The New Moon: Its Role in Calendrical Observance and Sacred Timings Across Traditions
The observation of the new moon holds significant importance in calendrical calculations and sacred observances across multiple traditions, including Judaism, Islam, and ancient practices preserved in texts like the Kolbrin Bible.
This article examines the role of the new moon in determining festivals, highlights linguistic and mathematical evidence, and provides insights from scriptural sources, avoiding dogmatic interpretations to focus on the universal truths embedded within the texts.
The New Moon in Scriptural Contexts Exodus 12 and the Lunar Cycle
Exodus 12:1-2 states:
"This month shall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you."
The Hebrew word for "month," חֹדֶשׁ (chodesh), originates from חָדַשׁ (chadash), meaning "to renew."
chôdesh, kho'-desh; from H2318; the new moon; by implication, a month:—month(-ly), new moon
From the word חָדַשׁ châdash, khaw-dash'; a primitive root; to be new; causatively, to rebuild:—renew, repair
[חָדַשׁ] verb only Pi. (and Hithp.) renew, repair (in poetry and late) (Late Hebrew id., Phoenician חדש; noun חדש new moon, also in קרתחדשת new-city＝Carthage; Aramaic Tedfo and חַדֵּשׁ; Arabic حَدَثَ be new, Ethiopic ሐደለ፡ I. 2. renew; Sabean החדתֿ, see Os (Levy): ZMG 1865, 204 MordtZMG 1876, 30; Assyrian [adâšu], uddiš, renew, eššu, new, etc. DlW 199 ff.) —
So this word point to something that renew itself and BTW, this is why I don't go by the sun, only moon renew itself.
A new moon is born when it becomes perpendicular between the sun and the earth. At that point, called 'conjunction', the moon is completely invisible to us because all of the sun's radiation is reflected back by the moon and none reaches the earth.
In relation to the sign, the sign on the moon or the phase of the moon indicates the numbers, the numbers 1 - 6 indicate the working days and the first phase indicates the time when the temple gates are set to be closed for worship and the beginning of the working day[Ezekiel 46].
These are the times when those phases will mark the closing of the temple gates.
From the new moon to the first quarter phase of the moon, there is a gap of exactly seven days, and this phase moon 🌗 is an excellent marker that, like a programming language, points to the number seven.
Therefore, wherever we are, if we are able to observe the moon, we will determine the number that the moon reflects through deciphering this programming language, and that is why it is important to match the phases of the moon with the numbers.
This linguistic root ties directly to the lunar cycle, where the new moon represents the renewal of the month. Unlike the crescent moon, which requires observation, the conjunction (when the moon is fully obscured) provides a precise mathematical starting point, as it marks the absolute renewal of the lunar cycle.
This approach aligns with the statement in Psalms 81:4–5, as noted in Talmud Rosh Hashanah 11a, where the shofar is blown "at the covered time of our festival day," indicating Rosh Hashanah as the only festival falling on the new moon, when it is completely hidden.
This interpretation underscores the reliability of conjunction over crescent observation for marking months.
"It was further taught in the baraita:
On Rosh HaShana Joseph came out of prison. The Gemara asks: From where do we derive this?
As it is written: “Sound a shofar at the New Moon, at the covered time of our Festival day. For this is a statute for Israel, a judgment of the God of Jacob” (Psalms 81:4–5). This is a reference to Rosh HaShana, the only Festival that occurs at the time of the New when the moon is covered and cannot be seen."
~ Rosh Hashanah 11a 17
The Talmud recognizes that the covered moon (hidden during conjunction) is the defining feature of the New Moon. This reinforces the point that the beginning of the month must align with conjunction, not the visible crescent.
Scriptural Support for the Conjunction-Based Month
The conjunction model harmonizes with the Bible’s emphasis on divine order and faithful cycles:
Genesis 1:14:
"Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years."
In this verse in Genesis, we understand that the lights in the sky are made to separate night and day and to be for signs, and for the word seasons here we have Hebrew word "moedim", which indicates the feasts that are related to seasons, for days and years which means that the sun, the moon and the stars are used to calculate all of this.
The moon’s role in marking months is tied to its natural cycle, not necessarily its visibility. The renewal process begins at conjunction, making it the logical starting point.
In 1 Samuel 20:5: David says,
“Behold, tomorrow is the new moon.”
This statement suggests a predicted rather than observed event.
Conjunction allows for accurate prediction using calculations, whereas relying on the crescent introduces variability due to weather or visibility conditions.
Numbers 28:11: The new moon offerings are tied to the start of the month, a time that could be reliably calculated. This practice aligns with the conjunction method, as visibility of the crescent is unnecessary for these rituals.
Historical Evidence for Conjunction Calculation
Throughout history, many ancient civilizations relied on conjunction to mark the start of the lunar month:
Babylonians and Mesopotamians:
The Babylonians, who influenced early Jewish calendrical systems, used a combination of observation and prediction, often favoring conjunction as the starting point. Tablets from this period describe methods for calculating the conjunction.
