Exploring Our Biblical Heritage

Sighting the New Moon?

Shalom Aleichem,

I have a question and it is one that as cause many arguements.
Why do we sight the new moon? My understanding is that you really can't see a new moon and when you see a sliver it is the actual begining of the second day. So if you call that the new moon you are a day behind. It would seem to me to be more of a calculation.
If you study the two set-apart days that fall on the fifteenth day after the new moon, Pesach and Sukkoth. If we waited to see a sliver we would be off a day. The full moon would have occured the day before.
Can someone please show me in scripture where "sighting the new moon" is our way of calculating our times?

Shalom
Shulamyah Zaza

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jody on February 18, 2009 at 1:55pm: Shalom, "If you study the two set-apart days that fall on the fifteenth day after the new moon, Pesach and Sukkoth. If we waited to see a sliver we would be off a day. The new moon would have occured the day before."

I am sorry, I don't understand the question.

The "new moon" is actually the time when the moon is in darkness not visible to the naked eye. It is the time from the conjuction (when it stops waning and starts waxing) until the first visible cresent. And yes, if I understand you correctly, when you actually can sight the first visible cresent, then it is the end of the day of the new moon, and it is the start of the 2nd day of the new moon cycle, which is a work day. The cresent is the sign that the day of the new moon is over (first day of the "new" moon cycle) and it is the sign we are to begin work days.
I don't know if that answers your question since I don't really understand what you are asking.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shulamyah on February 19, 2009 at 6:48pm: Sorry, if I left you a bit confused. But we agree...halleluYah! I just wish I could do the same with the assembly I meet with. They are determine to see the sliver, which puts them a day off.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shalom2Uall on February 18, 2009 at 4:54pm: On Cindy's page, there is article (blog)titled "Numbering Your Days", this should answer your questions. It was written by
a friend and gave us permission to read it. I also can send U a pdf e-book via email of the book called "Holy Time"
I also have another article I can send U too about this subject via email.

Please let me know, I will need to send it to U directly via email.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jody on February 19, 2009 at 2:29pm: Shalom, If I understood Cindys blog correctly, she does not count the day she calls a "lunar day" at all. It is not part of YHVH's moon cycle? Anyway, she is from NW Montana and is studying the Tribes, stones and their constellations, does she know Violet Moss?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shalom2Uall on February 19, 2009 at 4:30pm: Cindy didn't write this article, someone else did. & it is acurate. She posted it to her page. I don't know about the other comments U mentioned. U will need to take that up with her,; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jody on February 21, 2009 at 8:28pm: Shalom, Oh, sorry Rebecca. I didn't realize she was regurgitating someone else's opinion and theories. Personally, I disagree with the suppositions made and the lack of continueity, as well as the disclusion of the "Lunar day" entirely!! (I guess the author didn't know what to do with that so they just ignored it) Anyway, there are many, besides my dh and myself, who count differently than that and have studied and practiced for many years. We are a growing assembly, with monthly gatherings and studies. Which doesn't of course make us all knowing, but we continue to seek Sciptural evidence for not only the understanding we hold but also examine others understandings. So I guess we can simply say that aritcle is "in yours and Cindys humble opinion." Of which we will have to "agree to disagree" (I hate that cliche. I think it is unScriptural.); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dinah on February 21, 2009 at 9:25pm: Jody,

...gettimg a little bad tempered "Jody"? since when is that scriptural? I don't think we should be bashing anyone but edifying!!!

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching

But encourage one another daily as long as you see the day approaching...scripture admonishes!!!

Scripture also says to test the spirits because not all are from Adonai...

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

the Spirit you are bringing here is not from Adonai!!!

