upon Neginos, a psalm, a song. May God favor us and bless us, may He illuminate Tehillim (Psalm) 121 - A song to the His countenance with us, Selah. To make ascents. I raise my eyes to the mountains; known Your way on earth, among all the whence will come my help? My help is from nations Your salvation. The peoples will HaShem, Maker of heaven and earth. He acknowledge You, O God, the peoples will will not allow your foot to falter; your acknowledge You, all of them. Nations will Guardian will not slumber. Behold, He be glad and sing for joy, because You will neither slumbers nor sleeps - the Guardian judge the peoples fairly and guide the of Israel. HaShem is your Guardian; nations on earth, Selah. Then peoples will HaShem is your Shade at your right hand. acknowledge You, all of them. The earth By day the sun will not harm you, nor the has yielded its produce, may God, our own moon by night. HaShem will protect you God, bless us. May God bless us and may from every evil; He will guard your soul. all the ends of the earth fear Him. HaShem will guard your departure and your arrival, from this time and forever. (Aleinu and V’Anachnu)

Tehillim (Psalm) 150 - Halleluyah! Praise It is incumbent upon us to praise the Master of God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the all, to exalt the creator of the world, for He has firmament of His power. Praise Him for made us distinct from the nations and unique His mighty acts; praise His as befits His among the families of the earth. Our destiny is abundant greatness. Praise Him with the not like theirs, our calling is our task. blast of the shofar; praise Him with lyre and harp. Praise Him with drum and We therefore bow in awe and thanksgiving before dance; praise Him with organ and flute. the One who is sovereign over all, the Holy One, Praise Him with clanging cymbals; praise blessed be He. For He stretched forth the heavens 10 like a tent and established the earth. Truly there is forever." So David hid in the field, and none like our Lord and King. As the Torah says, when the New Moon festival came, the king "You shall know this day and reflect in your heart sat down to eat. He sat in his customary that it is the Lord who is God in the heavens place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and above and on the earth beneath, there is none Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place else." was empty. Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, "Something must have We hope, HaShem our God, to soon behold Your happened to David to make him majestic glory when all abominations shall be ceremonially unclean--surely he is removed and all false gods shall be at an end. unclean." But the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was empty Then shall the world be perfected under the rule again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, of the Lord Almighty and all mankind shall call "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the upon Your name. For to You every knee must meal, either yesterday or today?" Jonathan bow and every tongue declare that You are God. answered, "David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem. He said, Reign over us soon and forever. May the 'Let me go, because our family is observing kingdom of David's greater son be established a sacrifice in the town and my brother has forever. ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see For then shall the words be fulfilled, "HaShem my brothers.' That is why he has not come shall be king forever", and, "HaShem shall be to the king's table." Saul's anger flared up king over all the earth; on that day HaShem shall at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of be one, and his name one." – Tehillim (Psalm) a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I 104:1-2, Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:39, Tehillim know that you have sided with the son of (Psalm) 10:16, Zechariah 14:9 Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the End of synagogue service. son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now Haftorah for Shabbat Erev Rosh Chodesh send and bring him to me, for he must die!" "Why should he be put to death? What has I Shmuel (Samuel) 20:18-42 Then he done?" Jonathan asked his father. But Jonathan said to David: "Tomorrow is the Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. New Moon festival. You will be missed, Then Jonathan knew that his father because your seat will be empty. The day intended to kill David. Jonathan got up after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the from the table in fierce anger; on that place where you hid when this trouble second day of the month he did not eat, began, and wait by the stone Ezel. I will because he was grieved at his father's shoot three arrows to the side of it, as shameful treatment of David. In the though I were shooting at a target. Then I morning Jonathan went out to the field for will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the his meeting with David. He had a small boy arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows with him, And he said to the boy, "Run and are on this side of you; bring them here,' find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he then come, because, as surely as HaShem shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy lives, you are safe; there is no danger. But came to the place where Jonathan's arrow if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, beyond you,' then you must go, because "Isn't the arrow beyond you?" Then he HaShem has sent you away. And about the shouted, "Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!" matter you and I discussed--remember, The boy picked up the arrow and returned HaShem is witness between you and me to his master. (The boy knew nothing of all 11 this; only Jonathan and David knew.) Then unless you have been informed that New Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and Moon has been fixed at its proper time’.28 said, "Go, carry them back to town." After the boy had gone, David got up from the Torah, maftir, for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh south side [of the stone] and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:9-15 "'On the to the ground. Then they kissed each other Sabbath day, make an offering of two and wept together--but David wept the lambs a year old without defect, together most. Jonathan said to David, "Go in with its drink offering and a grain offering peace, for we have sworn friendship with of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour each other in the name of HaShem, saying, mixed with oil. This is the burnt offering for 'HaShem is witness between you and me, every Sabbath, in addition to the regular and between your descendants and my burnt offering and its drink offering. "'On descendants forever.'" Then David left, and the first of every month, present to HaShem Jonathan went back to the town. a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all It is apparent from the above passage that, even in without defect. With each bull there is to be the days of Samuel and Saul, already Israel was a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah celebrating Rosh Chodesh, the New Moon, for of fine flour mixed with oil; with the ram, a two days. We celebrate for two days when the grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of preceding month is twenty-nine days. fine flour mixed with oil; And with each lamb, a grain offering of a tenth of an Rosh HaShana 19b R. Joshua b. Levi ephah of fine flour mixed with oil. This is testified on behalf of the holy community of for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an Jerusalem concerning the two Adars, that offering made to HaShem by fire. With they are sanctified on the day of their each bull there is to be a drink offering of prolongation.26 This is equivalent to saying half a hin of wine; with the ram, a third of that we make them defective but we do not a hin; and with each lamb, a quarter of a make them full, and excludes the statement hin. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made in a discourse by R. Nahman b. made at each new moon during the year. Hisda; [for R. Nahman b. Hisda stated in a Besides the regular burnt offering with its discourse]: ‘R. Simai testified in the name drink offering, one male goat is to be of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi presented to HaShem as a sin offering. concerning the two Adars that if they [the Beth din] desired they could make both of Haftorah for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: them full, and if they desired they could make both of them, defective, and if they Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:1-24 This is what desired they could make one full and the HaShem says: "Heaven is my throne, and other defective; and such was their custom the earth is my footstool. Where is the in the Diaspora. In the name of our house you will build for me? Where will my teacher,27 however, they said: One is resting place be? Has not my hand made always to be full and the next defective, all these things, and so they came into being?" declares HaShem. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in 26 The thirtieth day is known as the day of prolongation ( spirit, and trembles at my word. But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who ruchg ouh ) as it is the day which is added to make the preceding month full (v. supra p. 21, n. 7). In the case of the 28 I.e., that the Beth din is Jerusalem fixed the New Moon two Adars the thirtieth day of each is sanctified as the New of Adar II on the thirtieth day of the first Adar, the thirtieth Moon of the next month. day always being regarded as the ‘proper time’ of New 27 Rab. Moon. 12 kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like like a whirlwind; he will bring down his one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames makes a grain offering is like one who of fire. For with fire and with his sword presents pig's blood, and whoever burns HaShem will execute judgment upon all memorial incense, like one who worships men, and many will be those slain by an idol. They have chosen their own ways, HaShem. "Those who consecrate and purify and their souls delight in their themselves to go into the gardens, abominations; So I also will choose harsh following the one in the midst of those who treatment for them and will bring upon eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other them what they dread. For when I called, abominable things--they will meet their end no one answered, when I spoke, no one together," declares HaShem. "And I, listened. They did evil in my sight and because of their actions and their chose what displeases me." Hear the word imaginations, am about to come and gather of HaShem, you who tremble at his word: all nations and tongues, and they will come "Your brothers who hate you, and exclude and see my glory. "I will set a sign among you because of my name, have said, 'Let them, and I will send some of those who HaShem be glorified, that we may see your survive to the nations--to Tarshish, to the joy!' Yet they will be put to shame. Hear Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), that uproar from the city, hear that noise to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant from the temple! It is the sound of HaShem islands that have not heard of my fame or repaying his enemies all they deserve. seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory "Before she goes into labor, she gives among the nations. And they will bring all birth; before the pains come upon her, she your brothers, from all the nations, to my delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering a thing? Who has ever seen such things? to HaShem--on horses, in chariots and Can a country be born in a day or a nation wagons, and on mules and camels," says be brought forth in a moment? Yet no HaShem. "They will bring them, as the sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the to her children. Do I bring to the moment temple of HaShem in ceremonially clean of birth and not give delivery?" says vessels. And I will select some of them also HaShem. "Do I close up the womb when I to be priests and Levites," says HaShem. bring to delivery?" says your God. "Rejoice "As the new heavens and the new earth that with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you I make will endure before me," declares who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all HaShem, "so will your name and you who mourn over her. For you will descendants endure. From one New Moon nurse and be satisfied at her comforting to another and from one Sabbath to breasts; you will drink deeply and delight another, all mankind will come and bow in her overflowing abundance." For this is down before me," says HaShem. "And they what HaShem says: "I will extend peace to will go out and look upon the dead bodies her like a river, and the wealth of nations of those who rebelled against me; their like a flooding stream; you will nurse and worm will not die, nor will their fire be be carried on her arm and dandled on her quenched, and they will be loathsome to all knees. As a mother comforts her child, so mankind." will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." When you see Welcoming the Shechinah29 this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of HaShem will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes. See, HaShem 29 This section is an excerpt from “The Book of Our is coming with fire, and his chariots are Heritage” , by Eliyahu Kitov. 