View source for Rosh Chodesh

{{short description|First day of each Hebrew month}}
{{redirect|New moon festival|the ancient Greek festival|Noumenia}}
{{Infobox Halacha
|image=Rosh Chodesh.jpg
|caption=Rosh Chodesh observance depicted in ''Juedisches Ceremoniel'', a German book published in 1724
|verse={{bibleverse||Exodus|12:1-2|HE}}
|talmud=Megillah 22b
|rambam= 
|sa= 
}}
{{Judaism}}
In [[Judaism]], '''Rosh Chodesh''' or '''Rosh Hodesh''' ({{Script/Hebrew|ראש חודש}}; [[translation|trans]]. ''Beginning of the Month''; [[Literal translation|lit]]. ''Head of the Month'') is a minor holiday observed at the beginning of every month in the [[Hebrew calendar]], marked by the birth of a [[new moon]].<ref name="Kosofsky2009">{{cite book|last=Kosofsky|first=Scott-Martin|title=The Book of Customs: A Complete Handbook for the Jewish Year|date=October 13, 2009|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-173954-5|pages=91–92}}</ref> Rosh Chodesh is observed for either one or two days, depending on whether the previous month contained 29 or 30 days.<ref name=ouk/>

==Origin==
The [[Book of Exodus]] establishes the new moon of [[Nisan]], which is the first month of [[Aviv]], as the beginning of the [[Hebrew calendar]]:
{{blockquote|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."|Exodus 12:1-2<ref name="JPS">''JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh'', Second Edition. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 2003.</ref>}}
In the [[Book of Numbers]], God speaks of the celebration of the new moon to Moses:
{{blockquote|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.|Numbers 10:10<ref name="JPS"/>}}

In {{bibleverse||Psalm|81:4|HE}}, both new and full moon are mentioned as a time of recognition by the Hebrews:
{{blockquote|Blow the horn on the new moon, on the full moon for our feast day.<ref name="JPS"/><ref>Some [[English translations of the bible|translations]] refer to "the appointed time" rather than to the full moon, e.g. [[King James Version]] and [[Wycliffe Bible]]: the latter reads, "Blow ye with a trump in the new moon; in the noble day of your solemnity"</ref>}}

In the Bible, Rosh Chodesh is often referred to simply as "Chodesh", as the Hebrew word "chodesh" can mean both "month" and "new month".<ref>[https://mg.alhatorah.org/Dictionary/2320 Concordance - Dictionary: חֹדֶשׁ]</ref>

==Declaring the month==
{{See also|Hebrew calendar}}
Judaism uses a [[lunisolar calendar]], so Rosh Chodesh is celebrated in connection with the date of the [[new moon]]. Originally, the date of Rosh Chodesh was confirmed on the testimony of witnesses observing the new moon, a procedure known as ''kiddush hachodesh'' (sanctification of the month).<ref>[[Mishnah]] ''[[Rosh Hashanah (tractate)|Rosh Hashanah]]'' 1</ref>  After the [[Sanhedrin]] declared Rosh Chodesh for either a full (30-day) or defective (29-day) month, news of it would then be communicated throughout [[Israel]] and the diaspora.

This system was dependent on the functioning of the Sanhedrin to declare the month, and to communicate this month to far-flung Jewish communities. In the 4th century CE, this became impossible and instead a fixed calendar of 29- and 30-day months (see [[Hebrew calendar]] for details) was instituted by [[Hillel II]].<ref>[https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/rosh-chodesh Rosh Chodesh]</ref> At the end of a 29-day month, Rosh Chodesh is celebrated for one day, on the first day of the new month. At the end of a 30-day month, Rosh Chodesh is celebrated for two days - the 30th day of the previous month, and the first day of the new month.<ref name=ouk>[https://oukosher.org/halacha-yomis/in-the-jewish-calendar-months-are-either-29-or-30-days-in-length-why-is-it-that-for-a-29-day-month-known-as-a-choser-we-observe-only-one-day-rosh-chodesh-while-for-a-30-day-month-which-is-refer/ In the Jewish calendar, months are either 29 or 30 days in length. Why is it that for a 29 day month (known as a choser), we observe only one day Rosh Chodesh, while for a 30 day month (which is referred to as a moleh) we observe 2 days Rosh Chodesh?]</ref>