You seem to be consistently bringing others down...if others are searching we as believers should be helping each other along as we grow from glory to glory - not "debating" to get our point across!!! If you read any of the articles you would see that they are scriptural - where is your scriptural support???? And why exactly are you a part of these discusssions?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jody on February 23, 2009 at 2:02pm: Shalom, Thank you Cindy for your explanation. The reason "agreeing to disagree" is unScriptural, is because we are suppossed to be ready to defend our faith. Obviously the cliche if you have two Jews in a room you will have 3 opinions is also true. Being at different places in our growth and understanding, at varying degrees of understanding we will not all "agree". But the point is, by "agreeing to disagree" we are meerly being blown to and fro by varying winds of doctrine. We can understand something differently, but that does not make us both right. We are simply being "nice" which comes from the Council of Nicea who were famous for their compromise!
And Dinah, I am not getting "bad tempered" as you say. I simply do not agree when someone states boldly "it is acurate" as if they are all knowing. Which by the way I do not do. I simply state what I understand and how I understand it. There is no compromise when you learn new truth and gain new light, as long as you are willing to change. This "place" on the path has neither come lightly, nor has it been easy. There has been much sacrifice and difficulty. Many beliefs that I once held dear had to be shattered and replaced with new light. We must all be willing to examine our understandings in the light of the Word. But I have not seen that happen in this instance. So I apologize if anyone was offended. Unfortunately some people cannot disuss topics without getting demanding in their opinions and theories feeling they are the "only" truth. Shalom; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shalom2Uall on February 23, 2009 at 3:48pm: I didn't meant to come accross all-knowing, if I have, I am sorry. I am not all knowing, There is a lot more I need to learn or even relearn. From what I have studied so far, from Scriptural evidence & refs, ( I am also trying to look up the actual Hebrew for back up too, for the real meaning of words b/c some English words can look or appear to have the same meaning or mean the same thing, but have a different Hebrew word and meaning). I do this to have a better understanding also, to find out what it is really saying with a Hebrew translation to get the more accurate understanding behind the English words. From my studies so far-what I see presently is- that the Sabbath falls on the 7th 14th etc. I also prayed about this a lot and put a lot of effort into this study. If I am wrong, Yahweh will show me and I will change willingly to adjust to the right day for keeping Sabbath.(Right now I am all about change to become more like Yeshua and to follow all His commandments.

I will be leaving Ohio, to be with a family in another state & I planning on my life changing there as well (with the goal to walk in more obedience to Yahweh) This is a godly family, who are also lunar Sabbath keepers with a great deal of spirtual insight who I know I will learn a great deal from) So I know my way of thinking is going to be challenged , & change. I am open to this change for walking in the truth. This is what I want, + I will get the oppurtunity to serve this family & I am really excited about it.

I am sorry for using the phrase "IT IS ACURATE" to come across that I am right and U are wrong. I could be wrong. U could be right. But as of now, I am not seeing the Sabbath fall on the 8th day, etc. That could change.

Many Blessings; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jody on February 26, 2009 at 2:08pm: Shalom, Here is the latest report for the 12th month, for anyone who may be interested.

New Moon Report
February 2009
Twelfth Biblical Month

On Thursday February 26, 2009 the new moon was first sighted from
Jerusalem by Nehemia Gordon at 17:40 and then a few seconds later by
Rilla Auzolat, Johan Schutte, and Anayahu Newman.

The days of Purim will begin this year on March 11th at sunset and
continue until March 13th at sunset. This corresponds to the 14th and
15th days of the Twelfth biblical month.

Rosh Chodesh Sameach!
Happy New Moon!

Nehemia Gordon
Jerusalem, Israel; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spitfire on March 3, 2009 at 10:49pm: OK, now I'm confused. If Purim is to be from 3-11-09 to 3-13-09 according to your post, why does everything on the web and the calendars all say it starts at sundown 3-9-09? I googled 'purim dates 2009' and the entire first page of entries show it starts at sundown 3-9-09...I would hate to be celebrating the wrong days! How can we know which dates are correct? Thank you for clarifying for me. shalom, joie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Celia on March 5, 2009 at 11:26am: I'm new to all this, but it is my understanding that these dates are based on estimates (from astronomy calculations). This was needed by the Jews back when all of them were kicked out of Israel after 70 A.D. and could no longer observe the moon, personally in Israel, nor disperse the information to the rest of their fellow Jews in other lands.

So they have relied on this calculations as their best efforts to determine when the new moon would occur. The Rabbi's have continued with this mathematical method (tradition), however now that they have been back in the land for the past 60 years, some feel we should go back to actual visual sighting as described in the bible (however there is lots disagreement even in this method for what constitutes a new moon and how to count the days. Some people also say you should sight the moon in your own town, some say it is a new month only when it is seen in Israel.

So most Jews and, I think, most Messianics still go by the estimates (and that is why you can see charts when all the feasts will occur for the next 10 years or more). But there is a growing number of folks who want to go by a month by month view of the moon and let God set the times and Feasts, as He sees fit, every month. The only problem with that is that there is still arguing (and I think there always has been) over what a New Moon is and how to count the days. I, personally look forward to when Messiah returns, and we can all know for sure the correct days, and celebrate with each other and Him in perfect Unity and Harmony.

Celia; ▶ Reply to This