Dear Friends,
Since the earliest of times, Judaism has considered the cycles of the moon as a sacred indicator of time. For our ancestors, the lunar cycle was the primary instrument for the calculation of the seasons. They watched the heavens with great care to find guidance for their lives, identify the months of the year and determined the set times for festivals and ritual observances.
With the dawn of each New Moon, indicated by the first sliver of light witnessed after the waning of the moon’s prior cycle, our ancestors would declare the beginning of a new month. The first day of each month was called Rosh Chodesh.
This Friday night happens to be Rosh Chodesh Av (the first day of the Hebrew month of Av). It also happens to be National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!
Join us for a very special Family Shabbat as we welcome Av with ice cream sandwiches at the oneg following services. There may be no sweeter way to celebrate Shabbat and the new moon!
L’Shalom,
Steve