13 Since Kiddush Lavanah is considered to be an act Lavanah with a minyan, in fulfillment of the of greeting the Shechinah, its blessing is verse: distinguished from other blessings in the requirement that it be recited while standing, at a Mishlei (Proverbs) 14:28 The King’s glory time of joy, while dressed in fine clothing, and in is in the multitudes. public, as if one were going out to greet a King. When reciting Kiddush Lavanah, one should not The blessing for the new moon is generally stand under a roof; nor should it be said while one recited on motzie Shabbat, before the tenth day of is looking through a window or an open door. the month, or on the first day that the new moon Rather one should go outside, as one would do is visible, in fulfillment of the principle that the were he greeting a king. However, if one finds it diligent fulfill mitzvot at the first possible difficult to leave his home, the blessing may be opportunity. During the winter, it is not advisable recited inside, provided that the door or window to wait for motzie Shabbat for fear of clouds. through which he can see the moon is open and that there is nothing intervening between his eyes In the month of Sivan, Kiddush Lavanah is and the moon. If the glass of the window is clean recited on motzie Shabbat so as to combine the and he can see through it clearly, one may recite blessing with the joy of the festival. the blessing without opening the window if he cannot open it because of the cold, etc. Even if one recites the blessing during the week, rather than on motzie Shabbat, it is appropriate Kiddush Lavanah is not recited before three full that he wear fine clothing in honor of this mitzva days and nights have passed from the time of the and that he purify his spirit and his heart before molad, the appearance of the new moon. Some the act of welcoming the Shechinah. authorities say, until seven full days and nights have passed. It may be recited until one half of During the month of Av, because of the spirit of the moon has passed; i.e., until the point that is mourning that prevails, Kiddush Lavanah is not halfway between the molad of that month and the said before the ninth of the month. The custom is molad of the coming month, since up to then the to recite it after the end of the fast on the ninth of moon is in the process of renewal and achieving Av, but to eat something first. Similarly, because fullness. After half of the month has passed, the of our preoccupation with the anguish of our sins moon begins to diminish and Kiddush Lavanah before they are forgiven, during Tishri, Kiddush may not be said. Lavanah is not recited before Yom HaKippurim. Rather, we wait until the end of the fast and recite Although Kiddush Lavanah is not recited on Kiddush Lavanah when we leave the synagogue Shabbat, i.e. Friday night, or on festival nights, if and prior to eating. Among Sephardic it will be impossible to recite it on the next night, communities, the custom is to recite Kiddush e.g. if Shabbat or the festival is the last night of Lavanah before Yom HaKippurim so that one the month on which one can recite it, it may be may have an additional source of merit prior to said. his judgment. Women do not recite Kiddush Lavanah. In accord with the view of the Vilna Gaon, it is customary in many Jerusalem synagogues not to When reciting the blessing, one should first look wait for after Tisha B’Av or after Yom up at the moon so as to see it at the time of the HaKippurim before reciting Kiddush Lavanah but blessing, but should not look at it while reciting to abide by the principle that the diligent fulfill the entire service, for we pray not to the moon but mitzvot at the earliest opportunity. to the He Who created it. When reciting the blessing, one should stand in a manner befitting Those who are especially careful in fulfilling the the service. mitzvot make every effort to recite Kiddush 14 Among some communities, it is customary to field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. sing and dance after Kiddush Lavanah. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the The Psalm for Rosh Chodesh mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. Rosh Chodesh is a monthly festival, as is of He makes grass grow for the cattle, and course witnessed in the cycle of the moon. plants for man to cultivate--bringing forth Renewal can be seen as starting over after a series food from the earth: Wine that gladdens the of failings. Renewal can also be seen as a heart of man, oil to make his face shine, beginning at a new stage after the completion of a and bread that sustains his heart. The trees prior stage. In the psalm of Rosh Chodesh, of HaShem are well watered, the cedars of Tehillim 104, we find a description of the Lebanon that he planted. There the birds functioning of the world. Every piece of creation make their nests; the stork has its home in has been set in its place. The water, land, and the pine trees. The high mountains belong trees have all been set firmly. Animal life has to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for been set into motion. Man again functions in his the coneys. The moon marks off the created role. This can be viewed as a renewal of seasons, and the sun knows when to go creation as it was meant to be when the first down. You bring darkness, it becomes Shabbat settled upon the earth. Hence it is night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. renewal: we find that it refers not merely to the The lions roar for their prey and seek their original creation, but to a future creation when food from God. The sun rises, and they sins will be wiped off the earth, and evil doers steal away; they return and lie down in will be no more. This “back to the future” their dens. Then man goes out to his work, experience is the goal of Rosh Chodesh. This is a to his labor until evening. How many are renewed world, a messianic view of the already your works, HaShem! In wisdom you made existing world. them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming Tehillim (Psalms) 104:1-35 Praise with creatures beyond