Opening Month ROSH ḤODESH: IT S A GIRL THING! 14 Opening Month Lev: Year 1

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1 ROSH ḤODESH: IT S A GIRL THING! Opening Month FAST FACTS The Jewish calendar is tied to the cycles of the moon and sun. Rosh Ḥodesh literally means Head of the Month. It refers to the start of the new month. Each Jewish month has either twenty-nine or thirty days. Rosh Ḥodesh is a two-day holiday when the previous month contains thirty days the last day of the old month and the first day of the new one. In ancient times, before the Jewish calendar was fixed, the sighting of the New Moon actually determined when a new month would begin. By law, the new month began when at least two witnesses observed the first sliver of the moon and reported what they saw to the court in Jerusalem. The news of the New Moon s appearance was communicated from Jerusalem to Jewish communities throughout Israel and the world by hilltop fires. In the days of the first and second Temples (1000 BCE 70 CE), people offered special sacrifices, blew horns and recorders made out of silver, and ate festive meals on Rosh Ḥodesh. Since ancient times, people say special prayers in synagogue, both on Rosh Ḥodesh and on the Shabbat before it, called Shabbat Mevareḥim (Sabbath of Blessing). Fasting and mourning are forbidden on Rosh Ḥodesh. According to legend, Rosh Ḥodesh was given to the women of Israel because they refused to be involved in the creation of an idol. They didn t give their jewelry to make the golden calf, although later they did give generously to the building of the mishkan (portable temple). Because of their righteousness, the women were excused from working on Rosh Ḥodesh. Recently, Rosh Ḥodesh observance has been revived among women across the country. Women meet monthly, often in one another s homes, to share, learn, and connect with each other and their heritage in celebration of the new month. 14 Opening Month Lev: Year 1

2 Rosh Ḥodesh in Poetry The moon now glides toward darkness, toward rest. She retreats in order to emerge whole. She quiets in order to return and fill night with light. So too shall we make a space for ourselves. A space for renewal. Vicki Hollander Excerpted from "An Opening Ceremony" by Vicki Hollander, published in Four Centuries of Jewish Women's Spirituality: A Sourcebook, Ellen M. Umansky and Dianne Ashton, eds. (Boston: Beacon, 1992) Vicki Hollander. Used by permission of the author. All rights reserved. 15 Opening Month Lev: Year 1

3 Opening Month Puzzle Pieces 1 WHAT IS ROSH H. ODESH? 2a Rosh Ḥodesh literally means Head of the Month. It refers to the start of the new Jewish month, which begins when the first sliver of the New Moon appears. A woman s monthly cycle is similar to the cycle of the moon. The English word menstruation comes from the Latin word meaning monthly. 2b 2c According to legend, Rosh Ḥodesh was given to the women of Israel because they refused to be involved in the creation of an idol and didn t give their jewelry to make the golden calf. It is important to know, however, that later the women did contribute generously to the building of the MISHKAN (the portable Temple). Because of their righteousness, the women were excused from working on Rosh Ḥodesh. 3a 3b Like the moon, we need time to rest and time to shine. We should seek that kind of balance in our own lives. 16 Opening Month Lev: Year 1 Tradition teaches that just as the moon renews itself every month, we, too, have a chance to start fresh every month. It s like having a mini-yom Kippur each month, with a clean slate to start anew.

4 Opening Month Puzzle Pieces 3c 4a Like the moon, we go through many phases and changes in our lives. Change is natural and a part of life that can offer insight and growth. In ancient times, before the Jewish calendar was fixed, sighting the New Moon determined when a new month would begin. By law, the new month began when at least two witnesses observed the first sliver of the moon and reported what they saw to the court in Jerusalem. 4b 4c Once the New Moon (Rosh Ḥodesh) was declared, communities all over the world would know when to observe that month s holidays. For example, Passover begins on the 14th of Nisan. Once Rosh Ḥodesh was declared, people could count 14 days and begin celebrating Passover. God first commanded the Children of Israel to mark time by the moon in anticipation of freedom from slavery in Egypt, where time was marked by the sun. By defining time in their own terms, they took control of their own history. Just as the moon would emerge from darkness to light, they would escape from slavery to freedom. 5 WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS ROSH H. ODESH WAS OBSERVED IN THE PAST? 6 WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT ROSH H. ODESH IS OBSERVED TODAY? In the days of the First and Second Temples, people offered special sacrifices, burned incense, blew the shofar, and ate special meals on Rosh Ḥodesh. In biblical times, women celebrated Rosh Ḥodesh by refraining from work. This tradition continued until the turn of the twentieth century in some European communities. 17 Opening Month Lev: Year 1 In ancient times, and right up until today, people say special prayers in synagogue, both on Rosh Ḥodesh and on the Shabbat before it. Recently, Rosh Ḥodesh observance has experienced a revival among Jewish women worldwide. Women meet monthly, often in one another s homes, to connect to each other and their heritage in celebration of the New Moon.

5 ROSH HODESH: IT S A GIRL THING! Calendar and Celebrations FALL Tishrey (September/October) Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simḥat Torah Ḥeshvan (October/November) no holidays Kislev (November/December) Ḥanukkah WINTER Tevet (December/January) Ḥanukkah Shevat (January/February) Tu Beshevat Adar (I and II) (February/March) Purim SPRING Nisan (March/April) Pesaḥ, Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) Iyar (April/May) Yom Hazikaron (Israel s Memorial Day), Yom Ha atzma ut (Israel s Independence Day), Lag Be omer (33rd day of the Omer), Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) Sivan (May/June) Shavuot SUMMER Tamuz (June/July) 17th of Tamuz Av (July/August) Tishah Be av Elul (August/September) Seliḥot 18 Opening Month Lev: Year 1