NEOMENIA (Neomynia). — From Greek νέος = new and μήνη = moon. It is the new moon (Hebrew *hōdhes*, in the Latin Bible translated as *kalendae*). The observation of the new moon is of fundamental importance for the fixing of the calendar (v.), which in all peoples is originally determined by the phases of the moon (v.).
Among the ancient Hebrews, the beginning of the month was established not by astronomical calculations but by the appearance of the first crescent moon and was greeted with the sounding of trumpets (Num. 10:10), during the celebration of special sacrifices, more abundant than those of the Sabbath, equal to those for Passover and for the feast of Weeks (Pentecost), namely two young bulls, one ram, seven yearling lambs and one goat for sin (Num. 28:11-15; Flavius Josephus, *Antiquitates Judaicae*, III, 10, 1). There was no abstention from work, but the day was felt to be festive (rejoicing, Hos. 2:13; banquets, 1 Sam. 20:5, 24; devotional gatherings, Is. 1:13). At first it lasted two days (1 Sam. 20:27-34), the last of the preceding month and the first of the following month; Horace’s phrase “tricesima sabata” (*Satires*, I, 9, 69) refers precisely to the new moon. The feast of the neomenia remained always alive in Israel even after the exile and after the cultural reform that diminished the importance of the Sabbath (Ez. 40:1), also to avoid the appeal to pagan practices used among neighboring peoples. Ezekiel always receives the word of Jahweh on the occasion of the neomenia (Ez. 26:1; 29:17; 31:1; 33:1).
The most solemn of the neomeniae was and is that of the month of Tishri (beginning of the civil year, *rōsh hā-shānāh*), which was announced by a fire lit on the summit of the Mount of Olives and proclaimed throughout the land by the sound of the horn (*shōphār*) and was characterized by a solemn sabbatical rest. Even in present-day Judaism, the new moon is a day of expiation and praise and is considered festive within the family. On the eighth day of the month, in places where the cultural tradition persists, the blessing of the moon is sung outdoors with torches, gazing at it and making three bows toward II.
Expressive of the devotional significance of the neomenia is the prayer recited on that day, in which one prays to Jahweh to grant for the new month blessing, joy, gladness, salvation and consolation, forgiveness of sins and expiation of faults; an end to all misfortunes, the beginning and principle of the redemption of souls, since He chose from all nations His people Israel to whom He established the statutes of the heads of the months.