Relying On The Karaite Calendar
Many of us (including Shomrei Brit) find ourselves subscribing to the Karaite understanding of the Biblical calendar. And we also find ourselves relying on the Karaites in Israel to tell us when the new moon has arrived. This is just a word of caution. I know that the Karaites have been mistaken in the past. For this I have no particular criticism as any of us is subject to mistake. However, recently the Karaites have had a change of mind as to their halakah related to the siting of the moon. Their traditional position (and the position I personally believe to be proper) is that the new moon is not recognized until it is actually seen. This may seem obvious, but when you understand their new position, you will recognize the difficulty.
The new understanding by the Karaites is based on a scientific approach to the siting. If the moon is theoretically visible, then they will recognize the new moon. Their view of it being theoretically visible is based on what percentage of the moon's face is illuminated along with the duration of it being above the horizon past sundown. So, even if clouds obstruct the moon and it is not actually sited, they may recognize the new moon.
I understand the struggle here. Do we ignore the science that we have in favor of the whims of weather? But as folks who are trying to live as Biblically as we can in the galut, I am personally unwilling to go there. I've spent too much time in the past arguing calendar issues. I've sworn off of that path. So, if you are inclined toward the new Karaite position, more power to you. For now, my family and I will stick to the actual visible siting as our standard.
I recommend to you another resource for understanding the Biblical new moon. The Israeli New Moon Society is a group with a rabbinic understanding. They are observing the new moons in preparation for a renewed sanhedrin. Check them out.
Below is the text of Nehemia Gordon's announcement for the new moon of Tishrei. Having read my material above, you will recognize that they intend to recognize the new month, regardless of the actual siting of the moon.
The new understanding by the Karaites is based on a scientific approach to the siting. If the moon is theoretically visible, then they will recognize the new moon. Their view of it being theoretically visible is based on what percentage of the moon's face is illuminated along with the duration of it being above the horizon past sundown. So, even if clouds obstruct the moon and it is not actually sited, they may recognize the new moon.
I understand the struggle here. Do we ignore the science that we have in favor of the whims of weather? But as folks who are trying to live as Biblically as we can in the galut, I am personally unwilling to go there. I've spent too much time in the past arguing calendar issues. I've sworn off of that path. So, if you are inclined toward the new Karaite position, more power to you. For now, my family and I will stick to the actual visible siting as our standard.
I recommend to you another resource for understanding the Biblical new moon. The Israeli New Moon Society is a group with a rabbinic understanding. They are observing the new moons in preparation for a renewed sanhedrin. Check them out.
Below is the text of Nehemia Gordon's announcement for the new moon of Tishrei. Having read my material above, you will recognize that they intend to recognize the new month, regardless of the actual siting of the moon.
Karaite Korner Newsletter #306
Upcoming Holiday of Yom Teruah
The new moon is expected to be visible on Thursday night September 13,
2007 from Israel. Based on modern new moon visibility criteria the
moon will not be visibility from Israel on the previous evening (21
minutes lagtime and 1.26% visibility). Therefore, the holiday of Yom
Teruah will begin this Thursday night September 13 at sunset and
continue for 24 hours until Friday night (Sep 14) at sunset. For more
information on the Gregorian dates of the upcoming biblical holidays
please see:
http://www.karaite-korner.org/ holiday_dates. shtml
For more information on the holiday of Yom Teruah please see:
http://www.karaite-korner.org/ yom_teruah. shtml
Mo'adim Le-Simchah!
Happy Appointed Times!
Nehemia Gordon
Jerusalem, Israel
Labels: Moedim
posted by Bill at 8:22:00 AM
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