How does Stewarton Bible School (SBS) set up the calendar?
8.1 Conjunction Times
Our first step is to determine the 1st day of each month in the year. We do this by consulting computer-produced Phases of the Moon charts supplied by the Science Research Council, Royal Greenwich Observatory,
Herstmoneux Castle, Hailsham, Sussex, UK. From these charts we find out the date and time of the astronomical new moon, the conjunction. In the calendar chart SBS produces we use the following abbreviations:
8.2 First New Moonrise and Moonset Times
Our next step is to find out the date and the
time (in JST) of the first moonrise and moonset at Jerusalem,
AFTER the conjunction. This information is also
obtainable at a fee from Greenwich Observatory.
8.3 Likely First Sighting
We them endevour to determine when that first new moon is likely to be seen with the naked eye from Jerusalem.
The first moonrise at Jerusalem after a conjunction takes
place in the morning at about sunrise. However the new moon is
not visible to the naked eye on this first morning because it
is too young. But is 'likely to be seen' for the
first time just after sunset on the evening of the same day -
if it is more than 14.5 hours old. If and when the moon is
sighted, that evening (at sunset) the new month will begin. Days,
as we learned previously, all begin and end at sunset.
MORNING SIGHTINGS of the New Moon
If the moon's age is less than 14.5 hours and it is not seen
on that first evening, it may be looked for at its second rising
on the next morning when it will be over 24 hours old. Concerning
morning sightings of the new moon I quote from the Westminster
Dictionary of the Bible, article Moon, page 407.
"According to the Talmud, the Sanhedrin assembled seven
times a year early in the morning of the 30th day of the month.
Watchman were stationed on the heights about Jerusalem to watch
for the new moon and report it as soon as seen. When the evidence
of its appearance was deemed sufficient, the Sanhedrin pronounced
the word 'McKuddash' (consecrated) and the day became the
first of the new month, leaving 29 days for the preceding month.
If fogs or clouds prevented the moon from being discerned, the
day was reckoned as the 30th."
8.4 The Beginnings of Months
After allowing at least 24 hours for an evening or morning first
sighting of the new moon, we then make a list of the new moonrise/moonset times and the starting dates of several months. See Appendix A
8.5 New Years Day
From this list of starting dates, New Year's day (1st Abib) is
selected. See our answer to Question 2 as to how
we decide on Abib's new moon.
8.6 Blank Calendar Chart
Then on a blank calendar chart (See Appendix B) we enter the 1st day of each of the 12 months: making sure that all dates match
the correct days of the week. For example in 1994 the 1st Abib was 14th
March. This happened to be a Monday; so in 1994 Abib began with
a Monday. The 1st day of Zif (the second month) was Tuesday 12/4/94.
This left Abib with 29 days. Had the 1st Zif been a Wednesday,
Abib would have had 30 days. This process is continued till all
12 months are completed. Some months will have 29 days and others
30. Sacred calendar months cannot have 28 or 31 days.
8.7 Determining The Feast Days.
Once the blank calendar chart is filled in for the whole year,
we then count to the Almighty's Feast and Fast days as follows:
Notes:
1) The Passover Service (communion) is held in the evening which
begins the week of Unleavened Bread. This week is often referred
to as the Passover week.
2) If the 50 day count to Pentecost is made from the 'morrow
after' the weekly Sabbath, then Pentecost will always
fall on a Sunday.
Yahweh's Feasts are sacred days on which no work should be
done. They are eternal memorials of man's salvation which
is made possible by Yeshua's sacrifice on Calvary. Failure
to observe the Almighty's festivals is a serious sin. For further
information see The Feast Days of the God of Israel.
