Rosh Chodesh literally means “new month”. As the Jewish people were departing from Egypt, they were told “Ha Chodesh HaZeh H’lachem Rosh Chadashim Ri’Shone Hoo La’chem L’chadshay HaShaNa, The renewal of the moon shall be for you a beginning of new moons, it shall be for you the first among the months of the year” (Exodus 12:2).

Rosh Chodesh has been a part of the Jewish year from the beginning and later became a holiday for women – a gift in response to their admirable behavior during the construction of the Golden Calf. When the Jewish people lost faith while awaiting the return of Moses from the top of Mount Sinai, the Golden Calf was erected. The women were reluctant to give their gold to the creation of this idolatrous object. To honor the women, G-d gave the holiday of Rosh Chodesh to them.

The honoring of the New Month and its celebrations parallels the renewal of the moon each month. We honor the regenerating moon, the new month, and new beginnings. In full observance of Rosh Chodesh, women refrained from work during the holiday, and the day prior to Rosh Chodesh was a time for repentance and prayer.

Today, many women gather once a month to pay tribute to holiday of the new moon. They may light candles and recite the blessing for the new moon. Perhaps, they learn, meditate, or even dance. Each month has a theme associated with it which is often the central focus of the learning that takes place.

The month of Tammuz, for example, occurs on the cusp of summer and its theme is connected to abandonment, renewal, and revitalized faith. It was in the month of Tammuz that Noah sent out doves from ark. The first dove returned with no report of land. Was it the second dove and the olive branch in its mouth that reinstated Noah’s faith in G-d? After trusting G-d enough to build a large Ark in the middle of his “neighborhood”, did Noah really lose faith?

Tammuz was also the month that Moshe descended from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments in his hands. When he saw the Golden Calf that had been built in his absence, he threw down the tablets and broke them. What does this scene tell us about the faith of Moses? If you were a people waiting for the return of your leader, and you thought too much time had passed – how do you think you would feel? After being cared for throughout their entire journey in the desert, how did the Jewish people lose faith? What was it that brought it back again?

During the time of the Second Temple, the wall around Jerusalem was breached in the month of Tammuz. What questions do you ask G-d when your conviction has been taken from you? How do you recover and move forward in life and in relationship with G-d?

Rosh Chodesh is a time for renewal and rededication, and the month of Tammuz is an exceptional month to honor and bring forth new beginnings. If you have not participated in a Rosh Chodesh ceremony, consider joining one in your area or starting one with a group of your friends.