Friday, March 11, 2005 Shabbat Shalom, The first new moon (chodesh) of the Scriptural year was seen in Jerusalem, Israel and in many areas of the United States. Our experience in Blue Springs, Missouri was that around 5:30PM the sky was completely covered with clouds. Gradually as we approached sunset the sky cleared and the moon was clearly visible in an almost clear sky by 6:30PM. It was a beautiful sight, truly an example of a Passover bowl shaped new moon. There are not many of these in the year but it is a special sight which only happens near the equinox. This occurs because of the position of the sun to the earth's equator. This new moon brings to mind the Scriptures found in Deuteronomy 8:1-5 but most specifically verse 3. Deut 8:3 "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of Yahweh." Please enjoy these pictures and consider sharing your pictures. As reports and pictures are received they will be added to this new moon report online at PaleoTimes.org. 
Ex 12:2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year." The Hebrew for "first month" is "Rosh Chodesh". The Abib barley was confirmed by many different brethren in Israel. Many of those brethren I personally know and trust to be honest stewards of Yahweh's word. There are many dissenting opinions to the declaration of the year by Abib. The confirmation of Abib from Israel like just about any topic based on Scripture causes controversy. Elder Donald Mansager once told a story of a man who was offered goats milk and turned it down. When he was told it is in the Scriptures he desired to have some. We all thirst for Yahweh's word through Messiah Yahshua. That thirst is fed through knowledge and that is why we make the decision to act on knowledge so that the knowledge will not be withheld. We desire to emulate Yahshua seeking Scriptural clarity so that Yahweh sees we are really devoted. This devotion has caused great rifts between brethren, division which I believe Yahweh would have never desired other than to see how one applies His word. We must each be dedicated to Yahweh and redeemed through Messiah Yahshua before we can ever hope to understand Scripture. So I pray brethren for unity even where none is thought possible; that we keep our criticism from becoming personal vengeance. So how do we grow from diversity? We start by sympathizing with our brother to understand their logic looking for Yahweh's spirit in wisdom as he has blessed every man and women in the congregation. That is why I feel it so important study for Yahweh's approval. So I share here with you what I believe the Scriptures say concerning Abib. Abib is called Nisan after the restoration of Israel from Babylon. A helpful tool in studying Scripture is finding the first place a Hebrew word is used. It is important to use the context of a word to help define it because most of the modern definitions for ancient Hebrew is based on historical references. As many of you probably know works like Strong's Exhaustive Concordance are based on definitions found in the Babylonian Talmud in comparison to the context as found in the Hebrew Scripture. It is also based on pronunciations that have been passed down through generations of Hebrews. One simple example is the difference between Aviv and Abib, based on Askenazi and Sephardi Hebrew pronunciations. Since ancient Hebrew is not the same as modern Hebrew it takes a lot of work for Hebrew scholars to build accurate dictionaries and concordances so the context of a word or phrase should always be the deciding factor. As you see in most translations of the Scriptures English biases can cause great mysteries and disparity to occur which might be completely clear to an ancient Hebrew. An ancient Hebrew may have had difficulties conversing with his neighbor because of Hebrew confusion caused by Israel's location central to trade for the middle east. Surrounding cultures had an influence on dialects and interpretations. Modern transportation has changed that somewhat but it is still a central point between Europe, Africa, and Asia and was the center of many battles between competing countries. Today the sons of Ishmael strive to push Israel into the sea taking the land for their children but the land is Yahweh's so the results of these issues has caused a lot of confusion. There are only eight times in the Scriptures that Abib is mentioned the first of which is imperative for understanding why Abib is related to the Barley harvest. Exodus 9:13-35 the seventh plague is delivered against Egypt. Ex 9:31 "The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed (Abib) and the flax was in bloom. 32 The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later." Translated as "headed" in the New International Version we find Abib in Exodus 9:31 related to barley destroyed by the seventh plague. This gives evidence of the grain's maturity because the drier it is the easier it is for it to be dislodged from the head of the stalk. Wild barley that is dropped on the ground is what grows the next year naturally. The barley was hit by hail while it was still on the stalk. The fact that the barley is still on the stalk shows that harvesting of the grain was not complete or possibly had not even commenced yet. Since the hail destroyed the barley it is clear that the barley was close to being ripened but could have had a few weeks yet to finish dehydrating. Barley as it goes through the stages of maturity it goes through a doughy stage in which the shell of the barley is solid and the insides are milky or doughy. During this stage the barley can be roasted and offered as a wave sheaf or a omer offering. Lev 23:14 "You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your Elohim. