NEW SHOTS OF THE NEW MOON OF SHEVAT The Israeli New Moon Society has posted these photos of the recently spotted new moon of the month of Shevat, which began last Tuesday evening-Wednesday. As mentioned in last Fridays post, prior to the destruction of the Holy Temple, and the subsequent development of a fixed calendar, the establishment of each new moon in Israel was according to eye witness testimony. In recent years the Israeli New Moon Society has taken upon itself the task of relearning the art of spotting the new moon at the earliest possible moment, as would have been done by concerned citizens 2000 years ago, so that they could rush to Jerusalem where they would give testimony to the Sanhedrin. All witnesses would be cross examined and based on the testimony of two reliable witnesses the Sanhedrin would announce the new moon. All witnesses who arrived in Jerusalem would be provided with a large meal, and a place to rest as they waited to be called to testify, so as to encourage people to make the effort. One was even allowed to violate the Shabbat in order to travel to Jerusalem for the purpose of giving testimony. When the Sanhedrin was satisfied with the veracity of the testimony that they had received, they would rise and walk to the door facing the inner court of the Holy Temple. Standing on the steps of the Chamber of Hewn Stone, the head of the Sanhedrin would proclaim to the expectant crowd, The day is hallowed! The people would respond: The day is hallowed! The day is hallowed! Upon the announcement, the service of the Rosh Chodesh offerings would commence. On Rosh HaShana, which is observed on the first of the month of Tishrei, the kohanim would immediately begin tending to the Rosh Hashana offerings, and the Levites would begin performing the musical accompaniment. The Israeli New Moon Society also posted a short time lapse video of the new moon coming into visibility: youtu.be/ekZb6FDDn-c We invite you to also view a live spotting of the new moon with Roy Hoffman of the Israeli New Moon Society, which we filmed two years ago in Jerusalem: youtu.be/hxA0R8i4BY8
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 12:56:42 +0000