Rosh Chodesh

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Israel · Judaism

Rosh Chodesh, "head of the month", marks the new moon that begins each month of the Hebrew calendar. When the month before has 30 days, its 30th day is kept as the first day of Rosh Chodesh and the 1st of the new month as the second; otherwise it is one day. The day is marked with the Hallel psalms and an additional Musaf prayer, and in many communities it is a day of special honour for women. The new month of Tishrei is Rosh Hashanah and is not kept as Rosh Chodesh.