Philo of Alexandria (20 BCE–50 CE):
Philo, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, described the new moon as the time when the moon is “in conjunction with the sun” and invisible. He saw this phase as the natural beginning of the month.
Qumran Community:
The Dead Sea Scrolls include evidence that the Essenes used a solar calendar but recognized the renewal cycle of the moon starting from conjunction.
Logical Arguments for Conjunction over the Crescent
- Universal Observability: Conjunction is a precise, astronomical event that can be calculated anywhere, regardless of weather or geographic location. Crescent observation depends on clear skies, making it unreliable for a globally unified calendar.
- Continuity of Cycles: The moon's renewal at conjunction ensures a consistent 29.53-day cycle. The crescent can appear at different times based on atmospheric conditions, introducing inconsistencies in month length and sabbath alignment.
- Temple Worship and Sabbath Counting: Ezekiel 46:1 describes the temple gates closing during six working days and reopening on the sabbath and new moon. If the crescent were the marker, sabbath counting could be disrupted by delayed visibility, creating liturgical confusion.
Practical Evidence from Phases of the Moon The lunar cycle naturally divides into phases that align with sacred times:
🌑 Conjunction/New Moon:
Marks renewal and the start of the month.
🌗 First Quarter:
Seven days after conjunction, corresponding to the first sabbath.
🌕 Full Moon:
Around the 15th day, coinciding with mid-month feasts.
🌓 Last Quarter:
Another seven-day marker, ending the month.
By counting from conjunction, these phases naturally align with biblical sabbaths and feasts without the variability introduced by crescent observation.
Addressing Crescent Observance Objections
Crescent-based methods introduce practical and theological challenges:
Weather Dependence:
Cloud cover or haze can obscure the crescent, leading to delayed or skipped months. In contrast, conjunction is a reliable astronomical constant.
Unnecessary Waiting:
If the crescent is not seen on the expected evening, observers must arbitrarily declare the month’s start after 30 days. This acknowledgment undermines the need for crescent visibility.
David's Statement:
David’s confidence in knowing the new moon's arrival (1 Samuel 20:5) suggests calculation, as visibility cannot be guaranteed.
Temple Rituals:
The crescent method disrupts sabbath cycles, as new moon days may not align with conjunction-based sabbaths. Conjunction ensures synchronization.
Modern Scientific Support for Conjunction
Astronomy confirms that conjunction is the most consistent marker for the lunar cycle:
The conjunction occurs when the moon, sun, and Earth align, beginning the renewal phase.
The crescent becomes visible 15–18 hours later, varying by location and atmospheric conditions. Ancient astronomers, including the Egyptians and Greeks, recognized conjunction as the true start of the lunar month.
The Lunar Month and the 30-Day Problem
A lunar month averages 29.53 days, meaning months alternate between 29 and 30 days.
Ancient Jewish calendars accounted for this by alternating months or using observations/calculations to determine whether a month should have 29 or 30 days.
Why 30-Day Months Cause Two Covered Moons
In months with 30 days, there are two conjunctions:
Day 1: The moon is covered at the start of the month.
Day 30: The moon is covered again at the end of the month. This happens because the moon's cycle renews every 29.53 days, but rounding up to 30 creates a second covered moon before the next month begins.
Solution for Identifying Months with 30 Days To accurately determine which months have 30 days:
Use Astronomical Calculations: Modern lunar calendars, including those used in astronomy, provide precise timings for conjunctions. These can determine whether a month is 29 or 30 days.
Example: If the next conjunction occurs within 29 days, the current month will have 29 days. If it occurs closer to 30 days, the current month will have 30 days.
Historical Observation Practices:
The Sanhedrin relied on testimony of moon sightings to determine month lengths, but this practice was later replaced by calculation.
The Molad (mean conjunction) was used to predict conjunctions mathematically, ensuring accurate month lengths.
Seasonal Adjustments:
Months were adjusted to keep festivals in their proper seasons. For example, Passover must occur in spring, which occasionally required intercalating a a year with 13th moon cycle.
Josephus on the Full Moon:
Josephus, in his works, describes the timing of feasts in relation to lunar phases, emphasizing the full moon as the midpoint of the month.
Mathematically:
The full moon occurs approximately 14.8 days after the conjunction, making it the center of a 29.53-day lunar cycle.
If the full moon is the 15th day, counting backward confirms the month's beginning at the conjunction.
This mathematical precision strengthens the argument for conjunction as the reliable start of the lunar month.
Conjunction and Opposites:
Conjunction is the "opposite" of the full moon in the lunar cycle.
Full Moon:
Earth is between the sun and moon, making the moon fully illuminated.
Conjunction:
Moon is between Earth and sun, making it completely dark.
