• How Do You Determine the Start of the Weekly Sabbath?
• What is considered a New Moon?
• What is considered a New Year?
• If the Law Goes Out from Zion, Shouldn't the Moon Only Be Sighted Within the Land of Israel?

How Do You Determine the Start of the Weekly Sabbath?

The weekly Sabbath, as described in the Bible, begins at twilight on the sixth day (Friday) and ends at twilight on the seventh day (Saturday). This understanding comes from Genesis 1:5, where a day is defined as having "evening and morning," starting with the evening twilight when the stars become visible, marking the division between day and night.

Twilight is significant because it transitions the day into the night, aligning with the Biblical account in Genesis 1:14, where God ordained the sun, moon, and stars to "divide the day from the night." The appearance of stars in the sky signals the beginning of the new day, making twilight the appropriate time to commence the Sabbath.

Leviticus 23:32 reinforces this understanding, instructing that the Sabbath should be observed "from evening to evening." By emphasizing the role of twilight and the visible celestial signs, this approach adheres closely to the natural markers established in scripture. In summary, the weekly Sabbath begins at twilight on Friday, when stars mark the transition into the seventh day, and ends at twilight on Saturday, aligning with God’s ordained signs in the heavens.

What is considered a New Moon?

In the context of Biblical timekeeping, the New Moon is often associated with the first visible crescent of the moon as observed from the earth, marking the start of a new month. This interpretation aligns with scriptural references that emphasize observation over calculation. The term chodesh, commonly used for "new moon" in Hebrew, is derived from the root meaning "renewal" or "newness," highlighting the moon's renewal phase.

Unlike the modern astronomical definition of the New Moon, which refers to the moment the moon is entirely dark and aligned between the Earth and the Sun, the Biblical approach focuses on the moon's first observable light. This is significant in scripture for setting appointed times and festivals, as outlined in passages like Psalm 104:19, which states, "He appointed the moon for seasons." In summary, the New Moon in a Biblical sense is observed when the first crescent of the moon becomes visible in the sky, serving as a natural marker for the beginning of a new month in God's ordained calendar.

What is Considered a New Year?

In the Biblical context, the new year begins in the spring, marked by the month of Aviv (also known as Nisan). This is established in Exodus 12:2, where God instructs Moses and Aaron: "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." The term Aviv refers to the ripening of barley, indicating that the new year is tied to agricultural and natural cycles. The beginning of the year is also closely connected to the sighting of the new moon, which marks the first day of the new month. Together, the ripeness of the barley and the appearance of the first crescent of the moon determine the start of the Biblical year. This ensures the year aligns with God’s natural calendar and agricultural signs.

In summary, the Biblical new year begins with the month of Aviv in spring, determined by the first visible crescent of the moon and the readiness of the barley crop, reflecting a system rooted in observation of God’s creation.

If the Law Goes Out from Zion, Shouldn't the Moon Only Be Sighted Within the Land of Israel?

The idea that the moon should only be sighted within the land of Israel stems from the belief that Zion, as the spiritual center, is the source of God’s law and instruction (Isaiah 2:3). While the land of Israel holds great significance in Biblical observance, the purpose of God’s celestial signs—such as the moon—is for all humanity, as stated in 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."

Psalm 104:19 also emphasizes that "He appointed the moon for seasons," indicating that the moon serves as a global timepiece for determining God’s appointed times. Its visibility is not restricted to a single geographic location but is meant to guide all of God’s people wherever they are. Historical evidence suggests that while the Sanhedrin in Israel confirmed the new moon for the Hebrew calendar, the observation itself was not limited to Israel but relied on multiple witnesses.