Rosh Chodesh and the Greeks
It seems a strange mitzvah to oppose.

by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple

There is a tradition that amongst the ways the Greeks attacked Judaism was to seek to eradicate Kiddush HaChodesh, the determination of the new moon. Looked at in isolation it seems a strange mitzvah to oppose. To target Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur or Pesach, to attempt to abolish Shabbat and Kashrut - this might have been the more obvious way to go. But Kiddush HaChodesh? Surely it is one of the least essential Jewish practices.

The Greeks knew what they were doing. It always seems to happen with anti-Semites that the aspect of Judaism they ridicule and attack is unfortunately well chosen. Kiddush HaChodesh is an example. It is a practice on which hangs the whole of the Jewish calendar and, hence, the whole pattern of Jewish observance. Jews who lose touch with the calendar lose their Judaism. A life without Jewish events loses Jewish identity.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch put it positively. "The catechism of the Jew," he said, "consists of his calendar."

The dates a Jew holds sacred show you what that Jew believes in. Rosh HaShanah means the belief in Creation and a Creator. Yom Kippur means personal responsibility for one's deeds. Sukkot is Divine protection. Pesach is freedom for every human being. Shavu'ot is moral law. Without the calendar there is no Judaism.

Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple AO RFD is Emeritus Rabbi of the Great Synagogue, Sydney. He is now retired and lives in Jerusalem, where he spends his time writing, delivering shiurim, and editing books for Targum Press. He also writes articles for various publications, including Hamodia.

Rabbi Apple's new book, a lavishly-illustrated history of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, is a lively story that links up with Jewish and Australian history. Don't miss out on your copy!