new moon for the 1st biblical month
The new moon for the 1st biblical month is due in this evening. We know this will be the 1st biblical month, as barley in its head (aviv) was found in Israel a few days ago. God commands Israel to observe the month of Aviv as the first of the months (Exo 12:1-2). This is important, because Israel observes Passover at twilight on the 14th day of the 1st month (Lev 23:5). Knowing when the new moon for the 1st biblical month is, sets the calendar for the Lord’s feast days for that entire year.
MoonConnection.com (the site that provides my sidebar real- time moon info and which I have found to be accurate) shows the first sliver appearing on Monday evening April 4th, as does the graphic from Sky and Telescope magazine. It is so low on the horizon, however, that it might not be visible in some places until Tuesday evening. In cases like this, I go by when the new moon is sighted in Israel for determining the date of the 1st of the month. I will receive an email from Israel when they have seen it, and I will post it here.
o4 april 2011 update: I received this email from Israel:
New Moon Report
April 2011
First Biblical Month
On Monday April 4, 2011 the new moon was sighted from Israel. The moon was first sighted from Mount Hezekiah at 7:28 pm by Nehemia Gordon and at 7:29 pm by Yoel Halevi. The moon was also sighted from Ashdod by Magdi Shamuel at 7:40 pm.
A photograph of the moon sighted from Mount Hezekiah in the Eilat Mountains is posted at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=293928&id=371892568628&l=117d55c868
Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread) will begin April 18 at sunset.
Shanah Tovah!
Happy New Year!
Nehemia Gordon
Jerusalem, Israel
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