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Holidays

Rosh Chodesh

The first day of the Hebrew month, a half-festival that lengthens the prayers without forbidding work or joy.

רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ

roch-hodech

On this page
  1. What changes that day
  2. How communities differ
  3. What it means for an invitation

Rosh Chodesh ("head of the month") is the start of each month in the Hebrew calendar, set by the new moon. The Torah makes it the first commandment given to the people: "this month shall mark for you the beginning of the months" (Exodus 12:2). The Temple marked the day with additional offerings (Numbers 28:11). Rosh Chodesh lasts one or two days: two when the month that is ending has thirty days (its 30th day and the 1st of the next month).

What changes that day

  • In the synagogue, the Torah scroll is taken out: the Mishnah (Megillah 3:6) sets the reading "And on your new moons" (Numbers 28) for Rosh Chodesh, and the Shulchan Arukh (Orach Chayim 423:1) provides for four people called up, with no haftarah.
  • Hallel is said "with skips" (Orach Chayim 422:2). The text records several customs on the blessing over Hallel, which depend on the synagogue.
  • Tachanun is not said: the Shulchan Arukh (131:6) notes that one does not "fall on the face" on Rosh Chodesh, nor at the Mincha service before it.
  • At the end of the meal, "Ya'aleh veyavo" is added to Birkat Hamazon (Orach Chayim 188:7, which also explains how to correct an omission).
  • It is a mitzvah to make the Rosh Chodesh meal a generous one (Orach Chayim 419:1).

Rosh Chodesh is not a festival on which work is forbidden: the Shulchan Arukh (417:1) permits it, and notes that women who refrain from work that day follow "a good custom," adding that where the local custom covers only certain kinds of work, one follows that custom.

How communities differ

  • On Hallel, the Shulchan Arukh (422:2) records both customs, with or without a blessing, and the Rema describes the Ashkenazi custom of his own country. Sephardic and Mizrahi communities follow their own custom: follow what your synagogue does.
  • For women, the custom of limiting certain kinds of work on Rosh Chodesh varies by family and community: ask your rabbi or follow your family's custom.
  • Secular Israeli families: observance varies widely from family to family; for a simcha, it is mostly the synagogue's program that matters.

What it means for an invitation

A simcha that falls on Rosh Chodesh (a weekday bar mitzvah, a brit milah, an engagement) is not restricted for that reason: work is permitted (417:1). What changes is the synagogue program: Hallel, the Torah reading and the omission of Tachanun lengthen the morning service, which can affect the time of the ceremony or the breakfast that follows. Check with your synagogue.

Rosh Chodesh Av is also the start of the Nine Days (see "The Three Weeks"): the Shulchan Arukh (551:2) reduces joy from then on and excludes weddings. Rosh Chodesh Iyar falls during the Omer. If your date is close to one of those two month starts, check it with your rabbi.

Info

One more useful detail: in some months, Rosh Chodesh lasts two days, the first being the 30th of the previous month. For an invitation, keep the exact Hebrew date of the day of the event, not only the month name.

On the invitation

There is nothing to mention on the invitation about Rosh Chodesh. If the ceremony is on a Rosh Chodesh morning, check the timing with the synagogue, which adds Hallel and the Torah reading, and give the exact Hebrew date.

On the same topic

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