About Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz served as Director of Programs for NCSY before becoming Associate Director of the Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Rabbi Abramowitz holds degrees in Jewish studies, communications and Higher Education Administration. Among his accomplishments, he authored NCSY's Torah on One Foot series of educational pamphlets and created negiah.org, the first abstinence web site for Jewish teens. Rabbi Abramowitz is the author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion on Torah, The Nach Yomi Companion volumes 1 and 2 on the books of the Prophets and the Writings, and The Tzniyus Book.

Recent Posts

Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

Questions? Contact us at taryag@ou.org

PARSHAT Pinchas
MITZVAH COUNTER
Mitzvos to date: 403
Positives:166
Negatives:237
That can be performed today:169
Plus those that can be performed only in Israel:20

403. Blue Moon: The obligation to bring additional offerings on Rosh Chodesh


And on new moons… (Numbers 28:11)

Just as on Shabbos, as discussed in the previous mitzvah, an additional sacrifice was also offered on Rosh Chodesh, the start of the new month. (Many people translate Rosh Chodesh as “new moon,” but in its current astronomical sense that refers to the time of the month when no moon is visible. We will avoid the use of that phrase in order to avoid confusing two discrete astronomical events.)

The reason for this mitzvah is related to the importance of the moon. Obviously, the moon is important for light at night. And, notably, it affects the Earth’s tides. Historically, the moon has also played a role in navigation, in agriculture, in timekeeping and even in medicine. All of this is possible because the moon is not static; it goes through its phases, waning and waxing. It is God Who set the moon in motion, causing it to renew each month. It is therefore appropriate to bring an extra offering on the day that the moon is renewed, to thank Him for this gift and to recognize that all the goodness the moon brings about comes from Him.

This mitzvah applies when the Temple service is in effect. In the Talmud, it is discussed in tractate Menachos on pages 49a-b. It is codified in the Mishneh Torah in Hilchos Temidin U’Musafin. This mitzvah is #42 of the 248 positive mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.



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