Greetings:
From Devorah Gordon’s report: “The New Moon was sighted this evening from: * Jerusalem at 7:59pm by Devorah Gordon, Hadar, Chaya, and Sara Heiney.”
It was sighted also from areas not far from Jerusalem, but as by the ancient paths, the sighting has to be from the area of Jerusalem, inside Jerusalem or just next to Jerusalem, like Rechavia. Devorah was in Jerusalem. It seems it was a clear night.
Devorah wrote: “As the days in the Biblical calendar are from sunset to sunset, Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the month) begins when the crescent New Moon has bee sighted and continues until the following evening. Rosh Chodesh is a celebratory day (Numbers 10:10; Hosea 2:22, ) which is traditionally commemorated by blowing the shofar (Numbers 10:10; Psalm 81:4, having a festive meal, I Samuel 20:4, 24, and worshipping at Beit HaMikdash (Temple) – Isaiah 66:23, Ezekiel 46:1-3, with a special sacrifice – Numbers 28:11-15, II Chronicles 2:3, Ezra 3:4-5, Ezekiel45:17, Ezekiel 46:6).
Shalom! Yedidah – August 5, 2024 2:18 CDT