New Moon

A day of rejoicing and feasting (Hos 2:11), on which one refrained from work (Amos 8:5). It marked the beginning of the month with family meals (I Sam 20:5-6), visits to the prophet (II Kgs 4:23) and assemblies at the Temple (Is 1:13-15). On the New Moon special sacrifices were offered, their number being even greater than those for the Sabbath (Num 28:9-15).

According to Numbers 10:10 and Psalms 81:3, this holiday was proclaimed by the blowing of trumpets. In future days, both the New Moon and the Sabbath will be a time when all people will congregate to worship the one God (Is 66:23). Ezra read the Law to the people in Jerusalem at one of the New Moon holidays (Neh 8:2).