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Rosh Chodesh
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In Hebrew, Rosh Chodesh means, literally, "head of the month" or "first of the month." Rosh Chodesh is the first day of any new month. If a month is 30 days long, then the 30th day is treated as part of the Rosh Chodesh for the next month, and the Rosh Chodesh for next month extends for two days (the 30th of the earlier month and the 1st of the later month).
In ancient times, Rosh Chodesh was a significant festival day. At that time, the new months were determined by observation. Each month began when the first sliver of moon became visible after the dark of the moon. Observers would watch the sky at night for any sign of the moon. If they saw the moon, they would report their sightings to the Sanhedrin, which would interrogate them to make sure that they were not mistaken. Where in the sky did the moon appear? Which direction was it pointing? If two independent, reliable eyewitnesses confirmed that the new moon had appeared and described it consistently, the Sanhedrin would declare the new month and send out messengers to tell people when the month began.
The day after the moon appeared was a festival, announced with the sounding of the shophar, commemorated with solemn convocations, family festivities and special sacrifices. The importance of this holiday in ancient times should not be underestimated. The entire calendar was dependent upon these declarations; without the declarations, there would be no way of knowing when holidays were supposed to occur.
This is the very first commandment given to the nation as a whole, an indication that the concept of Rosh Chodesh, or the New Moon, is very meaningful. Moreover, a thousand years later in Eretz Yisrael, during the period of Syrian-Greek persecution that culminated in the miracle of Chanukah, Rosh Chodesh was one of only three commandments whose observance the oppressors prohibited. The other two forbidden commandments were the Sabbath and circumcision; that Rosh Chodesh was on a plane with those central observances is sufficient indication of its great significance.
On a deeper level, Rosh Chodesh symbolizes renewal, the ability of the Jewish People to rise up from oblivion and restore itself to its past greatness. Just as the moon disappears at the end of each month, but returns and grows to fullness, so Israel may suffer exile and decline, but it always renews itself - until the coming of the Messiah, when the promise of the Exodus and the Revelation at Sinai will be fulfilled, never to be dimmed again.
This essential characteristic of Jewish history was first exhibited in Egypt, when, in the simile of the Sages, the nation had fallen to the forty-ninth level of impurity - one level above spiritual extermination - only to renew itself so breathtakingly that after seven weeks it was able to stand at Mount Sinai and experience prophecy.
This concept of Jewish renewal was what the Syrian-Greeks attempted to eradicate by ending the observance of Rosh Chodesh. Instead, the Jewish People rose up in defense of the Torah and the Temple, and their triumph is commemorated through Chanukah, the festival of renewal.
Some try to celebrate the New Moon with keeping a Sabbath’s day rest. It is not commanded to rest on this day, but to acknowledge it is significant. For me, I would love to rest, but practically, it is not possible. For those in the same situation, to help us celebrate Rosh Chodesh, we can still acknowledge the day by celebrating a Sabbath meal at the sight of the new moon and open your heart to receive the spiritual significance of this day in you and your family’s lives. Ps 81 shows us that the Shophar is to be sounded to announce the starting of a new monthly cycle.
Rosh Chodesh has always been more than simply the beginning of the new month. When describing the Rosh Chodesh offering in the Book of Numbers, the Torah says: “And there shall be one goat as a sin offering to the Lord, to be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and its libation (Numbers 28:2). It seems odd that Rosh Chodesh requires a sin offering, which is normally brought after one has sinned. During the Mussaf prayer service of Rosh Chodesh, we call Rosh Chodesh a “time of atonement” z’man kapara. The beginning of a new month and a new lunar cycle brings with it a sense of renewal and rebirth. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a 19th Century German rabbi, writes about Rosh Chodesh: “Each time the moon finds the sun again, each time it receives its rays of light afresh, God wants His people to find Him again, and to be illuminated with fresh rays of His light, wherever and however, in running their course, they have had to pass through periods of darkness and obscurity. Hirsch further comments on the fact that the verse says This month shall mark for you…
This renewal of the moon shall be a beginning of renewals for you. Noticing, realizing the fresh birth of the moon shall induce you to achieve a similar rejuvenation. You are to fix your moons, your periods of time by taking note of this ever fresh recurring rejuvenation.
We have to look at a few words first to find out the true meaning of this celebration of rest.
1. Chodesh – New Moon
The word for New Moon is “chodesh”
Meaning; to be new, renew, repair, to renew, make anew, to repair, to renew one self, new, new thing, fresh the new moon, month, monthly, the first day of the month, the lunar month.
