D20
We are to determine the occurrence of every new moon.
Category: Days & Seasons
Type: Positive
Form: Implied
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated, optional
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFo - Gentile female, optional | GMo - Gentile male, optional | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Colossians 2:16
Key OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 16:1
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Exodus 12:2-3
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Exodus 13:10
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Exodus 34:22
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Leviticus 23:4
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Numbers 11:20-21
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Numbers 28:11
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
There is no explicit biblical commandment to determine the occurrence of the New Moon ( Rosh Chodesh ), but the numerous references to the beginning of months and to the New Year makes it a logical imperative to do so. Colossians 2:16 is the only mention of the New Moon in the Apostolic Writings, but there are several references in the New Testament to months and years. The difficulty of determining the appearance of a New Moon is that there is no appearance of the moon at all. On the night of a New Moon, one sees no moon - similar to nights that are clouded over. During the time of Yeshua, the New Moon was declared by the San Hedrin upon its receiving the testimony of two individuals that they observed it. How can one see a moon that one cannot see? The testimony received was that the witnesses saw the last sliver of moon showing from the night previous. Using modern astronomical methods of determining the New Moon is more precise and is acceptable in most of Judaism today. Explaining these methods is, however, beyond the scope of this Mitzvah .
Classical commentators
Maimonides and HaChinuch reference the above Torah Scriptures to support their respective mitzvot regarding the New Moon. Meir is silent on the subject.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2