number--living HaShem, O my soul. HaShem my God, you things both large and small. There the are very great; you are clothed with ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in which you formed to frolic there. These all light as with a garment; he stretches out look to you to give them their food at the the heavens like a tent And lays the beams proper time. When you give it to them, they of his upper chambers on their waters. He gather it up; when you open your hand, makes the clouds his chariot and rides on they are satisfied with good things. When the wings of the wind. He makes winds his you hide your face, they are terrified; when messengers, flames of fire his servants. He you take away their breath, they die and set the earth on its foundations; it can return to the dust. When you send your never be moved. You covered it with the Spirit, they are created, and you renew the deep as with a garment; the waters stood face of the earth. May the glory of HaShem above the mountains. But at your rebuke endure forever; may HaShem rejoice in his the waters fled, at the sound of your works-- He who looks at the earth, and it thunder they took to flight; They flowed trembles, who touches the mountains, and over the mountains, they went down into they smoke. I will sing to HaShem all my the valleys, to the place you assigned for life; I will sing praise to my God as long as them. You set a boundary they cannot I live. May my meditation be pleasing to cross; never again will they cover the him, as I rejoice in HaShem. But may earth. He makes springs pour water into sinners vanish from the earth and the the ravines; it flows between the mountains. wicked be no more. Praise HaShem, O my They give water to all the beasts of the soul. Praise HaShem. 15 family of Benyamin was responsible for the What blessing can't you say when you're on the eradication of Amalek. Once king Saul failed in moon? this task, the stage was set for the rise of the dynasty of Judah. Before the reign of Mashiach Answer: Kiddush Lavanah, the blessing on seeing ben David, we can expect a king from Benyamin the New Moon. (In Sephardic communities it is who will finally eradicate Amalek and willingly called “Birchat Ha-Lavanah”, The blessing of the turn the kingship to the house of Judah. We have moon.) examined this sequence of events in greater detail in our study titled: Temple. The blessing said when sighting the New Moon can be recited only at night when you can benefit The Midrash records that Adam HaRishon gave from the moon's light. Even at night, if it's cloudy seventy years of his life to David. This connects and you see only a vague image of the moon you Adam and David. It makes this a very important don't say the blessing, since you don't benefit beginning. from its rays. So too, if you were actually standing on the moon you wouldn't be able to say We can also see that Rosh Chodesh will be the blessing of Kiddush Lavanah, because you celebrated in the future because the Tanakh wouldn't be deriving benefit from the moon's records this for us as well: rays!30 Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:22-24 "As the new * * * heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares HaShem, "so Historically, the Torah records that Rosh Chodesh will your name and descendants endure. was celebrated in the past. We can see this in: From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will I Shmuel (Samuel) 20:18 Then Jonathan come and bow down before me," says said to David: "Tomorrow is the New HaShem. "And they will go out and look Moon. You will be missed, because your upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled seat will be empty. against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be This passage is read on the Shabbat before Rosh loathsome to all mankind." Chodesh. This passage is rife with connections to Rosh Chodesh. A Sin-Offering for HaShem?

First, and most obvious, is the fact that Rosh Why is the goat offering of Rosh Chodesh the Chodesh is tomorrow. Historically we know that only sacrifice of its kind referred to as "a sin- this was a period of transition between the offering for HaShem?" Two seemingly diverse kingship of Benyamin (Saul) and the kingship of Talmudic interpretations dovetail to supply the Judah (David). This is the transition from one answer: month to the next. It is analogous to a new king taking the throne. As the reign of Saul was "Let this goat be an atonement," Rabbi Shimon waning, the reign of David was coming. ben Lakish explains the reasoning of HaShem, "for My reducing the light of the moon." We can see that Saul’s son, Jonathan, is not planning on continuing his father’s reigns, but The Talmud31 relates the efforts of HaShem to rather he is doing what he can to prepare the placate the moon after ordering it to reduce its world for the reign of the new dynasty. The light as a response to that luminary's challenge that there was no room in the universe for two 30 Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 426:1 Rema, Magen Avraham 1. 31 Chullin 60b 16 heavenly luminaries of similar power. Jews as he wants to give, along with a hin of oil would calculate their calendar according to the with each ephah. moon and tzaddikim such as Yaakov, Shmuel, and David would be called "small" in association Since Rosh Chodesh was celebrated in the past, with the lesser light of the moon. When all of this and will be celebrated in the future, why in failed to completely appease the moon HaShem heaven don’t we celebrate it today? Obviously the ordered Israel to bring a sin offering on the New offerings can’t be brought because we have no Moon. The atonement of this sacrifice, points out Temple, but, we can obviously celebrate the parts Rabbi Yehuda, is essentially for those sins of that are permissible. entering the Sanctuary or eating sacrificial flesh while in a state of impurity of which one never The Song of Solomon also alludes to the becomes aware. "A sin-offering for HaShem" relationship between Rosh Chodesh and Messiah: means a sin which only HaShem is aware of. HaShem wished to give Israel this opportunity for Kohelet (Song of Solomon) 2:8-9 Listen! atonement, explains Tosefot, and designated Rosh My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping Chodesh, the Festival of the New Moon, as the across the mountains, bounding over the time for offering it in order to placate the moon hills. My lover is like a gazelle or a young for its reduction of light.32 stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering During The Millennium through the lattice.