It sounds almost like the word “khodesh”, meaning; to be set apart or Holy. This is significant because it is a time where you renew yourself, or rededicate yourself to live as set apart people of YHVH. This word can be further broken up in:
khad
Meaning; sharp, one (number), first, each, once, to be sharp, be alert, be keen, to sharpen, to be sharpened, mighty, to rejoice, to make glad, gladden, breast, chest. This also forms the basis of the word meaning ‘to rest’ or “chadol”
, by adding a “Lamed” (learning) to the left side. This time of rest is to learn about Him so that we can be spiritually sharpened and find His joy in His Word so that we can be refreshed by it.
The last part of the word “chodesh” is:
-daw-shaw'
Meaning; to sprout, shoot, grows green, cause to shoot forth, grass, new grass, green herb, vegetation, young. Taking the time off, resting and learning will water His seed inside of you and let it sprout up as green vegetation that you and others feed on.
2. Yaroach – New Moon
There is a second word for ‘New Moon’, and it is “ Yaroach”
Meaning; Jaroah = "new moon" In Hebrew, the “yod” at the beginning does not change the meaning of the root word, but enhance it.
It is formed from the root word “Rooach”;
Meaning; Spirit, to smell, scent, perceive odor, accept of delight (metaph).
The new moon has to do with the work of His Spirit inside of you, as we have seen in the previous meanings of the word for ‘New Moon’. This puts the emphasis on the Spirit, and it is through His Spirit, the works gets done, but only if you rest and allow time for Him to work inside of you.
The word “yaroach” or ‘New Moon’ is made up of the first part:
”yaw-raw”, meaning; to throw, shoot, cast, pour, lay, set, to shoot arrows, to point out, show, to direct, teach, instruct, to throw water, rain.
This is confirming the work of His Spirit inside of us, He instruct and teaches us to shoot correctly. The word ‘shoot’ is associated with ‘sin’ or missing the mark. He teaches and directs us to shoot, hitting the mark every time.
In His Word His Spirit is also associated with rain on the nations, His Spirit poured out on all people. This water is the same water of His word, purified through the evaporation and condensation process, falling on us, pure and full of life.
Reading the word “Ruach” from left to right, gives the word “chivar”, meaning; white, cave, hole, linen weaver. Linen was used to make the ‘wall’ of the Tabernacle and represents YHVH’s righteousness inside of us through His indwelling Spirit, making us righteous so that we can walk as righteous.
The first part of this word is “chavaw”, taking away the “resh”, giving us the meaning; to show, interpret, explain, inform, tell, and declare, (Eve), "life" or "living", village, town, tent village, seer (vision). This is what Y’shua said to His Disciples when He told them that he will be going to the Father, He will send His Spirit, to explain to them and tell and teach them what they need to know. His Spirit is given to us to teach us and to explain to us His Word and will and to teach us the way to live as set apart people, living His New Life.
The word “chavaw” form the root word for a couple of other interesting words that supports the work of the Spirit:
cho'-ach
Meaning; thorn, brier, bramble, thorn bush, thicket, hook, ring, fetter, rock, crevice (a hiding place) His Spirit hooks us together, like the tabernacle curtains connected with hooks, forming one body of Messiah. His Spirit brings unity in love, helping us to dwell together, representing Him here on earth. The ‘ring’ symbolizes the cycle or circle, that helps us to stay hooked and connected to Him, so is His Spirit, a ring and sign that we are His.
choot
Meaning; to repair, join, a thread, cord, line, string. Every torn place in the tabernacle is repaired with a string or thread and in the same way, His Spirit repair broken relationships in His Body so that we can function as one.
chool
Meaning; circle, o twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained, to be born, sand. It is the work of His Spirit that we are born again and that we can dance in the joy of His salvation. The festivals are a cycle of rejoicing before Him and Rosh Chodesh are one of the monthly festivals, where you rededicate your life after a month of fear, anguish and pain, standing up in the hope of His salvation.
Rosh Chodesh is a time of rededication, where you rededicate yourself anew to YHVH, resting from the previous month’s bad things that worn you down. It is a time where you give yourself to feed on His green pastures, taking in His Word and sharpen your Sword for the battles in the month to come. It is a time where His Spirit will refresh you, lighting the fire inside of you, burning passion for His work within you, devouring the offers (prayers) you put on the Altar in His Holy Temple (you). This feast and time of rest and rejoicing in His victories and in the hope of His Salvation, that you are sealed and ready for the Day of His Coming, burning with passion and fighting the fight of faith until the end.
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New Moon - Rosh Chodesh
In Hebrew, Rosh Chodesh means, literally, "head of the month" or "first of the month." Rosh Chodesh is the first day of any new month. If a month is 30 days long, then the 30th day is treated as part of the Rosh Chodesh for the next month, and the Rosh Chodesh for next month extends for two days (the 30th of the earlier month and the 1st of the later month).
