MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ROSH HODESH

I.                   Introduction

(Ecclesiastes 3:1) To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

a.      (Genesis 1:14) at the fourth day, the sun, moon and stars become visible: And G-d said, let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.

b.     (Exodus 12:2) This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you (cc Lev 23)

c.     (Psalm 104:19) He appointed the moon for season: the sun knoweth his going

d.     (Numbers 10:10) Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your G-d: I am the L-rd your G-d.

II.                What is Rosh Chodesh?

a.      It is a monthly celebration of the new moon according to the lunar/Jewish calendar.  It follows the lunar 29/30 day cycle

b.     All Biblical Feasts are tied to the lunar cycle, starting from Rosh Chodesh Nisan (Exodus 12:2)

c.     Long ago, each month the appearance of the new moon was attested by witnesses deemed credible.  Fires were set on hilltops to announce the new moon to neighboring communities who, in turn, passed the message along.  Once Jews lived outside Eretz Israel, it was an inadequate way to report new moon

d.     The present day Jewish calendar was introduced in the time of Hillel II (358/359 CE)

III.             Biblical Rosh Chodesh was a happy occasion

a.      Trumpets were blown

b.     Feasts were held

c.     Work ceased for the day

d.     People visited the prophets to hear their teachings

e.      Some think synagogues developed at such gatherings

f.       During the Talmudic times before the calendar was firmly fixed

                                                              i.      A colorful ceremony marked the new moon

                                                            ii.      On 30^th of the month members of the high court in Jerusalem would gather to hear testimony of witness regarding the sighting of the first sliver of crescent of moon

                                                          iii.      Not established by strict astronomical calculations but solemnly proclaimed by witnesses

IV.            Rosh Chodesh Today

a.      No big rituals to celebrate as before

b.     Some Hassidic Jews observe a fast called Yom Kippur Katan, a small day of atonement

                                                              i.      Developed in 16^th century by Kabbalists

                                                            ii.      Interpret the moon’s disappearance ending the month as the exile of the Shekhinah, the feminine aspect of G-d

c.     Today, standard rituals are shadows of earlier ones

                                                              i.      Shabbat before new moon, during Torah service, the reader announces the coming month, giving its name and the day on which the festival will fall

                                                            ii.      Congregants stand during the announcement in remembrance of the original proclamation in Jerusalem

                                                          iii.      They repeat the name of the month aloud and pray that it will be a time of goodness and blessing, of gladness and salvation

                                                         iv.      Worshippers include special prayers, recite psalms of praise to G-d

                                                           v.      Fasting is forbidden, festivities are called for, including house-warming, dedications, and other cheerful events

                                                         vi.      Kiddush Levanah

1.     On an evening when the moon is clearly visible, traditional Jews go outdoors and bless the moon.  Called Kiddush Levanah, the sanctification of the moon.

2.     This originated during Talmudic days

3.     Participants exchange greetings such as Shalom Aleikhem/Aleikhem Shalom

                                                       vii.      In the coming Messianic Age, the moon will be restored to its former luster and the Kingdom of David will be restored to Israel

                                                     viii.      Today, since 1970’s, Jewish women’s groups connect Rosh Chodesh as an expression of their vitality and connection to their monthly cycle and the resumption of normal relations with their husbands

V.               Regeneration/Renewal of the Kingdom

a.      Kiddush Levanah

b.     In the Zohar (Jewish mystical book) it teaches that the nation of Israel may be compared to the moon

c.     Just as the moon wanes and totally disappears, just as the black heavens seem to be totally void of light, the sliver of the new waxing moon appears: in just such a manner, a new spirit of regeneration emerges from within Israel.  Just as when the children of Abraham and Sarah seem to be utterly devastated and destroyed from being under persecution, from the depths of despair, they call to the L-rd

d.     Having just celebrated Hanukkah, we remember how King Antiochus, and the Romans later, banned the celebration of Rosh Chodesh, which tells the people of the cycle of the feasts and Shabbat

e.      G-d’s holy people rose up, called upon the L-rd, and by the miracle of HaShem, He rescued us

VI.            Kestenbaum Edition of the Chumash

a.      (Genesis 38:29-30) Roots of the Royal House of David

                                                              i.      Perez and Zerah

                                                            ii.      Zerah=shine (sun)

                                                          iii.      Perez=breach/break

                                                         iv.      These are illusions to the sun and moon

                                                           v.      Zerah begins to come out first (red ribbon on his wrist) Perez breaks through and is progenitor of the Royal line of David

b.     During prayers outside, saying the Kiddush Levanah, the people declare David Melech Yisrael, David, King of Israel lives on!

VII.         Significance/Conclusion

a.      New moons determine ALL Feast and Holy Days

b.     Weekly Shabbat, pictures, among other things, the Sabbath Millennium, when Yeshua will reign for 1000 years (Sukkot pictures the same in greater detail)

c.     New Moon pictures renewal of life

                                                              i.      Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets) pictures greater detail

                                                            ii.      Day of which is said, “Nobody knows the day or the hour…”  But we know the season and are to watch Familiar words to us, who have read Matthew 24:36-44, cc Luke 21:34-36

                                                          iii.      The New Moon was not based upon astronomical calculation. Otherwise, everyone would know before hand and watch for the day

                                                         iv.      On this day (Yom Teruah) several difficult trumpet sounds.  The last trump is preceded by a shout-Teruah Gedolah!  This is translated something like, “The return of the Great One

1.     Sounds like Shaul might have referred to this (1Thes 4:16, 1Cor 15:52)

2.     We announce the New Moon every month, except on Tishri, Yom Teruah.  We stay awake up to 49 hours, waiting and watching

3.     We wait for the time when we hear the archangel shout, “Tekiah Gedola” and hear G-d blow the last trump

HALELLUYAH, EVEN SO, COME ADON YESHUA (REV 22:20)

Rabbi Z

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