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live." Reading on in Leviticus 23 we find that from the time that this grain is offered the count to the feast of weeks begins. This Scripture in Leviticus 23 is developed in Deuteronomy 16 where the same day is also called the day that the sickle is first put to the grain. Deut 16:9 "Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. 10 Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to Yahweh your Elohim by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings Yahweh your Elohim has given you." A token of the first grain, which is barley, is offered to Yahweh. Notice that the count as given in Lev. 23 and Deut. 16 are to start from the time when the sickle first cuts the grain; in addition the count is initiated the day when the grain is offered to Yahweh. This limits when the harvest can begin preventing Israel from breaking the law on a large scale and eating the grain before the offering is made. The simplicity of finding parchable grain (barley that can be roasted to make flour) in Israel has allowed the men of Israel to come together for many generations. There is no record of this ever being a problem. For example, Joshua 5, when first entering into the Promised Land Joshua knew when the new grain could be eaten. For example, Israel being taught out of Leviticus 23:14 knew to not eat the new grain until the wave sheaf offering was made. In summary, Abib is sign by which Rosh Chodesh is determined. There is a lot of rhetoric concerning the beginning of the year but it should be done with the love of Messiah. Care should be taken because these decisions are made with a thirst to follow Messiah Yahshua. We do not want to offend Yahweh's children. Much of the confusion is due to the absence from our day of spoken ancient Hebrew. As a result there is a lack of knowledge concerning the definitions of Hebrew terms. A solution to this deficiency is through the context of a word which demonstrates the application of the definition meaning that with each application the word becomes better defined. The application of contextual analysis helps determine the definition of Abib in relation to the barley's growth. New grain was not allowed to be consumed before the wave sheaf offering was made. This started the count to the Feast of Weeks. The first cutting of grain is also the start of the count to the Feast of Weeks. The Feast of Weeks validates that the day that sickle is put to the grain is also the same day that the new grain is offered to Yahweh thus showing the importance of Abib in Yahweh's calendar. I pray that Yahweh blesses the congregation of Yahweh throughout this year. Let Yahweh's spirit guide and keep us on the narrow path that leads to the kingdom of Yahweh. We zealously look forward to the day when Yahshua will return. We remember the sacrifice of Messiah Yahshua through the pattern which he taught to the disciples and pray that this knowledge leads our thoughts and prayers. The sacrifice of giving one's life for another shows the ultimate love. HalleluYah! The moedim dates are as follows: Passover Sacrificed
Pesach - Abib 14 - March 25Wave Sheaf Offering
Yom Omer - Abib 16 - March 27Feast of Unleavened Bread
Chag Matzah - Abib 15-21 - March 26-April 1Feast of Weeks
Chag Shavuot - Yom Omer 50 - May 15Yahweh bless, James A. Meyer Jerusalem, IsraelNew Moon of the Aviv Sighted! On March 11, 2005 the New Moon marking the 1st day of the new biblical year was sighted from Jerusalem. The moon was first sighted at 18:00 by Karl Bloodworth followed by Ruthanne Koch and Glen Cain. The moon was also seen by Nehemia Gordon, Devorah Gordon, Ferenc Illesy, Melekh Ben Ya'aqov, Rivka Michaeli, and Avi Marcus all of whom saw the moon by 18:01. Rosh Hashannah Sameach! (Happy New Year!) Nehemia Gordon TennesseeShalom James; Just wanted to let you know that we saw the new moon tonight at 6:00pm central time in Tennessee.
Joyous New Moon....
Shalom Claude,Pam,Jacob,Naomi,Yahkin & EliYah Sheets family Tampa, FloridaShabbat Shalom. My name is Nuriyahu Ben Yehudah and I'm in Tampa, FL and I saw what "looked" like the New Moon, it was just a bit high in the sky (in my opinion). I've kept track with sighting the new moon for 12 years now and I'm familiar with how they look, this was simply up a wee bit long to me, sort of the length of a 2nd Day moon. But, in the event I'm Wrong, I saw it and Shabbat Shalom from Tampa, FL!!!! Lexington, KentuckySited in Lexington, KY
By Kenneth Newberg
At 7:03 pm Sterling, IllinoisIt is Yahweh's New Year!! with Abib verified and the New Moon spotted, it is now the beginning of a new year!! My family and I saw the New Moon today at about 6:15 pm. It was very cloudy and I had just told Chris that we were not going to be able to see it and that it would be a miracle if we saw it and then within a few seconds we spotted it...Halleluyah! Shalom to all and may our Elohim look down upon us with favor throughout this coming year! HC Little Rock, ArkansasThe new moon was spotted here in Little Rock, AR after sunset on 3/11/05. I don't know what time it was first visible because I had been looking for it then went further up the hill and saw it. It was hidden by pine trees where I was. That was about 6:40 pm. Mary Harrisonville, Missouri I seen the New Moon at 6:31 PM this evening. My location was from Harrisonville, Missouri. With the finding of Abib Barley a few days ago by others. Today is the 1st day of the Scriptural year. Have a nice Shabbat, New Moon day and New Year.