This natural opposition supports the idea that months should begin at conjunction.
Phases of the Moon in the Quran Lunar Guidance for Hajj and Festivals
The Quran references the moon's role in timekeeping in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:189:
"They ask you about the new moons. Say, they are measurements of time for the people and for the Hajj."
Linguistic Insights: The Root of "Hilal"
The Arabic word Hilal (هلال), often translated as "crescent moon," originates from the root Hallala (هلل), which conveys meanings such as:
The loud announcement or first pouring of rain.
The starting phase of something.
Lane’s Lexicon also suggests a broader definition, emphasizing new beginnings rather than the visual crescent. This understanding aligns with the conjunction as the unseen yet essential initiation of the lunar cycle.
Ibn Manzur concludes by saying:
وشهر مُسْتَهل بعد شهرٍ ويومٌ بعده يومٌ جَدِيدُ قال أَبو العباس: وسمي الهلالُ هِلالاً لأَن الناس يرفعون أَصواتهم بالإِخبار عنه.[22][22] “
Abu al-Abbas said that the Hilal is named Hilal because the people raise their voices to inform others about it (the new Moon). “
But, had the name Hilal been given to the new Moon due to light in it, then the full Moon had more rights to be called Hilal than the Crescent because it shines more and has more light than the Crescent.
Also if we consider the fact that they call it Hilal even if they don't see it because of the weather conditions, then it is clear that this have nothing to do with the visibility of the moon, but with announcing the beginning of the month.
Meaning of Hajj
Hajj itself, derived from the root حَجَّ (hajj), means "to make a pilgrimage" or "to seek purposefully."
This parallels the Hebrew word חַג (chag), meaning "festival" or "pilgrimage feast," originating from חָגַג (chagag), "to move in a circle" or "celebrate."
Both roots reflect the cyclical nature of time and the communal aspect of sacred gatherings.
This verse does not mandate the crescent moon for Hajj but acknowledges the moon's role in reckoning time.
Surah 10:5: "He is the one who made the sun a radiance and the moon a light and determined its phases so that you may know the number of years and calculation."
This supports the use of the lunar cycle, including conjunctions, for precise calculations.
Moon Phases and Universal Order In Surah Ya-Sin 36:39, the Quran states:
"And the moon, We have ordained for it phases, until it returns like the old date stalk."
This verse emphasizes the moon's phases as part of a divinely ordained system, allowing for precise timekeeping and the organization of religious observances.
The Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch, in the Book of the Luminaries, describes the lunar phases:
The moon completes its cycle in 29.5 days.
The "first day" of the month is when the light begins to reappear after darkness, supporting the conjunction as the start.
"And on the first day, it is called the New Moon because on that day the light rises upon it." (1 Enoch 78:12–13)
Kolbrin Insights on Sacred Timings
The Kolbrin Bible also alludes to lunar phases in guiding sacred rituals. In GLN.2:20 and SLC.2:4, it states:
"Time was set for men so they could be fruitful in their appointed seasons, for the moon gives them guidance in their count."
"The sun marks the days, the moon the months, and the stars guide the years in their courses."
This perspective aligns with using the conjunction, as the most precise marker, to establish the natural and divine order of time.
This reinforces the idea that the moon’s phases, particularly its renewal, serve as universal markers for human activity and divine worship, supporting the conjunction-based approach.
Resolving Discrepancies in Lunar Observations
Consistency in the Conjunction Method By relying on conjunction rather than crescent observation, inconsistencies like multiple "covered moons" in 30-day months are resolved.
The conjunction provides an exact astronomical event, eliminating subjective variability caused by weather or geographic location.
Historical Context and Modern Application The reliance on crescent sighting often introduced errors, as documented in historical sources like the Talmud and by figures like Maimonides, who preferred mathematical calculations for accuracy.
Today, astronomy confirms the conjunction as the most consistent starting point for lunar months.
Conclusion:
The conjunction method for determining the start of lunar months aligns with scriptural evidence, linguistic roots, and mathematical precision.
It is consistent with Josephus' descriptions, the Talmudic interpretation of Psalms, and the Quranic guidance for measuring time.
While traditions vary, the conjunction method offers universal applicability, bridging ancient wisdom with modern understanding.
This approach not only honors the Creator’s design in the heavens but also ensures unity in observance, reflecting the moon's role as a "faithful witness" (Psalms 89:37) to divine order.
References:
- Hebrew Scriptures: Exodus 12:1–2, Ezekiel 46, Psalms 81:4–5
- Quran: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:189, Surah Ya-Sin 36:39
- Book of Enoch 78:12-13
- Talmud Bavli: Rosh Hashanah 11a
- Kolbrin Bible: GLN:2:20 SLC 2:4
- Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews Astronomy:
- NASA Lunar Phases Data
- Lexicons: Strong’s Concordance, Lane’s Arabic Lexicon
