Rosh Chodesh literally means "head of the month," and refers to the first day of the Hebrew lunar month. According to an ancient tradition, the holiday was a reward given to the women of Israel because they refused to surrender their jewelry for the creation of the golden calf (Exodus 32). Because of their righteousness, the women were exempt from working on Rosh Chodesh.
While Rosh Chodesh has taken on a special resonance for many Jewish women, it serves as reminder to all Jews of the rhythm of the Jewish calendar. It is a day on which special blessings are recited during communal and individual prayer. Many Jewish women and synagogues have chosen to revive the ancient tradition and to observe Rosh Chodesh as a day that bears a particular significance for them.
As early as the 1970s, Jewish women have been marking Rosh Chodesh as a time for prayer and study. Women and congregations have formed Rosh Chodesh groups, meeting monthly to observe the new moon, joining in song and prayer. Some of these groups have focused on healing liturgies while others have focused on the study of Torah. Others have focused on liturgies written by women or that speak to women’s experiences. Many groups have been meeting regularly for years and have become a great source of spirituality and strength for their members.
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