Everett Lee Larned Forsythe, MissouriHello Jim, This email is to report that we, Bob, Jonny, Angie, Chelsea, Kaleb, Matthew, Sarah and Flo all saw the new moon without binoculars or telescope in Forsythe, Mo, on March 11, at 6:22 P.M. There are a few clouds but was very clear where we spotted the moon. Shalom, Flo Saforek Hill Country near Johnson City, TexasHalleluYah! At 6:55 PM Central US Time the new moon of Abib was seen by two observers in the western sky over Hill Country near Johnson City, Texas.. The moon was much smaller that we had anticipated but a definite sliver of light could be clearly seen at the bottom rim or edge of the moon. I rejoice being able to witness the first new moon of the year by which we are commanded to use to calculate the Holy Days of our Elohim! May Yahweh bless and keep all who love Him, Daniel at The Eliyah Message Sand Springs, OklahomaFrom the Brethren in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Happy New Year! The New Moon was viewed by Velma, Brenda, and Arkie Hobbs at 6:45 PM this evening. Shabbat shalom to all. Ahavah in YAHshua,
Arkie & Family Harrisburg, MissouriHello I seen the new moon this evening. at 7:45 right before it went away. Happy Sabbath from Harrisburg , MO. Clayton Hollister, CaliforniaThe new moon was sighted from Hollister, CA at 6:18 PM by Robert & LouAnn Sackett.
Praise Yah and Happy New Year! -Robert Brandon, OregonThe new moon was seen tonight over the Pacific Ocean at 6:25 p.m. PST by Francis S.
Moore and Carolyn L. Beliveau, Bandon Oregon Various LocationsHappy New Year! Elder Glen Cain, Deacon Karl Bloodworth, Nehemia Gordon ( Karaites) and 6 other people sighted the New Moon of the First Month in Jerusalem. Additionally: 4 in Alabama - 8 in Georgia - 5 in Louisiana - So far (8:25 PM est.) Shalom y'all! WebMaster Various LocationsGreetings, James: I saw what I believe to be Ve-Adar, the 13th New Moon of this year, tonight at 6:45 CST. Jacob Miller called earlier. He and his mother, Ruth, saw it at 6:53 EST in Tampa, FL Shalom, have a good Shabbat'
Frank Fayetteville, ArkansasEdward and Flora Hayes saw the new moon at around 7:15 this evening of March 11 in Lincoln, ARK close to Fayetteville, ARK. It was a beautiful sight. Yahweh Bless Ed and Flora Crawfordsville, IndianaWe could not see the crescent, to cloudy. Warren and Sue Smith, Crawfordsville, Ind.
To cloudy in Lebanon Ind. Amber, Mary and Brandon Rogers. Frystown, PennsylvaniaShabbat
Shalom...cloudy in Frystown.
"Mama (Katie) Jay" Reklaw, TexasLast night I sighted the new moon at 6:58 PM in Reklaw Texas.
Gary Beck Sand Springs, OklahomaShalom Brother Jim: Here is my Rosh Qodesh report
The new moon was seen in Sand Springs, Oklahoma by John and Ardiana Dupus, Friday March 11th at 6:28. There were a few whispy clouds but the moon was easily seen without aid of any sort. May Avainu Yahweh bless us all with a healthy and productive new year, B'shem Yahshua, John. Portland, OregonShalom All, Happy 13th New Moon Day. Tammy and I were in Portland, OR and sighted the New Moon tonight. It was very thin but very visible. Ahab, Buzz, Tammy and Family Balata, Castries St. Lucia West IndiesGreetings in the name of Yahshua the Messiah. My wife and I sighted the new moon in Balata, Castries St. Lucia West Indies on the evening of Friday 11th March 2005 @ 6:40 pm. Although it was very cloudy and hazy, Almighty Yahweh allowed us to seethe new moon which commences the beginning of moths ABIB. We had a wonderful service and fellowship amongst the few saints and it was truly a blessing and wonderful evening. Happy new year to all the saints of Yahweh throughout the globe and may we be united in purpose, in love, in spirit until the master's return. Shalom! Your brother in the master's service
Bro Felix Wells Francois | 
