SHABBATH HACHODESH (2025)

This coming Sabbath should be Shabbat Hachodesh, the Sabbath which falls each year on or before Rosh Chodesh Aviv – the New Moon of Green Ears. It is used as a time to review the laws of the Pesach (Passover) and prepare for it. It is also a reminder of the imminence of that Rosh Chodesh which YHWH calls “the beginning of months for you.”

The traditional scripture readings for the day are: Shemoth (Exodus)12:1-20 and Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 45:16-46:18. This portion from the prophets, or “haftarah,” on Shabbat Hachodesh describes the sacrifices and observances which will be required in the future third Temple on that day.

Rosh Chodesh Aviv should begin this year on 3/31/2025 at sunset and continue until the following sunset. That means this year’s Pesach Seder should begin just after sunset on 4/13/2025, with the full day of Chag Hamatzoth being 4/14/2025.

However, we would be remiss in not adding a caveat to that prediction: since this year is very much one of those where the Rosh Chodesh Aviv could be either 3/31/2025 or the following day, and the Rosh Chodesh may not be sighted in Yisrael on the 31st, which would defer Rosh Chodesh Aviv to the 4/1/2025, we could be wrong.

If we have to wait an extra day or month for the festival to begin, so be it – we who are observant will, as the prophets say, “Qaveh al YHWH” – Wait upon YHWH. As it is written,

“And Elohim said, ‘Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and appointed times, and for days and years.’”

In the unlikely event that a new moon is not sighted on 3/31/2025, we will immediately post an update of that on the Min Hazaqen Torah Study Group page to let you know.

In either case, get ready – Passover is soon coming!