New Moon Sighting
Special Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections
Shabbat Shalom Saint! Blessings from The Messianic Torah Observer
Hope you are having a blessed day of rest in Y'shua Messiah and that your families and fellowships are well and blessed.
Just wanted to drop you a line to inform you that the renewed moon was sighted over the land of Israel last evening (Jerusalem time that is) by the Israeli New Moon Society. Thus, we've entered the 9th Biblical Month (also known as Kislev). If you are so inclined, check out what we've found to be the best and most Biblically correct calendar in existence (simply click here). If you'd like our perspective on Father's reckoning of time versus man's reckoning of time, we produced a podcast episode and blog post that addresses this foundational issue of our Faith. (simply click here). Traditionally, the sighting of the renewed moon required at least 2-witnesses who would relay their sighting to the priests in Jerusalem. Upon the priests certifying that the witnesses were indeed valid witnesses, Rosh Chodesh was announcement throughout the land. Rosh Chodesh was met with synagogue worship and prayers; the blowing of shoffars; and feasting. Rosh Chodesh was actually considered a mini-holiday of sorts.
The calendar year begins with the Aviv (that is the maturity of the barley harvest coupled with the sighting of the renewed moon). This was commanded of us by Yahovah and recorded in Exodus: "And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: 'This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.'" (12:1-2)[2]
From there we were encouraged to celebrate the start of each month as recorded in Numbers: "And on your joyous occasions - your fixed festivals and new moon days - you shall sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your sacrifices of well-being." (10:10) Yet we've lost the understanding of the importance of the Creator's Calendar, in part because we've moved away entirely from the Creator's reckoning of time to a man-made system of reckoning time. Thus, many of us feel that such observances as Rosh Chodesh and sighting the renewed moon is foolish and outdated.
Hey, we are all about doing and walking and living out this Faith the best way we possibly can. And if Father provides the technology and means by which all of us around the world can be linked at the speed of light as we are today, why would we resist adhering to Father's reckoning of time as He's provided and directed of us to follow.
In any event, have a blessed day of rest and a warm, blessed, peaceful and safe 9th Month.
Shalom
Rod Thomas