New Moons (Rosh-Chodesh)
The Beginning of Months
The new moon marks the start of each biblical month. It is not a minor detail — every appointed time in Scripture depends on knowing when the month begins. Understanding Rosh-Chodesh is foundational to walking in YAHUAH's calendar.
Why New Moons Matter
YAHUAH's appointed times (mo'adim) fall on specific days of the biblical month. Passover is Abib 14. First Fruits is Abib 16. The Feast of Trumpets is the first day of the seventh month. If you do not know when the month starts, you cannot keep any of these times correctly.
The new moon is the anchor of the entire biblical calendar system. It is the mechanism YAHUAH placed in the heavens to mark the months — and He commanded His people to observe it.
"He appointed the moon for seasons (mo'adim)."
Psalm 104:19 — The Hebrew word "mo'adim" is the same word used for YAHUAH's appointed times in Leviticus 23.
What Is a "New Moon"?
In Hebrew, "new moon" is chodesh(חֹדֶשׁ, Strong's H2320), which means "new" or "renewed." It refers to the moment when the moon reappears — the thin sliver of light visible after sunset following the dark phase. This first visible crescent is the biblical marker for the start of a new month.
First Visible Crescent
The thin sliver of light seen with the naked eye after sunset. This is what Adam, Mosheh, and ancient Yashar'el observed — no instruments required.
This is what we observe.
Astronomical Conjunction
The moment the moon passes between the earth and sun (the "dark moon"). Invisible to the naked eye. Requires astronomical calculation to determine.
Not observable as a "sign."
Genesis 1:14 says the luminaries are for "signs"(otot — אֹתֹת). A sign must be visible. The conjunction is invisible. The crescent is the sign you can see — exactly as YAHUAH designed.
Scriptural Evidence for New Moon Observance
New Moons are not optional or secondary — Scripture treats them as significant markers in YAHUAH's calendar alongside Shabbat and the annual feasts.
Commanded Offerings
"At the beginnings of your months you shall bring a burnt offering to YAHUAH: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs in their first year, without blemish."
Numbers 28:11
Trumpets Blown
"Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings."
Numbers 10:10
David & Yahunathan
"And David said to Yahunathan, 'See, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with the sovereign to eat.'"
1 Samuel 20:5
Grouped With Shabbat
"And it shall be from New Moon to New Moon and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me," declares YAHUAH."
Yeshayahu / Isaiah 66:23
Ezekiel's Temple Vision
"The gate of the inner court that faces east is shut the six working days, but on the Sabbath it is opened, and on the day of the New Moon it is opened."
Yechezqel / Ezekiel 46:1
A Shadow of Good Things
"Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of what is to come — but the Body is of Messiah."
Colossians 2:16-17
Note on Colossians 2:16-17: Many use this verse to say the feasts are "done away with." But read it carefully — Sha'ul says these things are (present tense) a shadow of what is to come(future). They still point forward. And he says "let no one judge you" for keeping them — not for abandoning them. The context is believers being judgedfor observing, not for neglecting.
Hebrew Word Study: Chodesh vs. Yerach
חֹדֶשׁ — Chodesh
Strong's H2320
From the root chadash (H2318), meaning "to be new, to renew." Used for both "new moon" and "month" — because in the biblical calendar, the month begins with the renewed moon. The word itself connects the concept of renewal with the lunar cycle.
יָרֵחַ — Yerach
Strong's H3391
The general word for "moon" as a celestial body (also used for a lunation period). When Scripture speaks about the moon's role in timekeeping, it often useschodesh to emphasise the renewal — the new beginning — rather than simply the astronomical body.
תְּקַע — Taqa (to blow)
Strong's H8628
The word used in Psalm 81:3: "Blow the shofar at the new moon (chodesh), at the covering (keseh), for the day of our festival." The term keseh(H3677) means "full moon" or "the appointed time" — showing that both the new moon and the full moon have significance in YAHUAH's appointed calendar.
How We Observe New Moons Today
Without a Temple, we cannot bring the commanded burnt offerings. But observing the new moon as a calendrical marker and a time of gathering is well within our ability and responsibility.
Watch the sky
After sunset near the end of each lunar month, look westward for the first visible crescent. When you see it, the new month has begun at that sunset.
Declare the month
Announce the sighting to your family or fellowship. In ancient Yashar'el, watchmen would report to the Sanhedrin. Today, many communities share sighting reports to confirm the new month together.
Gather and rejoice
Scripture shows new moons were times of feasting (1 Samuel 20:5), worship (Isaiah 66:23), and joy (Numbers 10:10). Have a special meal, pray together, and mark the occasion — even if you are observing alone.
Count the month
Once the new month is established, count forward to know when the appointed times fall (e.g., Pesach on the 14th, Unleavened Bread on the 15th). The feast calendar depends on this count.
Practical Note: Clouds and Geography
What if it's cloudy and you can't see the crescent? What if you live far from Yashar'el? These are real questions. Our approach: if the crescent was not sighted on the 29th evening, default to the 30th evening for the start of the new month — since a biblical month is either 29 or 30 days. This natural maximum ensures we never go past 30 days without starting a new month, even without a sighting.
Many communities also use sighting reports from Yashar'el (the land) as the primary reference point, supplemented by local observation. The goal is always to observe what YAHUAH placed in the heavens, not to rely solely on mathematical prediction — though prediction tools can help you know when to look.
New Moons in the Kingdom to Come
New moon observance is not something that fades away. The prophets describe it continuing in the Messianic kingdom, alongside the weekly Shabbat:
"And it shall be from New Moon to New Moon and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me," declares YAHUAH."
Yeshayahu / Isaiah 66:23
"The gate of the inner court that faces east is shut the six working days, but on the Sabbath it is opened, and on the day of the New Moon it is opened."
Yechezqel / Ezekiel 46:1
"On either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
Revelation 22:2 — "every month" implies ongoing lunar months in the renewed creation.
If new moons are part of worship in the age to come, learning to observe them now is training for the kingdom.
Common Questions
Scripture does not explicitly command cessation of work on every new moon in the way it does for Shabbat. However, some passages suggest reduced activity: Amos 8:5 implies merchants waited for the new moon to pass before trading, and 2 Kings 4:23 groups the new moon with the Sabbath as a time to seek the prophet.
The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah, the first day of the seventh month) is specifically called a Shabbaton — a rest day. Other new moons may have a lighter observance. We encourage you to study the pattern and follow where the RUACH leads.
Genesis 1:14 says the luminaries are for "signs" — you must be able to see a sign. The conjunction is invisible; you cannot observe it without astronomical instruments. The crescent is visible to the naked eye, exactly as YAHUAH designed. Ancient Yashar'el observed visually, and we follow that pattern.
Several websites and groups publish sighting reports from Yashar'el and worldwide. Check our Resource Libraryfor links to reliable new moon watch communities and calendrical tools. We also announce new moons to the Remnant List when they are confirmed.
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