August 31, 2026: Take 2 New moon sighting upcoming

Once again good morning,

Rishon LeZion got a nice little rain last night. It is located near some of our traditionally early fields which at this time are still being used to finish up growing and harvesting their summer crops. They will be turned, prepped, and planted sometime in early October for wheat and barley (winter crops).

It is always nice to get these reminders of what is ahead. We are only about 2 weeks away to the start of the 7th Biblical month and thus the festivals of the 7th month. Such a special time of year.

For those of you who look to sightings from Israel there is a small opportunity for sighting the new moon after sunset on September 12th which is the end of this lunar cycles 29th day. It only has a 34 minute lag time which means meteorological conditions must be near perfect and ones eye sight good as well. The only opportunity to actually see it will be just before it sets behind the horizon on the Mediterranean Sea. And then one will need a vantage point which will allow him or her to be looking down from the ridge line running along the Judean Hills where the sea is in view. Unfortunately most do not do so.

The individual who used to follow this protocol is no longer allowed to report his observations publicly for they normally contradict the halachic times followed and imposed by the rulers of Judaism.

Then again, maybe someone can convince Devorah to go out and look that evening. With her responsibilities as a care giver she is not as freed up as she used to be. That is understandable to those of us who have been in that role in our lives.

We will use the technology we have at our disposal to look that evening and report back to you all.

Our peace we give to you!