CHODESH - NEW MOON

Petra Hadžidaova
Sep 21
4 min read

“Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.

Leviticus 23: 24 (NIV)

INTRODUCTION

Rosh Hashanah is a two-day Jewish holiday based on the biblical day of rest commanded to take place on the first day of the seventh month and commemorated by the blasting of the trumpets. It ushers in the Days of Awe, dedicated to repentance, and is the only Holiday that begins on the New Moon. The Hebrew word for New Moon is Chodesh and means to renew, rebuild, and repair. It points to the Hebrew new moon beginning when the first sliver of light shows after complete darkness, giving the message of hope for more light to come.

ROSH HASHANAH

It is upon us again. Rosh Hashanah is here. The only festival that lasts for two days in Israel, as it does outside.

A Holiday gratifying to the taste buds, although perhaps not as healthy for our teeth. It is considered the Jewish New Year, though Biblically, the new year was always celebrated right before Passover. (2)

The celebration is highlighted by the blowing of the shofar on both days in the morning, and is known for round challah bread (stuffed with raisins), apples dipped in honey, and pomegranates. (3)

It ushers us into the Days of Awe, the period for repentance, and in general is a time for prayer, self-reflection, and t'shuvah (repentance). (2)

A DAY OF REST

Rosh Hashanah is based on a biblical day of rest commissioned by God to commence on the first day of the seventh month, called Tishrei (Leviticus 23: 24; NIV).

“Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.

It is a Holy convocation meant to be commemorated by trumpet blasts, no work, and a food offering. An offering given at the Temple that now does not stand, and the offering is not necessary because of Yeshua fulfilling it all.

HEBREW NEW MOON AND THE HEBREW WORD CHODESH

All biblical feasts begin on a certain phase of the moon, holding a deep message behind it. Rosh Hashanah is the only holiday that begins on the new moon. So color me shocked when today I realized the new moon begins today in the evening, or rather on the 22nd since it is past sunset. (4)

As did many, I caught myself wondering why it is being celebrated on the 22nd of September after sunset and not today after sunset? After some digging, I happened upon some information on the Hebrew New Moon and its close connection with the Hebrew word for New Moon.

The Hebrew New Moon is calculated slightly differently from an Astronomical New Moon. In astronomy, the new moon is when the moon is directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light from reaching Earth. The Hebrew word for New Moon Chodesh, is rooted in the word Chadesh, and means to renew, rebuild, and repair. It points to the Hebrew new moon beginning when the first sliver of light shows after complete darkness, giving the message of hope for more light to come, in other words, beginning at the New Moon Waning Crescent. (4)

Rosh Hashanah falls on the day after the New Moon, and since a new day begins on the previous day at sunset, the Rosh Hashanah seder will be after sunset on the 22nd of September 2025. (5)

YESHUA, OUR HOPE

Yeshua is our hope. He is the one who redeemed us back to God. He restored to us the fellowship that was lost after the exile from Eden. The message He brought was one of good news as stated in Luke 4: 18-19 (NIV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4: 18-19 (NIV)

He has restored it all.

CONCLUSION

The Lord commanded ancient Israelites to observe His feasts. On the first day of the seventh month, He told His people to have a day of rest and to blow the trumpets. Today, Israel celebrates Rosh Hashanah on this day, or rather, they span the Holiday over the first two days. It ushers us into the Days of Awe, dedicated to repentance and self-reflection. It is the only Feast that begins on the New Moon. The Hebrew word for New Moon, Chodesh, means to renew, rebuild, and repair. It points to the Hebrew new moon beginning when the first sliver of light shows after complete darkness, giving the message of hope for more light to come. And that light came in the form of the only Begotten Son, Yeshua HaMaschiach. The light of the world.

Application

Dear Abba, I pray that you bless me and my family with a brand new beginning, and hope for the years to come. Let Your light shine upon us and the whole world. In the end, let your will be done.