Modern Calendar Completely Out of Touch
Our present Gregorian worldly calendar with 12 months of 30, or 31
days each, is not the calendar of the Bible. The Gregorian calendar,
adopted by all Catholic countries in 1582, is a sun-based calendar. It
pays no attention to the new moons as marking the beginning of the
months, although the word month is based on the word moon (from
Old Saxon manoth, meaning of the moon), i.e., the phases of the
moon. The Hebrew word khodesh, or chodesh (No. 2320 in Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance), is translated either “month” or “new
moon.” Chodesh is from No. 2318, chadash, a prime root meaning to
be new; cause to build, and is translated renew or repair. The sense
or meaning of chodesh must be determined from its usage in the
sentence in the Bible (not to be confused with the Hebrew word,
Qodesh, #6942, which means “holy,” “consecrated,” or “set-apart”).
The new moon appears every 29½ days, which means the new
moon month is either 29 or 30 days in length. The Gregorian
calendar divides the year into 12 months of 30 days each, and adds
a day to every other month to make the year of 365 ¼ days, with a
day added every four years (leap year) for the accumulated extra ¼
days.
The actual new moons thus do not begin the new month in our
secular calendar, but are ignored and fall anywhere within the
month. Some months in our Gregorian calendar have two new
moons!
The Biblical calendar is based on the recurring new moons, with
a lunar year of 354 days. Yahweh established the “lights” in the sky
to be man’s calendar. Notice; “And Elohim said, Let there be lights in the
firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for
signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” Gen. 1:14.
A difference of 11 days exists between our world’s solar
calendar of 365 days and the Bible’s new moon or lunar calendar of
354 days. Because it totally disregards the new moons, the
Gregorian solar calendar is unacceptable in determining Yahweh’s
holy days.
Anciently, and even during the time of the Messiah, the months
and annual holy days were governed by the new moons.
Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua publishes an annual calendar
listing those special dates alerting us to the evenings when we
should seek the visible new moons after sunset. Proper sighting of a
new moon takes a little practice and occasionally is not always
possible because of sky conditions.
How to Look for the New Moon
Tips on Locating the New Moon:
The almanac usually pictures a black circle to indicate the date of
the new moon. The new moon day is hardly ever a guide to see the
new crescent, as the moon must be 20 hours old or more at sunset.
Our yearly calendar shows the evening of each month when the
crescent should be visible within an hour after sunset in the western
sky.
On the night sighting is scheduled, one should seek a high
prominence away from city lights, and look to the setting sun. From
the overhead zenith, look on either side of an imaginary line toward
the setting sun.
On the first night the scimitar-shaped sliver of light will be fairly
close to the horizon, bulging out to the right, with the horns
pointing up or to the left. The moon may be visible for only a short
time the first night. By the time three stars are visible, it is often too
late.
The sightings must be confirmed by two or three witnesses so
that we can be assured of these days. This was the practice at the
time of the Messiah. Those spotting the new moons report to us
so we can confirm the calendar. The two critical new moons in the
spring and fall determine Passover and, in the fall, the day of
Trumpets.
This is a major step in restoring pure worship in anticipation of
Yahshua’s return and setting up His Millennial reign. We know the
new moons will be observed in the Kingdom. Again they will set
the dates worldwide for the observation of Yahweh’s Feast days.
Everyone will be observing the new moons on the first of every
month, just as Israel did in the Biblical calendar.
“And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from
one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith
Yahweh.” Isa. 66:23.
“This is the beginning of months to you.” Ex. 12:2.
from: Biblical vs. Jewish Calendar, By Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua