I have been asked a question that I thought I'd address here at my blog. The question was:

I would like to ask you about your usage of the local new moon (in WA) instead of using the new moon in Jerusalem. Why are you preferring the local new moon? Or, have you worked this out already?

We've used the moon sightings at home as a default. As we've learned and grown we've gone from the traditional calendar to the lunar cycle and at first we used the sighting of the moon where we are. It wasn't until recently we realized that the moon sighting in Jerusalem could be different than here. So we've started looking for reports regularly in Jerusalem. But having 7 kids at home we still look for it here. How else do you teach them?

Our current practice, in the last month, is now to listen for the reports of the moon in Jerusalem but still watch for it here. It's tough - we don't live in Jerusalem so we rely on someone else which can be okay but the whole point we're trying to teach is that WE need to know the signs of the times and be always waiting and watching, not relying on someone else to tell us when it's time. Messiah will return and find His bride either waiting and watching with oil in her lamp or sitting around waiting for someone else to tell her when to be ready. So at the moment we're working through the issue of being the one anticipating and watching, working and living. Part of that, right now, includes watching for the new moon and counting the days, most importantly during festival times.

With Jerusalem so far ahead of us it's "not fair" to know when the new moon will be spotted so far ahead of time. It really takes all the anticipation and excitement out of it. It's going to be helpful when the cloudy nights prevent us from seeing anything, and that happens often. But when we CAN look on our own, why should we not?

So as you can see, I'm still torn over this issue. In our congregation many keep the traditional calendar and others keep to the Karaite internet announcements as to when the moon is spotted. I really can't imagine spending evenings not looking and noticing with the kids, and the excitement when someone spots the moon and shares it with everyone else. Even our newest kids are thrilled when they finally spot the tiny sliver of moon. :~) They're starting to get it.

I'm hoping to notice that the new moon will be the same here as in Jerusalem all the time, and when we can't see it we can rely on the "Someone in Jerusalem spotted it and it was confirmed by several others there as well." But knowing what stage of the month we're in by the size and location of the moon is intriguing to us. It's like knowing where we are on His calendar by knowing the signs of our times and how they relate to the indications we've been given in Scripture. It's another practical application with a spiritual lesson and one that I hope the kids all understand and will remember whenever they look up at the moon - "Oh we're this far in the month. I need to be always living and watching for Messiah to return. Come quickly, Master!"

Posted by MoreLittleWilsons

Wow, you've made a good oint about watching the moon for yourself.

In our congregation we use the rabbinical calendar - principally so we can be a witness to the Jews (not that my area has a significant # of Jews). I asked about the Karaite calendar when we first started, this was the answer I was given. I guess they also like that they can plan events.

However, I really like your line of thinking on this, about how it is building our anticipation to wait on the Lord. We haven't really gone out many times to spot the new moon, just once or twice, but I should make it a more regular occurance. I spotted the 1/4 moon during the afternoon yesterday, it signalled to me that we're almost at Sukkot. That's exciting to me.