==Observance==
===Announcement===
Despite the existence of a fixed calendar, Rosh Chodesh is still announced in [[synagogue]]s on the preceding [[Shabbat]] (called [[Shabbat Mevarchim]] — The Shabbat of Blessing [the new month]). The announcement is made after the reading of the [[sefer Torah]], before returning it to the [[Torah ark]]. The name of the new month, and the day of the week on which it falls, is given during the prayer. Some communities customarily precede the prayer by an announcement of the exact date and time of the new moon, referred to as the ''molad'', or "birth".<ref name="''Tehillat HaShem'', p. ">''Tehillat HaShem'', Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, 1988 (Standard Lubovitch prayerbook)</ref><ref name="Kosofsky2009" /> Rosh Chodesh Tishrei (which is also [[Rosh Hashanah]]) is never announced, although according to the fixed Jewish calendar, it is the determining factor for all of the postponements (Dehioth) which determine when each Rosh Chodesh is actually observed.

===Traditional observances===
On Rosh Chodesh, the prayer [[Yaaleh V'Yavo]] is added to the Ritzeh (or "Avodah") blessing of the [[Amidah]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 422:1 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.422.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=www.sefaria.org}}</ref> In the morning service "half [[Hallel]]" ([[Psalms]] 113–118, with two paragraphs omitted) is recited (except on Rosh Chodesh Tevet, which is during Chanukkah, when the full Hallel is recited). The [[Torah reading|Torah is read]], specifically {{Bibleverse|Numbers|28:1-15|HE}} which includes the [[korban|sacrifices]] of Rosh Chodesh. An additional prayer service, called [[Mussaf]], is added to commemorate the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices in the [[Temple in Jerusalem|Temple]]. Its middle blessing begins "Roshei Chadashim". After the service, many recite Psalm 104.

If Rosh Chodesh falls on [[Shabbat]], the regular [[Torah reading]] is supplemented with a reading of Numbers 28:9-15. The German custom is to sing the Half Kaddish preceding Maftir to a special tune.<ref>For an example, see {{cite web|url=http://www.kayj.net/nusach-internal/Special_Categories-Rosh_Chodesh.html |title=Nusach According to the Ashkenaz Tradition |author=Chazan Michael Friedman |year=2014 |publisher=K’hal Adas Yeshurun |location=Jerusalem}}</ref> In most months (if it does not coincide with another special Haftarah), the regular [[Haftarah]] is replaced by a special Rosh Chodesh Haftarah. The ''Mussaf'' prayer is also modified when Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat. The central benediction is replaced with an alternative version (''Ata Yatzarta'') that mentions both the Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh. If Rosh Chodesh falls on a Sunday and not on the Sabbath, the special Haftarah of ''Mahar Chodesh'' ("Tomorrow is the New Moon", [[Books of Samuel|I Samuel]] 20:18-42) is read if it does not coincide with another special Haftarah.

[[Kiddush Levanah]] is recited soon after Rosh Chodesh, although most communities wait until three or seven days after the Molad (the time of the "birth" of the new moon).<ref>Shulach Aruch OC 426:4 and commentaries.</ref>  It is common to wait until Saturday night to recite Kiddush Levanah.<ref>Shulach Aruch OC 426:2</ref>

Many have a custom to eat a special meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh, as recommended by the [[Shulchan Aruch]].<ref>Shulchan Aruch 419</ref> This gives one the opportunity to recite the ''Ya'a'le Ve-Yavo'' in Birkat Hamazon. Some Hasidic Jews sing Psalm 104 during this meal.

===Work===
Jews nowadays generally treat Rosh Chodesh as barely different from any other weekday (except for expansion of the prayer service).<ref name="Kosofsky2009"/> The Torah does not prohibit work (''[[39 melachot|melacha]]'') on Rosh Chodesh,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|28:11-15|HE}}, in contrast with the holidays in the remainder of the chapter where a work prohibition is specified</ref> and the Talmud states that work is permitted on Rosh Chodesh.<ref>Hagigah 18a</ref> The [[Jerusalem Talmud]] states that women refrain from work on Rosh Hodesh, but only by custom as opposed to law.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org.il/Jerusalem_Talmud_Taanit.1.6.3?lang=bi Yerushalmi Taanit 1:6]; see a different wording of the same ruling in [[Arba'ah Turim|Tur]] Orach Chaim 417</ref> This custom is recorded in the [[Shulchan Aruch]],<ref name=sa417>Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 417</ref> but does not seem to be commonly practised in modern times.