In ancient times, Rosh Chodesh was a significant festival day. At that time, the new months were determined by observation. Each month began when the first sliver of moon became visible after the dark of the moon. Observers would watch the sky at night for any sign of the moon. If they saw the moon, they would report their sightings to the Sanhedrin, which would interrogate them to make sure that they were not mistaken. Where in the sky did the moon appear? Which direction was it pointing? If two independent, reliable eyewitnesses confirmed that the new moon had appeared and described it consistently, the Sanhedrin would declare the new month and send out messengers to tell people when the month began.
The day after the moon appeared was a festival, announced with the sounding of the shophar, commemorated with solemn convocations, family festivities and special sacrifices. The importance of this holiday in ancient times should not be underestimated. The entire calendar was dependent upon these declarations; without the declarations, there would be no way of knowing when holidays were supposed to occur.
This is the very first commandment given to the nation as a whole, an indication that the concept of Rosh Chodesh, or the New Moon, is very meaningful. Moreover, a thousand years later in Eretz Yisrael, during the period of Syrian-Greek persecution that culminated in the miracle of Chanukah, Rosh Chodesh was one of only three commandments whose observance the oppressors prohibited. The other two forbidden commandments were the Sabbath and circumcision; that Rosh Chodesh was on a plane with those central observances is sufficient indication of its great significance.
On a deeper level, Rosh Chodesh symbolizes renewal, the ability of the Jewish People to rise up from oblivion and restore itself to its past greatness. Just as the moon disappears at the end of each month, but returns and grows to fullness, so Israel may suffer exile and decline, but it always renews itself - until the coming of the Messiah, when the promise of the Exodus and the Revelation at Sinai will be fulfilled, never to be dimmed again.
This essential characteristic of Jewish history was first exhibited in Egypt, when, in the simile of the Sages, the nation had fallen to the forty-ninth level of impurity - one level above spiritual extermination - only to renew itself so breathtakingly that after seven weeks it was able to stand at Mount Sinai and experience prophecy.
This concept of Jewish renewal was what the Syrian-Greeks attempted to eradicate by ending the observance of Rosh Chodesh. Instead, the Jewish People rose up in defense of the Torah and the Temple, and their triumph is commemorated through Chanukah, the festival of renewal.
Some try to celebrate the New Moon with keeping a Sabbath’s day rest. It is not commanded to rest on this day, but to acknowledge it is significant. For me, I would love to rest, but practically, it is not possible. For those in the same situation, to help us celebrate Rosh Chodesh, we can still acknowledge the day by celebrating a Sabbath meal at the sight of the new moon and open your heart to receive the spiritual significance of this day in you and your family’s lives. Ps 81 shows us that the Shophar is to be sounded to announce the starting of a new monthly cycle.
Exo 12:2
This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.
Psa 81:3
Blow the ram's horn in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
Eze 46:1
So says the Master YHVH: The gate of the inner court that faces eastward shall be shut the six working days. But on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.
2Ki 4:23
And he said, Why will you go to him today?It is neither new moon nor sabbath. And she said, It is well.
Isa 66:22-23
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make stand before Me, says YHVH, so will your seed and your name stand. (23) And it will be, from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Me, says Jehovah.
Rosh Chodesh has always been more than simply the beginning of the new month. When describing the Rosh Chodesh offering in the Book of Numbers, the Torah says: “And there shall be one goat as a sin offering to the Lord, to be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and its libation (Numbers 28:2). It seems odd that Rosh Chodesh requires a sin offering, which is normally brought after one has sinned. During the Mussaf prayer service of Rosh Chodesh, we call Rosh Chodesh a “time of atonement” z’man kapara. The beginning of a new month and a new lunar cycle brings with it a sense of renewal and rebirth. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a 19th Century German rabbi, writes about Rosh Chodesh: “Each time the moon finds the sun again, each time it receives its rays of light afresh, God wants His people to find Him again, and to be illuminated with fresh rays of His light, wherever and however, in running their course, they have had to pass through periods of darkness and obscurity. Hirsch further comments on the fact that the verse says This month shall mark for you…
This renewal of the moon shall be a beginning of renewals for you. Noticing, realizing the fresh birth of the moon shall induce you to achieve a similar rejuvenation. You are to fix your moons, your periods of time by taking note of this ever fresh recurring rejuvenation.
What does this festival really mean to us?
We have to look at a few words first to find out the true meaning of this celebration of rest.
1. Chodesh – New Moon
The word for New Moon is “chodesh”
Meaning; to be new, renew, repair, to renew, make anew, to repair, to renew one self, new, new thing, fresh the new moon, month, monthly, the first day of the month, the lunar month.
