The New Year
Four New Years—Judgments—New Moon—Witnesses—Evidence—Samaritans—Spreading the News—Beth Yangzek—Examining Witnesses—Rabban Gamaliel's Plan of the Phases of the Moon—Rabbi Joshua—Sanhedrin—Cornets and Trumpets—Intention—The Serpent of Brass—Jerusalem and Jamnia—Blessings—Texts of Scripture—How the Trumpets are to be Blown.
Chapter I
1. There are four new years. The first of Nisan[279] is a new year for kings and for festivals.[280] The first of Elul[281] is a new year for the tithing of cattle; but R. Eleazar and R. Simeon say, “it is on the first of Tishri.”[282] The first of Tishri is a new year for civil years, for years of release, and for jubilees, also for planting of trees[283] and herbs. The first of Sebat is a new year for (the tithing of) trees according to the school of Shammai, but the school of Hillel say, “on its fifteenth.”
2. The world is judged at four periods: at the passover, for the growth of corn; at Pentecost, for the fruit of trees; at new year's day, when all human beings pass before Him like lambs, as is said, “He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works”;[284] and at the feast of tabernacles, judgment is given for the rains.
3. Messengers went forth (from Jerusalem) in six months: in Nisan for the passover; in Ab[285] for the fast; in Elul for the new year; in Tishri for the regulation of the feasts; in Kislev[286] for the dedication; in Adar[287] for the feast of lots; and also in Iyar[288] during the existence of the Temple for the little passover.
4. For two months[289] they may profane the Sabbath, for Nisan and for Tishri, because in them the messengers went forth to Syria, and in them they regulated the feasts. And during the existence of the Temple they might profane it in all the months for the regulation of the offerings.
5. If the moon[290] appeared high and clear, or did not appear high and clear, the witnesses may profane the Sabbath on account of it. R. José says, “if it appeared high and clear, they may not profane the Sabbath on account of it.”