Yet for much of early Jewish history, Rosh Chodesh was observed much more seriously. In some Biblical sources, Rosh Hodesh is described as a day when business is not conducted<ref>{{Bibleverse|Amos|8:5|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|20:19|HE}} (referring to the day before Rosh Chodesh as "the day of work")</ref> and which seems to have been devoted to worship<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Kings|4:23|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|Isaiah|66:23|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|Ezekiel|46:1|HE}}</ref> and feasting.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|20:24-29|HE}}</ref> This is corroborated by an inscription from the [[Arad ostraca]] (c. 600 BCE) in which a military commander is told to deliver goods on the first of the month, but only to record this delivery in writing on the second of the month (seemingly because writing was considered a forbidden [[39 melakhot|melakha]]).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=לונשטם |first1=שמואל א' |last2=Loewenstamn |first2=Samuel E. |date=1976 |title=Ostracan 7 from Arad, Attesting the Observance of the New-Moon-Day? / כתובת 7 מאוסטרקאות ערד, עדות לביטול מלאכה בראש חודש? |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23503560 |journal=Beit Mikra: Journal for the Study of the Bible and Its World / בית מקרא: כתב-עת לחקר המקרא ועולמו |volume=כא |issue=ג (סו) |pages=330–332 |jstor=23503560 |issn=0005-979X}}</ref> In the Second Temple period, too, Rosh Chodesh was considered a day of rest according to some sources.<ref>1 Maccabees, 10:34</ref> In the Talmudic period, one passage considered Rosh Chodesh to be a day on which work ceased (''bittul'');<ref>Rosh Hashana 23a</ref> another passage suggests that work ceased (''bittul'') but was not forbidden (''assur'').<ref>Megillah 22b</ref> To explain the current acceptance of working on Rosh Chodesh, [[Aryeh Leib ben Asher Gunzberg|Shaagat Aryeh]] proposed that there indeed was a general prohibition on Rosh Chodesh work while the Temple stood, as the [[mussaf]] sacrifice was offered on behalf of the entire people, and a general principle exists that a person may not work on a day when their sacrifice is offered.<ref>''Turei Even'', Megillah 22b. See also [[Joseph B. Soloveitchik]], ''Shiurim lezecher abba mori'', "Hachrazat Rosh Chodesh Vechol Hamoed", who argues that omitting the addition ''Yaaleh Veyavo'' from Rosh Chodesh prayers does not require repeating the prayer at night because this recitation is fundamentally a consequence of the ''mussaf'' sacrifice which was only offered during the day.</ref>

===Rosh Chodesh and women===
According to the [[Talmud]], women do not engage in work on Rosh Chodesh.<ref>{{cite Talmud|b|Megillah||22b}}</ref> [[Rashi]], in commenting on this passage, delineates the activities from which they must refrain: spinning, weaving, and sewing&mdash;the skills that women contributed to the building of the Mishkan ([[Tabernacle]]). The [[Shulchan Aruch]] writes that "Those women whose custom is not to do work on [Rosh Chodesh] have a good custom".<ref name=sa417/>

The [[midrash]] ''[[Pirke De-Rabbi Eliezer]]'' gives a historical explanation for this practice:

<blockquote>Aaron argued with himself, saying: "If I say to Israel, 'Give ye to me gold and silver,' they will bring it immediately; but behold I will say to them, 'Give ye to me the earrings of your wives and of your sons,' and forthwith the matter will fail," as it is said, "And Aaron said to them, 'Break off the golden rings.'" The women heard (this), but they were unwilling to give their earrings to their husbands; but they said to them: "Ye desire to make a graven image of a molten image without any power in it to deliver." The Holy One, blessed be He, gave the women their reward in this world and the world to come. What reward did He give them in this world? That they should observe the new moons more stringently than the men, and what reward will He give them in the world to come? They are destined to be renewed like the new moons, as it is said: "Who satisfieth thy years with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle."<ref>{{cite book |translator-last=Friedlander |translator-first=Gerald |title=Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer: The Chapters of Rabbi Eliezer the Great According to the Text of the Manuscript Belonging to Abraham Epstein of Vienna |location=New York |publisher=Hermon Press |date=1965 |pages=353–354}} (chapter 45)</ref></blockquote>

