There are already so many holidays on the Jewish calendar, but did you know that the beginning of every month is also a minor holiday? The Jewish calendar is based on the moon rather than the sun. In the days when the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, two witnesses would come to the Sanhedrin, or the head court, and testify that they saw the first sliver of the new moon. Once these witnesses were examined for their reliability, the new month was declared, and the beginning of the new month, or Rosh Chodesh (literarlly “the head of the month”) was celebrated with special prayers, sacrifices and celebrations.
Today, we no longer have the Holy Temple and cannot bring sacrifices, but many people commemorate Rosh Chodesh now like a minor holiday. When the month ends with 30 days, Rosh Chodesh begins on the 30th and ends at the end of the 1s. Many celebrate this two-day period by eating a bit better than usual (adding meat, for instance, if one usually eats meat only on Shabbat or holidays), wearing nicer clothes, and having parties or get-togethers. It is a tradition for women to refrain from housework somewhat on Rosh Chodesh (many women do not do laundry, for instance. It is the one time during the month I have an excuse not to tackle that huge pile in my hamper). The reason for this is that women did not participate in the sin of the Golden Calf, and are rewarded for their loyalty by having a “break” on Rosh Chodesh.
There are 12 months in the Jewish calendar. The number “12” has special significance; Jacob had 12 sons, and each month corresponds to a different tribe that was descended from the each one of Jacob’s sons. The months of the Jewish calendar are: Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet, Shevat, Adar, Nissan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz Av and Elul.