A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... In the time of Sanhedrin, past and future, Rosh Chodesh is proclaimed by the head of Sanhedrin, sometime from sunrise onward. Then Rosh HaShana will have to have begun the previous night. In order for this to happen, we would begin RH the evening following 29 Elul, regardless of whether eye-witnesses to the first visibility of the lunar crescent show up that night, the next day, or not. Technically, if they do, that day (the one following 29 Elul) would be Rosh HaShana, and that's it. If witnesses don't show, then the following day would be RH. And this first day? Nothing really. This doesn't work well. It's not just the witnesses, it's the notification of Jews all over Israel that's needed. Therefore, our Sages decreed that RH shall be two days (like one long day). We then can treat both days with the seriousness (and joy) they require. [The
Rosh HaShana Homepage]
|