In modern times, female-centered Rosh Chodesh observances vary from group to group, but many are centered on small gatherings of women, called Rosh Chodesh groups. There is often a particular interest in the [[Shekinah]], considered by the [[kabbalah]] to be a feminine aspect of God. These groups engage in a wide variety of activities that center around issues important to Jewish women, depending on the preference of the group's members. Many Rosh Chodesh groups explore spirituality, religious education, ritual, health issues, music, chanting, art, and/or cooking. Some groups also choose to educate young Jewish women in their community about sexuality, self-image, and other women's mental and physical health issues.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gottlieb |first=Lynn |title=She Who Dwells Within: A Feminist Vision of a Renewed Judaism |location=San Francisco |publisher=Harper San Francisco |date=1995 |chapter=Ch. 12: The Initiation of the New Jewish Woman}}</ref>

Miriam's cup (for the prophet [[Miriam]]) originated in the 1980s in a Boston Rosh Chodesh group; it was invented by Stephanie Loo, who filled it with mayim hayim (living waters) and used it in a feminist ceremony of [[guided meditation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/74341/why-miriams-cup-because-without-miriam-jewish-life-would-not-exist/ |title=Why Miriam's Cup? Because without Miriam, Jewish life would not exist &#124; j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California |newspaper=J |publisher=Jweekly.com |date=2015-04-02 |access-date=2015-04-13}}</ref> Some seders (including the original Women's Seder, but not limited to women-only seders) now set Miriam's cup as well as the traditional cup for the prophet Elijah, sometimes accompanied by a ritual to honor Miriam.<ref>[http://www.miriamscup.com/RitualFirst.htm Miriam's Cup: Miriam's Cup rituals for the family Passover seder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504070956/http://www.miriamscup.com/RitualFirst.htm |date=2015-05-04 }}. Miriamscup.com. Retrieved on 18 October 2011.</ref> Miriam's cup is linked to the ''[[midrash]]'' of [[Miriam#Jewish culture|Miriam's well]], which "is a rabbinic legend that tells of a miraculous well that accompanied the Israelites during their 40 years in the desert at the Exodus from Egypt".<ref name="Esserman defrosting">{{cite news|last=Esserman|first=Rachel|title=Defrosting Judaism: A look at the Ritualwell Website|url=http://www.rrc.edu/sites/default/files/legacy/Defrosting%20Judaism%20-%20Esserman.pdf|access-date=29 January 2014|newspaper=The Reporter|date=1 September 2006|agency=Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton|location=Binghamton, NY|page=5|format=Print|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407064500/http://www.rrc.edu/sites/default/files/legacy/Defrosting%20Judaism%20-%20Esserman.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Passover/The_Seder/Seder_Plate_and_Table/Miriams_Cup.shtml |title=Miriam's Cup |publisher=My Jewish Learning |date=2014-01-22 |access-date=2015-04-13}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Hebrew calendar]]
*[[Solar year]]
*[[Lunar cycle]]
*[[Jewish feminism]]
*[[Yom Kippur Katan]] - Fast day including Confessional ritual for the day preceding Rosh Chodesh

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061019115125/http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/About_Jewish_Holidays/Rosh_Chodesh.htm My Jewish Learning: Rosh Chodesh]
*[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Rosh_Chodesh.html Jewish Virtual Library - Rosh Chodesh]
* Rabbi [[Eliezer Melamed]], [[Peninei Halakha]] - Zmanim, [https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/category/zemanim/05-01/ Rosh Chodesh]
{{Jewish holidays}}

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[[Category:Minor Jewish holidays]]
[[Category:Hallel]]
[[Category:Observances held on the new moon]]