Yehezekel (Ezekiel) 46:1-7 "'This is what Judah and Tamar had twins: Zerach and Peretz. the Sovereign HaShem says: The gate of Zerach (shining) was so called on account of the the inner court facing east is to be shut on sun which always shines, and Peretz (breach) on the six working days, but on the Sabbath account of the moon which is sometimes day and on the day of the New Moon it is to breached [i.e. its light is sometimes hidden (at the be opened. The prince is to enter from the end of the month) and sometimes completely outside through the portico of the gateway intact.] But Peretz [symbolizing the moon] was and stand by the gatepost. The priests are the first born, although the sun is greater than the to sacrifice his burnt offering and his moon? [i.e. why should the firstborn be fellowship offerings. He is to worship at the symbolized by the smaller orb?] In a sense threshold of the gateway and then go out, Zerach, who stuck out his hand first, was to be but the gate will not be shut until evening. the firstborn; but Peretz, the ancestor of the On the Sabbaths and New Moons the House of David, was given the Divine privilege people of the land are to worship in the of actually being the first born. The Davidic presence of HaShem at the entrance to that dynasty is likened to the moon because it gateway. The burnt offering the prince underwent various stages of ascendancy and brings to HaShem on the Sabbath day is to descendancy. be six male lambs and a ram, all without defect. The grain offering given with the Since the Davidic dynasty evolved from Peretz ram is to be an ephah, and the grain who was likened to the moon, the Talmudic offering with the lambs is to be as much as Sages33, - when wishing to inform the Jews in he pleases, along with a hin of oil for each other countries that the New Moon had appeared ephah. On the day of the New Moon he is to and been sanctified, would use the message offer a young bull, six lambs and a ram, all 'David King of Israel lives and exists'34 without defect. He is to provide as a grain offering one ephah with the bull, one ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much 33 Rosh HaShanah 25a 32 Shavuot 9a 34Ramban citing Sefer HaBahir 17 The Talmud, Sanhedrin 11b, indicates about In addition to the witnesses, the molad for the Tehillim (Psalm) 81:3-4: new moon is also calculated by the Beit Din (Court) that has had their ordination conferred on Tehillim (Psalm) 81:3 Blow the horn at the them in a direct line from Moses. The Beit Din is new moon, at the covering of the moon our the only body that is authorized by halachah to feast day. sanctify the new moon.

Now on which feast is the moon covered? We "But that it is not at all the planetary occurrence must say on the New Year (Rosh HaShana - Yom in the sky that fixes the beginning of the month, Teruah - Feast of Trumpets). And it is thereupon so that all that would be necessary would be for written: the law-officers to take note of such occurrence, is clearly evident from laws that refer to the case Tehillim (Psalm) 81:4 For this is a statute where on the 30th, while yet daytime, the new for Israel, a judgment of the God of Jacob. moon is visible and has been seen by the judges, the court, and by all Israel; or of the case where Just as judgment is executed by day, so also must the thorough examination of the witnesses who the sanctification of the month take place by day. come and testify that they have seen it, has been satisfactorily completed by day, but in either of The sight of the new moon which has reappeared these cases, if night has fallen before the judges is another occasion for celebrating this aspect of have pronounced "it is consecrated", then the 30th creation, and our awareness of it, by expressing ins not the first of the month, in spite of the fact gratitude for the renewal of life, and hopefulness that the new moon has actually been seen by for the future. everybody, or alternatively has been vouched for, and completely confirmed and established, the Rabbi Yohanan said: Whoever blesses the new new moon only starts on the 31st. This is striking moon at the proper time is considered as having evidence that it is not the actual condition up welcomed the presence of the Shechinah. above, but the consecrating declaration of the representatives of Israel that is the decisive Customs factor on which the beginning of the month depends. This, the fact that the nation itself fixes "Originally, the New Moon was not fixed by the date of the beginning of the months is what astronomical calculations, but was solemnly the command refers to..." proclaimed after witnesses had testified to the reappearance of the crescent of the moon. On the "... It is not to be the conjunction of the moon 30th of each month, the members of the High with the sun; not the moon receiving the rays of Court assembled in a courtyard in Jerusalem, illumination afresh, that is to induce the named Beit Ya'azek, where they waited to receive beginning of our months, it is not that, to which the testimony of two reliable witnesses; they then our celebration of the New Moon is to be sanctified the New Moon. If the moon's crescent dedicated. But each time the moon finds the sun was not seen on the 30th day, the New Moon was again, each time it receives its rays of light automatically celebrated on the 31st day."35 afresh, HaShem wants His people to find Him again and to be illuminated with fresh rays of His Entertaining the witnesses and taking their light, wherever and however, in running their testimony, as well as the actual sanctification of course, they have had to pass through periods of the New Moon, all had to take place during darkness and obscurity. The moon finding itself daylight hours as this is a mishpat. again in conjunction with the sun is only a model for our finding ourselves again with HaShem, the rejuvenation of the moon a picture of and an

