Rosh Chodesh
I have never observed Rosh Chodesh (the new moon), nor did I know much about it until recently. For this celebration, which occurs at the sight of the first crescent moon, a special prayer is said to bless and give thanks to the Creator:
"Praised are you, O L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who created (bara’) the skies with his word, and all heaven’s host with the breath of his mouth. He gave them appointed times and roles, and they never miss their cues, doing their creator’s (konam) bidding with gladness and joy. He is the true creator (po’el) who acts faithfully, and he has told the moon to renew itself. It is a beautiful crown for the people carried by G-d from birth (Israel), who will likewise be renewed in the future in order to proclaim the beauty of their creator (yotsram) for his glorious majesty. Praised are you, O L-rd, who renews new moons."
How did this start and how come I haven't heard much about it? Well, it actually used to be one of the major holidays. It was an important holiday because that is how they knew when to celebrate what. It was a way to measure time. They would light bonfires to signal to the other towns that the new moon had appeared. You can see then, why this holiday was such a big deal back in the day. There would be sacrifices, special gatherings, family celebrations and the shofar would be sounded. There would be no work for the women on that day, since the sages believed that it was the women who refused to give their jewelry to create the golden calf while the men gave theirs up willingly, so the women were honored by the giving of this holiday as their own for not sinning on that day. Also, a celebratory meal would be prepared.
When the counting of the new moon became more advanced and people would know ahead of time when the new moon would arise, the bonfire method died out and Rosh Chodesh became a minor holiday. Today, it isn't really celebrated like it used to. There is only a prayer said on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Chodesh, and the prayer above is sometimes done the Shabbat after Rosh Chodesh, while standing outside looking at the moon.
It is customary to speak this blessing outdoors, looking at the clear moon in the sky, amid the rest of his creation. It's a beautiful and poetic prayer, acknowledging that it is through His will only that time continues, nature renews itself and the seasons change. In the prayer there is even a reminder that like the moon, Israel will one day be spiritually renewed "in order to proclaim the beauty of their creator." That is one prayer I definitely want to offer up, not just for Israel's spiritual renewal, but also for my own. Even as Israel needs to be renewed, so do we all, to remember to praise the L-rd for his creation, which we get to enjoy, and from which we can learn and obtain reminders of His hand in our lives.
In recent years, with the feminist movement, there has been a revival of Rosh Chodesh within Jewish women's circles. I like the idea of reviving the holiday, and having some measure of honoring women, but I think some people have gone overboard on it. Some do some really new-age-sounding prayers and rituals, but there are some which I thought were good, well-rounded ways to bring about the new month.
Along with the traditional prayers, I have found these ideas for celebrating Rosh Chodesh:
I haven't yet tried any of them, but with the next New Moon, I'm going to try some of these and see if I can make it special. My sister will be here visiting me, so just having her here with me would indeed make it a special day.
I hope she'll be up for it!
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EDITED TO ADD: Well, I completely forgot to do it while my sis was around, but the next one is right in the middle of Hannukah, and maybe I'll remember to do something then!
"Praised are you, O L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who created (bara’) the skies with his word, and all heaven’s host with the breath of his mouth. He gave them appointed times and roles, and they never miss their cues, doing their creator’s (konam) bidding with gladness and joy. He is the true creator (po’el) who acts faithfully, and he has told the moon to renew itself. It is a beautiful crown for the people carried by G-d from birth (Israel), who will likewise be renewed in the future in order to proclaim the beauty of their creator (yotsram) for his glorious majesty. Praised are you, O L-rd, who renews new moons."
How did this start and how come I haven't heard much about it? Well, it actually used to be one of the major holidays. It was an important holiday because that is how they knew when to celebrate what. It was a way to measure time. They would light bonfires to signal to the other towns that the new moon had appeared. You can see then, why this holiday was such a big deal back in the day. There would be sacrifices, special gatherings, family celebrations and the shofar would be sounded. There would be no work for the women on that day, since the sages believed that it was the women who refused to give their jewelry to create the golden calf while the men gave theirs up willingly, so the women were honored by the giving of this holiday as their own for not sinning on that day. Also, a celebratory meal would be prepared.
When the counting of the new moon became more advanced and people would know ahead of time when the new moon would arise, the bonfire method died out and Rosh Chodesh became a minor holiday. Today, it isn't really celebrated like it used to. There is only a prayer said on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Chodesh, and the prayer above is sometimes done the Shabbat after Rosh Chodesh, while standing outside looking at the moon.
It is customary to speak this blessing outdoors, looking at the clear moon in the sky, amid the rest of his creation. It's a beautiful and poetic prayer, acknowledging that it is through His will only that time continues, nature renews itself and the seasons change. In the prayer there is even a reminder that like the moon, Israel will one day be spiritually renewed "in order to proclaim the beauty of their creator." That is one prayer I definitely want to offer up, not just for Israel's spiritual renewal, but also for my own. Even as Israel needs to be renewed, so do we all, to remember to praise the L-rd for his creation, which we get to enjoy, and from which we can learn and obtain reminders of His hand in our lives.
In recent years, with the feminist movement, there has been a revival of Rosh Chodesh within Jewish women's circles. I like the idea of reviving the holiday, and having some measure of honoring women, but I think some people have gone overboard on it. Some do some really new-age-sounding prayers and rituals, but there are some which I thought were good, well-rounded ways to bring about the new month.
Along with the traditional prayers, I have found these ideas for celebrating Rosh Chodesh:
- Lighting a candle Erev Rosh Chodesh - the evening of Rosh Chodesh -helps separate the day from the rest of the month, just as lighting Shabbat candles helps separate Shabbat from the rest of the week. Say the following blessing:
Baruch atah Adonai, m'chadesh hachadashim.
Blessed are You, who renews the months. - Another easy thing to do is to phone one or two friends who are aware of Rosh Chodesh and wish them a "Chodesh tov" -a good month.
- As the moon is round, try to serve round food or food in round dishes. This serves as a reminder of the moon, and although the Rosh Chodesh moon is a thin crescent, it is a way to be aware of the moon's phase while cooking. A cake in a round pan, a round loaf of bread, a fresh dish of blueberries, and melon balls in a fruit salad are a few ideas.
- Since Rosh Chodesh is celebrated on the new moon, save new things for that occasion. Wait until Rosh Chodesh to start a new project or wear a new article of clothing. Again, making the decision to wait can serve as a small and private reminder to yourself to be intentional in your spiritual life.
- Reading Proverbs 31, Titus 2:3-5, 1 Timothy 2:9-15, and other such passages which speak about what a woman of faith is like.
- Involve all the little ladies of the house in the activites.
- Look at your month-in-advance calendar and plan out your month.
And my own personal ideas:
I haven't yet tried any of them, but with the next New Moon, I'm going to try some of these and see if I can make it special. My sister will be here visiting me, so just having her here with me would indeed make it a special day.
I hope she'll be up for it!
---
EDITED TO ADD: Well, I completely forgot to do it while my sis was around, but the next one is right in the middle of Hannukah, and maybe I'll remember to do something then!