The New Moon is the most pivotal date in the Jewish Calendar. Without the New Moon, we could not have any of the Jewish Holidays. All the Jewish Holidays revolve around the date of the New Moon. The New Moon tells us which day is the first of the month. The Bible says: Tehelim / Ps. 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

When the Sanhedrin realized that Constantinius, the "The Caesar", was going to disband the Sanhedrin, one of the most important things they did was to calculate all the New Moons until the year 6,000 of Creation (which corresponds to 2240 C.E.), and made the proper declarations for all of them, and although the system is not perfect is pretty good, but even today it is adviceble to go out your self (if you are in Israel) and see to whether is Rosh Chodesh or not.

The Blessing goes as follow:
"Blessed are you G-d, our G-d, King of the world, that with Your statements (You) created the heavens, and with the breath of your mouth, all the hosts thereof. A statute and time did You place for them, that they should not deviate their circuits. Happy and joyous (are the heavenly spheres) to do the will of their Creator. Worker of truth Whose works are truth, and unto the moon You declared that it should renew (itself), a gloriful crown to those (mankind) born of the womb, as they (mankind) will eventually renew themselves as the moon, and to exalt their Creator for the name of the glory His kingdom. Blessed are You G-d, Who renews the months."

Y We say: Shalom alecem - Peace be with you !
Y We Respond: Alecem shalom - Peace be unto you ! 

Rosh Chodesh is the day from sundown to sundown on the night that the moon is fully shadowed from the sun by the earth. The new lunar month occurs at the moment when the earth is exactly between the moon and the sun. The moon makes an orbit of the earth in 29.53059 days. At the moment of the New Moon just an outline of the moon is visible pointing toward the earth.

The new moon must be sighted and verified by two witnesses. Some months the moon is not visible in Israel on the actual night of it's birth so the Rosh Chodesh sighting date does not agree with the astronomers date for the new moon.

The actual dates of Rosh Chodesh can be observed one of two ways. One could use the dates as defined on The Jewish Calendar. The dates are established by the Rabbis using a special method developed long ago. Or one could use the actual observance dates which depend on conditions.

In Biblical Times the beginning of each month was watched for and, after being verified by two witnesses, the Jewish Priests in Jerusalem would announce it's arrival.

The word was sent afar by a series of signal fires so the entire land - and even beyond - would know. In Rosh Chodesh is to be a time of gathering for the family and community. Shofars are blown. The Hallel (Tehillim - Psalms 113-118) are recited. Tehillim (Psalms) 67, 104, 121, & 150 are often read for Rosh Chodesh

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:22-24 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith HaShem, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith HaShem.

*SEE ALL HOLIDAYS & ITS HEBREW NAMES & DATES*
 

ראש חודש - ברכת החדש - The New Moon & Birchat HaChodesh