35From the Jewish Encyclopedia 18 incentive to, our own rejuvenation. Moed is for full months. What is the reason? — R. literally conjunction."36 Zera said: It is a precaution on account of a defective month which ends on Friday. Observations [In that case] when do we light? On the termination of Sabbath; and if you were to Women do not have to work on the day of the insist that we should light up also for full new moon. A woman's cycle is the same as the months, this might give rise to confusion, moon's cycle. As a woman is renewed so too is since people would say: This month may be the moon renewed. This intimate relationship is defective, and the reason why beacons were captured in the definition of “menses” from not lit yesterday is because it was which menstruation is derived: impossible,42 or perhaps it is full and they are lighting up at the proper time. But why men·ses (mèn¹sêz) plural noun (used with a sing. should we not light up whether for a full or pl. verb) The monthly flow of blood and month or a defective month, and when New cellular debris from the uterus that begins at Moon is on Friday not light up at all, so puberty in women and the females of other that since we do not light at the termination primates. In women, menses ceases at of Sabbath, in spite of the fact that we menopause. Also called catamenia. [Latin usually light for a full month, people will mênsês, pl. of mênsis, month.]37 know that it is defective? — This nevertheless may lead to errors, since A month is, of course, related to the moon: A unit people will say, This month is full, and the of time corresponding approximately to one cycle reason why they have not lit up is because of the moon's phases, or about thirty days or four they have been prevented.43 But why not weeks.38 light up for the full months and not at all for the defective months? — Abaye replied: So, it becomes obvious the there is a relationship So as not to deprive the public of two between women and the moon. No wonder, then, working days.44 that there is a custom for women to abstain from hard work on Rosh Chodesh. Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat

The Talmud rules that work is permitted on Rosh The new moon and Sabbath seem to be somehow Chodesh, but describes a tradition that women linked. Notice the scriptures that use them abstain from work on the day.39 together:

Rosh HaShana 23a Our Rabbis taught 2 Melachim (Kings) 4:23 "Why go to him ‘Beacon fires are lit only for the new moon today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon which has been seen at its proper time,40 [to or the Sabbath." "It's all right," she said. announce that] it has been sanctified. When are they lit? On the night following its Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:22-23 "As the new announcement.41 This means to say that we heavens and the new earth that I make will light beacons for defective months but not endure before me," declares HaShem, "so will your name and descendants endure. 36 Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch 42 On account of Sabbath. 37 The American Heritage Dictionary of the English 43 Language Through having drunk too much on Sabbath, and 38 become intoxicated (Rashi). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English 44 Language. It was customary to abstain from work on New Moon (v. Tosaf. s.v. ). In this case the thirtieth day would 39 Compare also Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, chapter 45 ouan 40 always he kept as New Moon from doubt, and if the actual I.e., on the thirtieth day of the outgoing month. day fixed was the thirty-first, there would be two days New 41 ‘the day of the prolongation’. V. supra, p. 81, n. 1. Moon. 19 From one New Moon to another and from prayers are divided into three sections: Malchiyot, one Sabbath to another, all mankind will zicranot, and shofarot. Malchiyot because this is come and bow down before me," says when we declare the kingship of HaShem as HaShem. manifested in Mashiach ben David.

Yehezekel (Ezekiel) 46:1 "'This is what the At Yom Teruah we also have a Rosh Chodesh. Sovereign HaShem says: The gate of the The moon will be in the west! Will the moon inner court facing east is to be shut on the reflect the Shechinah of the Son of Man when He six working days, but on the Sabbath day returns? and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened. Malachi 4:1-2 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant Amos 8:5 Saying, "When will the New and every evildoer will be stubble, and that Moon be over that we may sell grain, and day that is coming will set them on fire," the Sabbath be ended that we may market says HaShem Almighty. "Not a root or a wheat?"--skimping the measure, boosting branch will be left to them. But for you who the price and cheating with dishonest revere my name, the sun of righteousness scales, will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released Matthew 24:26-31 speaks of the messianic hope from the stall. and the arrival of the Mashiach ben David. This expectation is exemplified in our Rosh Chodesh In the future prayers where we sing: David Melech Israel, chai, chai, ve'chai ya... In sefer Revelation, a sod level sefer, we read about a Rosh Chodesh celebration in the future: Matityahu (Matthew) 24:26-31 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the it, and on either side of the river, was there inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as the tree of life, which bare twelve manner lightning that comes from the east is visible of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: even in the west, so will be the coming of and the leaves of the tree were for the the Son of Man. Wherever there is a healing of the nations. carcass, there the vultures will gather. "Immediately after the distress of those This pasuk suggests that the Rosh Chodesh days 'the sun will be darkened, and the celebrations of the future will involve healing. moon will not give its light; the stars will Note that the fruits of one of the twelve trees will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies ripen on Rosh Chodesh. will be shaken.' "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all Beginnings the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the Rosh Chodesh represents a beginning. clouds of the sky, with power and great Beginnings, in Torah, are very potent. For glory. And he will send his angels with a example, the moment of conception of a human loud trumpet call, and they will gather his being is a time when both the male and the elect from the four winds, from one end of female chromosomes divide in half. The the heavens to the other. remaining halves then unite to form a new being. The genes that were laid down at this moment are Further our prayers for Mashiach reach a the descriptors that will define this person for the crescendo on the ultimate Rosh Chodesh: Rosh rest of his life. Not only do they describe his HaShana. On Rosh HaShanah, our shacharit physical components like the color of his eyes 20 and hair, but they also define his temperament beginning, it makes sense that we should pay and his likes and dislikes. In fact, Chazal teach attention to beginnings. that that moment also gives the memories of the father to his progeny. In some way, the child New Moon Calculations knows about the father. While the beginning has occurred in secret, never the less, its potency is The oral Torah tells us how the Sanhedrin great as it contains everything in a compressed calculated the time of Rosh Chodesh. These form. calculations were used to check the veracity of the witnesses. Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of a month, is a little bit like the flash of inspiration, which leads 1. The beginning of the lunar month occurs at the to a blueprint, which leads to a completed moment of conjunction between the sun and the building. That moment of inspiration contains moon; i.e. at the moment when the position of the everything! That moment is hidden, but the end moon is exactly between the earth and the sun. At will reveal that it contained everything. this point, termed as the molad, or "birth", the moon is not visible from the earth. At least six Our Sages teach us that the sound made by the hours must pass before a very small portion of the shofar is the sound of the human neshama, the moon will reappear. The day on which this occurs soul. This is a sound without corruption, the raw is regarded as the first day of the new month. sound of the neshama. The bend of the shofar is (Rashi) said my the mystics to be the transition between this world and the next. Rosh HaShana 20b — The latter statement would be seen to be false,45 the former The shofar is the depth or root of speech. Teshuva statement is not seen to be false.46 (repentance) means to go back to the moment of creation, to go back into the womb to the moment Samuel said: I am quite able to make a of conception. We return to our fetal state, our calendar47 for the whole of the Diaspora. moment of creation. This return is what Chazal Said Abba the father of R. Simlai to meant by zicranot, memory or remembering as a Samuel: Does the Master know [the function of Rosh HaShana. We return to the meaning] of this remark which occurs in moment when the memories (sperm) of the father [the Baraitha known as] the secret of the are given to us. Chazal use this same concept to Calendar?48 ‘If the new moon is born teach us that the sound Adam HaRishon heard on before midday or after midday’? — He wakening from his creation, was the sound of a replied: I do not. He then said to him: shofar, the sound made by his neshama as it Since the Master does not know this, there entered him. This suggests that the shofar can must also be other things which the Master take us back to the very moment when our does not know. When R. Zera went up [to neshama entered us. Israel], he sent back word to them [in Babylon]: It is necessary that there should This same concept will help us to understand why be [on New Moon] a night and a day of the a ram was found at the very moment that Isaac expired and was resurrected. At that moment a shofar became available. 45 Because other people might have seen the new moon. 46 Thus we see that the Rosh Chodesh of Rosh Because it could not be proved that they had not seen it (Rashi). R. Hananel: Provided they had seen a semblance of HaShana is a VERY potent moment! Chazal, the new moon]. therefore, teach that we should be very careful 47 Heb. rucg lit., ‘taking across’: the word used for the about our actions on this day. Not only is it the prolonging of the year and the month. beginning of the month, but it is also the 48 This was a Baraitha made up of enigmatic sentences like beginning of the year. Since the end goes after the the one which follows. 21 new moon.49 This is what Abba the father of 2. The moon resembles a cosmic clock which R. Simlai meant: ‘We calculate [according orbits the earth on the average of 29 days, 12 to] the new moon's birth. If it is born before hours plus 793 parts of an hour (29.53059 days). midday, then certainly it will have been This figure allows for computing in advance all seen shortly before sunset. If it was not new moons and their respective holidays. born before midday, certainly it will not have been seen shortly before sunset’. What 3. In order to calculate the appearance of any new is the practical value of this remark? — R. moon in advance (especially Tishri and Nisan) it Ashi said: To [help us in] confuting the is necessary to know in addition to the rate of the witnesses.50 moon's orbit, the exact moment at which the cosmic clock went into operation. R. Zera said in the name of R. Nahman: The moon is invisible for twenty-four hours Bereshit (Genesis) 1:14-15 And God said, [round about new moon]. For us [in "Let there be lights in the expanse of the Babylon] six of these belong to the old sky to separate the day from the night, and moon and eighteen to the new;51 for them let them serve as signs to mark seasons and [in Israel] six to the new and eighteen to days and years, And let them be lights in the old.52 What is the practical value of this the expanse of the sky to give light on the remark? — R. Ashi said: To confute the earth." And it was so. witnesses. A. According to the position of Rebbi Eliezer The Master has just said: It is necessary (Pirke D'Rebbi Eliezer chapter 8, Pesikta Rabbati that there should be [on New Moon] a 46, Midrash Vayikra Raba Parashat Emor chapter night and a day of the new moon. Whence 29a) when Adam was created on the sixth day of is this rule derived? — R. Johanan said: creation, that day was the first of Tishri, New [From the text]. From evening to evening;53 Year's day. Days 1,2,3,4, and 5 of Creation took Resh Lakish said: [From the text], Until the place successively on the 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29th twenty-first day of the month in the of the month of Elul of the previous hypothetical evening.54 What practical difference is there year. This entire hypothetical year preceding the between them? — Abaye said: The first New Year's day is called Shanat Tohu or difference between them is only one of Primordial Year. exegesis.55 Raba said: They differ in regard to [the hours up to] midnight.56 New Year's Day, Tishri 1, is called Yom Harat Olam, the birth-day of the world referring not to the world which was created on the 25th of Elul 49 I.e., that there should be no appearance of the old moon but to Adam for whom the world was created. in this period, viz., after the closing of the twenty-ninth day; (Rashi's commentary to Mahtzor Vitri.) otherwise New Moon cannot be proclaimed on the thirtieth. 