It sounds almost like the word “khodesh”, meaning; to be set apart or Holy. This is significant because it is a time where you renew yourself, or rededicate yourself to live as set apart people of YHVH. This word can be further broken up in:
khad Meaning; sharp, one (number), first, each, once, to be sharp, be alert, be keen, to sharpen, to be sharpened, mighty, to rejoice, to make glad, gladden, breast, chest. This also forms the basis of the word meaning ‘to rest’ or “chadol”
, by adding a “Lamed” (learning) to the left side. This time of rest is to learn about Him so that we can be spiritually sharpened and find His joy in His Word so that we can be refreshed by it. The last part of the word “chodesh” is:
-daw-shaw' Meaning; to sprout, shoot, grows green, cause to shoot forth, grass, new grass, green herb, vegetation, young. Taking the time off, resting and learning will water His seed inside of you and let it sprout up as green vegetation that you and others feed on.
2. Yaroach – New Moon
There is a second word for ‘New Moon’, and it is “ Yaroach”
Meaning; Jaroah = "new moon" In Hebrew, the “yod” at the beginning does not change the meaning of the root word, but enhance it. It is formed from the root word “Rooach”;
Meaning; Spirit, to smell, scent, perceive odor, accept of delight (metaph).
The new moon has to do with the work of His Spirit inside of you, as we have seen in the previous meanings of the word for ‘New Moon’. This puts the emphasis on the Spirit, and it is through His Spirit, the works gets done, but only if you rest and allow time for Him to work inside of you.
The word “yaroach” or ‘New Moon’ is made up of the first part:
”yaw-raw”, meaning; to throw, shoot, cast, pour, lay, set, to shoot arrows, to point out, show, to direct, teach, instruct, to throw water, rain. This is confirming the work of His Spirit inside of us, He instruct and teaches us to shoot correctly. The word ‘shoot’ is associated with ‘sin’ or missing the mark. He teaches and directs us to shoot, hitting the mark every time.
In His Word His Spirit is also associated with rain on the nations, His Spirit poured out on all people. This water is the same water of His word, purified through the evaporation and condensation process, falling on us, pure and full of life.
Reading the word “Ruach” from left to right, gives the word “chivar”, meaning; white, cave, hole, linen weaver. Linen was used to make the ‘wall’ of the Tabernacle and represents YHVH’s righteousness inside of us through His indwelling Spirit, making us righteous so that we can walk as righteous.
The first part of this word is “chavaw”, taking away the “resh”, giving us the meaning; to show, interpret, explain, inform, tell, and declare, (Eve), "life" or "living", village, town, tent village, seer (vision). This is what Y’shua said to His Disciples when He told them that he will be going to the Father, He will send His Spirit, to explain to them and tell and teach them what they need to know. His Spirit is given to us to teach us and to explain to us His Word and will and to teach us the way to live as set apart people, living His New Life.
The word “chavaw” form the root word for a couple of other interesting words that supports the work of the Spirit:
cho'-ach Meaning; thorn, brier, bramble, thorn bush, thicket, hook, ring, fetter, rock, crevice (a hiding place) His Spirit hooks us together, like the tabernacle curtains connected with hooks, forming one body of Messiah. His Spirit brings unity in love, helping us to dwell together, representing Him here on earth. The ‘ring’ symbolizes the cycle or circle, that helps us to stay hooked and connected to Him, so is His Spirit, a ring and sign that we are His.
Eph 2:22
in whom you also are built together for a dwelling place of YHVH through the Spirit.
choot Meaning; to repair, join, a thread, cord, line, string. Every torn place in the tabernacle is repaired with a string or thread and in the same way, His Spirit repair broken relationships in His Body so that we can function as one.
1Pe 1:22
Purifying your souls in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, love one another fervently out of a pure heart,
chool Meaning; circle, o twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained, to be born, sand. It is the work of His Spirit that we are born again and that we can dance in the joy of His salvation. The festivals are a cycle of rejoicing before Him and Rosh Chodesh are one of the monthly festivals, where you rededicate your life after a month of fear, anguish and pain, standing up in the hope of His salvation.
Eph 1:13-14
in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Conclusion
Rosh Chodesh is a time of rededication, where you rededicate yourself anew to YHVH, resting from the previous month’s bad things that worn you down. It is a time where you give yourself to feed on His green pastures, taking in His Word and sharpen your Sword for the battles in the month to come. It is a time where His Spirit will refresh you, lighting the fire inside of you, burning passion for His work within you, devouring the offers (prayers) you put on the Altar in His Holy Temple (you). This feast and time of rest and rejoicing in His victories and in the hope of His Salvation, that you are sealed and ready for the Day of His Coming, burning with passion and fighting the fight of faith until the end.
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