The document discusses differing views on when the lunar month begins - at the conjunction or sighting of the first crescent moon. It notes problems with views that the month begins and ends on the day of conjunction, as this would result in months of 30-31 days rather than the required 29-30. It also presents evidence that the month historically ended at conjunction, and proposes a "bookend model" using both conjunction and crescent sightings to accurately determine the first day of the month.

1. The Hebrew Calendar Issue THE QUESTION : Does the lunar month begin at the conjunction or the sighting of the first crescent moon?

3. The Conjunction looks like this

5. 1 ST Waxing Crescent 6/13/2010 at 8:05PM 6 min after sunset!

10. Let us start with some foundational understanding on Astronomy

14. If you look directly across from the Full Moon you find both the Ending and the Beginning Point of the moons lunar cycle. This is called the Astronomical NEW MOON . This cycle completes between 29 and 30 solar days which averages 29.53 each month.

15. When the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and all 3 are lined up, this is called the Conjunction , because two celestial bodies are conjoining at their closest points. There are 28 Moonrises and Moonsets during this complete cycle (4 sets of 7).

16. When the “true” Full Moon is completely 100% FULL of light, just like the conjunction when the moon appears dark, it only lasts for a moment, although it seems to last much longer. This happens on average, on the 14 th and 15 th solar day, on the lunar calendar.

17. It takes the Moon an average of 29.53 solar days, to circle the earth from conjunction to conjunction with the Sun ( synodic period ). From the Moon’s viewpoint with the Stars, it only takes 27.32 solar days to return to the point it started( sidereal period ).

18. Synodic and Sidereal Period of Moon Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLhxF6cnUoQ

19. The moment the moon moves OFF the conjunction, a crescent immediately starts to form. This waxing moon cannot be seen from earth as it rises and sets with the sun for up to 18 hours without modern infrared cameras because of the suns brightness.

20. The 1 st solar day the Conjunction happens on does not affect the calendar immediately because that day must finish its 24 hours at sundown. The following solar day is recorded as the 1 st day on the lunar calendar, unless the Conjunction happens “ after ” sunset.

21. The Hebrew lunar calendar’s timing is set by Israel’s time clock. If the Conjunction happens after sunset Israeli time, then an extra day is added to the calendar. Amazingly when this happens it is always on the 29 th , so the 30 th day is added to the lunar calendar.

22. The Conjunction is not to be confused with a lunar eclipse. This takes place when the Full Moon is on the opposite side of the earth and passes through the earth’s shadow in perfect alignment and the earth’s shadow blocks out the moon for several minutes.

23. When the Conjunction is lined up perfectly on the ecliptic plane a solar eclipse is caused during the day, when what we call a “Dark Moon” occurs blocking out the sunlight during the day by casting its shadowy foot print on parts the earth, but not the whole earth.

24. During the Conjunction the moon appears to be in darkness but the reason the moon cannot be seen from earth for up to 36 hours is because it is hidden by the brightness of the sun, as it rises and sets in unison with the sun during the course of up to 3 solar days.

25. NASA put on an Extreme Lunar Crescent Contest in 2007 and this was one of Martin Elsasser winning pictures taken in Germany just over 4 hours after the Miracle of the Conjunction.

26. The pictures were taken on a mountain in Austria and this is the special tracking equipment and infrared camera Martin used to take the award winning pictures in 2007.

27. In 2008 Martin set a world record in Munich Germany by taking pictures minutes before the Conjunction. This is the new special tracking equipment and baffle system, infrared camera he used.

28. Martin’s infrared picture taken minutes before the Conjunction just before the lunar month comes to an end . It is at the moment of the Conjunction on the Feast of Trumpets that the Messiah will return, raising the dead and catching up those who remain, with Him.

29. Martin was delayed taking pictures immediately after the Conjunction due to clouds. According to ancient historian's at the moment of the Conjunction the lunar month comes to an end.

30. Martin took this 44 minutes after the Conjunction. The New Moon Crescent actually forms moments after the Conjunction. If this were to take place after sunset, Israel time, an addition day would be added to the calendar before the 1 st day could be declared.

31. The Problems with Conjunctionist and Crescentist Lunar Calendars

32. Lets Identify the Puzzle Pieces

33. Lets Identify the Puzzle Pieces

34. Lets Identify the Puzzle Pieces

35. Lets Identify the Puzzle Pieces

54. If sight alone was the way Israel set their calendar up, then what did they do during the spring and winter rains when the sky remained cloudy for months?

55. Depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion you follow, nightfall is defined in the Jewish Talmud as being " the end of sunset " and occurs anytime from 20 min. to 1 hour after sunset , depending on your geographic location when 3 medium size stars are seen, and twilight (dusk) when 2 medium stars can be seen.

56. The Bookend Model uses the sighting of the first crescent as a marker to close out the first day of the new month. Does this look like this day has ended according to Hebrew reckoning of time?

72. Below is a portion of the 2010 Bookend Model Calendar showing if the 1 st day of the month is started correctly then Passover , in the Spring , will fall on the Full Moon , on the 14 th just as Philo indicates. Notice also, how the Full Moon comes and goes on the Karaite Calendar and falls late on the Conjunctionist Calendar.

73. Again, from the 2010 Bookend Model Calendar, if the 1 st day of the new month starts correctly notice the timing of the Full Moon falls on the 1 st day of the fall Feast of Tabernacles. Also notice again how the Conjunctionist 15 th falls early and the Karaite calendar falls late , two days after the Full Moon. ( all dates were taken from Karaite web site )

81. The Pagan History of the Crescent Moon

84. Ur of the Chaldees was so devoted to the moon-god that it was sometimes called Nannar in tablets from that time period. A temple of the moon-god was excavated in Ur by Sir Leonard Woolley. He dug up many examples of moon-worship that are now displayed in the British Museum. Notice the crescent moon .

85. The pre-Islamic moon worshippers had used the “ crescent ” sighting for their first day of the month, and the Islamic Arabs continue in this practice. The three daughters, Al-Lat , Al-Uzza , and Manat are sometimes depicted together with Allah the moon deity on the left. You have got to ask the logical question , “ would Satan lead us in a path that Yahuwah commands us in Torah ? ”

86. Allah with Crescent Moon on his chest. While they worshipped 360 gods at the Kabah in Mecca, the moon-god was their chief deity. Mecca was in fact built as a shrine for the moon-god who is always symbolized by the Crescent Moon . This is what made Mecca the most sacred site of Arabian paganism.

87. How easy has it been for pagans to fall into the worship of the Crescent moon and to give it honor as the first day of the month? The Israelites were to give the crescent moon no such place of honor. But if it actually marked the first day, it would have been a temptation to do so and follow after the lust of the eyes. Deut 4:19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them ... NKJV