50 Because if the conjunction is calculated to have been B. According to the Oral Tradition (Tosefot on after midday and they claim to have seen the new moon Rosh HaShana 8a, Rabbi Ovadiah ben David on before nightfall, they are not telling the truth. 51 Rambam Sanctification of the month 6:8) the first Which would imply that in Babylon the new moon is not New Moon occurred exactly at the end of the visible till eighteen hours after its birth (Rashi). 52 Which would imply that in Israel the new moon is visible six hours after its birth (Rashi). 56 According to R. Johanan, the ‘night’ referred to is on the 53 Lev. XXIII, 32, in connection with fasting on the Day of same footing as the night of the Day of Atonement which Atonement. This shows that the day follows the night in commences at nightfall. But according to Resh Lakish, it is reference to the festivals. on a par with the first night of Passover, which, in relation 54 to the Paschal lamb, was a continuation of the afternoon Ex. XII, 18, in connection with eating unleavened bread before. Hence Resh Lakish holds that even if the old moon on Passover. This shows that the festivals end at even. was seen in the early part of the evening, the next day may 55 Lit., ‘the interpretation of exegeses’. still be declared New Moon. 22 second hour of the sixth morning (12 + 2 hours we arrive at Molad Tohu, the Primordial New from sun set at the end of the fifth day of Moon. Creation) when Adam was created. This first New Moon is called 6/14 (14 full hours into the 9. It is understood that this extrapolation is built sixth day) and is coded in Hebrew as V/YD. (Vav in such a way that from the Molad Tohu a period equals 6, Yod-Dalet equals 14). The Oral of exactly 12 months would bring us forward to Tradition therefore reveals that the verse "they the first actual New Moon V/YD. shall be as signs..." places the first actual New Moon, not on the fourth day when the luminaries 10. The advantage of employing the concept of were suspended, but on the sixth day of Creation, Molad Tohu (Primordial New Moon) as the when Adam, for whose use they were made, was starting point for the Jewish calendar, allows us to created. work in whole years in the ascertaining of any New Moon we wish to know. (The missing 11 5. Now we know not only the mean-length of the months 29.5 days of the first hypothetical year are lunar month but the exact moment when the automatically included). "cosmic clock" went into operation (V/YD). We may now ascertain the appearance of any New 11. The calculation: When we subtract twelve Moon is advance by calculating the number of times 29 days 793 parts from the 14th hour of the months that have passed since the first New sixth day (V/YD) we obtain the Primordial New Moon (V/YD) and multiplying by 29.53059. (For Moon: 2 days 5 hours 204 parts (or 5 hours and a discussion of "simple" (12 months) and 204 parts of an hour into the second day of the "plenary" or "pregnant" years (13 months) which first week of the previous hypothetical year). In would have to be taken into consideration for Hebrew this number is coded B/H/RD, 2d 5h such a calculation see Rambam Sanctification 204p. (Beit equals 2, hey equals 5, Resh-dalet 6:10-13. equals 204).

6. However, it is critical to bear in mind that the B/H/R/D is derived from Genesis chapter one. If hypothetical year (Shanat Tohu) that preceded the we were to list out the first chapter of Bereshit first actual New Moon V/YD consisted of only (Genesis) as one letter after another, with no five days (Elul 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29) and that the spaces, we could find the B/H/R/D encoded at 42 present Jewish calendar takes the beginning of letter increments. This 42 letter increment is Shanat Tohu as its starting point in order not to based on the 42 letter name of G-d: The Book of omit these 5 days! Our calculations therefore Our Heritage, by Eliyahu Kitov. must make up for the approximately 11 months 24.5 days which are missing if we would start at Rambam (Maimonides), who lived about 1200 V/YD. AD, commented on the synodic Lunar month of the Jewish calendar as being 29 days, 12 hours, 7. In order to prevent unnecessary complications and 793/1080 of the next hour, for a total of 29 + of this sort and enable us to calculate in whole 12/24 + 793/(1080x24) = 29.530594 days. years, the sages employed a method which is scientifically accepted today as well, of Bachya (13th century AD) used an ELS calculating backwards or extrapolation. (equidistant letter sequence) with spacing 42 that started with the first letter of Genesis: 8. Calculating backwards: By means of - D extrapolation we can calculate the first then went to the 42nd letter following that D hypothetical New Moon which would have - R occurred if the World (time) had been created at then went to the 42nd letter following that R the beginning of the year instead of at its end. By - H simply calculating backwards 12 lunar month then went to the 42nd letter following that H cycles of 29 days 12 hours 793 parts from V/YD - B 23 to produce the sequence DRHB, which he This study was written by showed to produce the 29.530594 day synodic Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David Lunar month. (Greg Killian). Comments may be submitted to: Bachya did not claim to have discovered the Torah-coding of the Jewish Lunar month, but Rabbi Dr. Greg Killian gave credit to Nechunya (1st century AD). 4544 Highline Drive SE Tumwater, WA 98501 * * * Internet address: [email protected] Web page: http://www.betemunah.org/

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