A Short Compendium of Customs and Laws Pertaining to

Rosh Chodesh and the Blessing on the New Moon

 

1.  The Sabbath prior to the onset of a New Hebrew Month (Rosh Chodesh) is called Shabbat Mevarchim.  It is given that name since on that Sabbath we bless the New Hebrew Month in the synagogue.  We also announce on which day it occurs and whether it lasts one or two days.

 

2.  At the time that we bless the New Hebrew Month, we also bless the congregants and our Torah sages, all according to what is written in the prayer books.

 

3.  Some have the custom to announce the time of the molad (maximum lunar conjunction) before blessing the New Hebrew Month.  Most Sephardic communities do not maintain this custom.

 

4.  All Jewish communities have the custom to stand during the blessing of the New Hebrew Month.

 

5.  It is customary to bless every New Hebrew Month except for Tishrey (the first month of the Hebrew Year that commences with Rosh Hashanah).

 

6.  There is an opinion among the sages that it is not customary to bless the New Hebrew Month of Av (the month of Tisha B’av).  They base their opinion on the verse of Job (ch. 3, verse 6) “Let it not be counted among the months.”  Job cursed the days of his affliction and requested that those days not be counted among the months of the year.  Therefore we should also avoid blessing a Hebrew month that was singled out for Divine retribution.  The majority opinion among the sages is that, on the contrary, blessings can only help to counteract evil decrees. The halacha is therefore to bless the New Hebrew Month of Av.

 

7. Righteous individuals and those who are scrupulous in their observance of the commandments are accustomed to fast on the day prior to the New Hebrew Month.  If the first day of the New Hebrew Month occurs on Friday or on the Sabbath, then the fast is held on Thursday.  Torah scholars, whose learning would be adversely affected by fasting, should not fast.

 

8.  The fast is not held for the New Hebrew Month of Tevet since the day prior to that New Hebrew Month is one of the days of Chanukah.  Some sages are of the opinion that that fast is held on the eve of Chanukah.  Other sages are of the opinion that one is not permitted to fast even on the eve of Chanukah.

 

9.  Both Sephardim and Ashkenazim do not fast on the eve of the New Hebrew Month of Iyar since that fast would occur during the month of Nisan.

 

10. The last day of the previous Hebrew Month is a special time for penitence.  This is evident by our recitation of the sentence “it is a time of atonement for every Jew” during the Musaf (additional offerings) prayer of Rosh Chodesh.  It is therefore customary to recite special repentance and supplication prayers on the eve of the New Hebrew Month before Minchah (Afternoon Prayers).  Some sages are of the opinion that these supplications can also be recited after Minchah.  It is best to act according to the view that these prayers are not said after Minchah.

 

11. Righteous individuals and those who are scrupulous in their observance of the commandments are accustomed to annul any unintentional vows on the eve of the New Hebrew Month.  This is a praiseworthy custom.

 

12.  Some have the custom to light a candle every Rosh Chodesh in the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes (the miracle worker).   While lighting the candle they should recite “May the G-d of Meir answer me” (אלוהא דמאיר ענני) twice.  They should be careful to say only “Meir” and not “Rebbe Meir”.  According to the kaballah, one should be especially diligent in lighting such a candle on Rosh Chodesh Tevet since that day always occurs during Chanukah.

 

13.  It is forbidden to fast on Rosh Chodesh.  Therefore if the anniversary of one’s father’s or mother’s death occurs on that day, the fast should be observed on the day before Rosh Chodesh.

 

14.  One fulfills a commandment by eating a large meal in the honor of Rosh Chodesh.  Some say that these meals merit us long life.

 

15.  We are not obligated to eat bread for the meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh.  Rather it is sufficient to eat just fruit and vegetables.

 

16. The meal in honor of Rosh Chodesh should be eaten during the day.  It is not necessary to have such a meal during the preceding night.

 

17.  The prayer “ya’aleh ve’yavo” is added to the evening, morning, and afternoon shemona esrey of Rosh Chodesh.  If it was omitted inadvertently from the evening shemona esrey, that shemona esrey need not be repeated.  However, if it was omitted from the morning or afternoon shemona esrey, then those shemona esreys must be repeated.

 

18.  One is obligated to add the prayer “ya’aleh ve’yavo” to the evening shemona esrey of Rosh Chodesh even if one prayed right after plag haminchah (which occurs one and a quarter proportional hours before the sunset).  One is not obligated to rectify omitting “ya’aleh ve’yavo” from the evening shemona esrey even if it was omitted from the evening prayer of the second day of Rosh Chodesh.

 

19.  One is obligated to add the prayer “ya’aleh ve’yavo” to the birkat hamazon (grace after meals) during Rosh Chodesh.  However, if it was omitted, one doesn’t have to repeat birkat hamazon.

 

Next