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THe Jewes reckon their Moneths, according to the Revolution of the Moon: so that every Moneth contains 29 daies, and the third part of a day: and every New-Moon is the Begin∣ning of a moneth.
2. Heretofore in Ancient times, they were used to send forth two, out of the Sanhe∣drim, that is to say, the Judges of Jerusa∣lem, to be Witnesses of the New Moon's Appearance: which as soon as they had discovered, they presently returned, and gave notice thereof to the rest of the Judges; who immediatly appointed, and published that day to be, Caput Mensis, the Head, or Beginning of the Moneth: and in this manner did they Order the businesse, for the finding out the Times, that all their Feastivals were to be kept at. But now since the destruction of the Temple, it is done by Computation; and there is Yearly a Kalendar, or Monethly Alma∣nack made, and Printed, by which they may find out the Age of the Moon, toge∣ther with the time of its Change, and the four Quarters, with all the Feastival daies throughout the Yeer, and all other the like things. And they Now set down in their Kalendars, the Feastival daies of the Christians also, for the better Ordering of their businesse, and Affairs, wherein they
have to deal with Them.
3. Their Caput Mensis, which some∣times is two daies together, that is to say, the End of One Moneth, and the Begin∣ing of the Next, is a Feastival Time with them. as it is commanded, Num. 10. ver. 10. Also in the day of your gladnesse, and in your solemn daies, and in the Beginnings of your Moneths, ye shall blow with the Trumpets over your Burnt-Offerings, &c. and also be∣cause there was then a New Sacrifice to be Offered: as is enjoyned in the 28. Chap. ver. 11. And in the beginnings of your Moneths, ye shall offer a Burnt-Offering unto the Lord; Two Young Bullocks, and One Ram, &c. But yet it is Lawful, on these Daies, to do any manner of Work, or Bu∣sinesse: Onely the Women use to abstain from working, on these daies. The So∣lemnitie of these Feasts is shewed, chiefly in Feeding more Plentifully, and being more Frolick at their Meat.
4. At the time of Prayers, there is no∣tice given to all, that That day is the Be∣ginning of the Moneth: and so they say
certain Psalmes, from the 113. unto the 118. Then do they take Out the Book of the Law; and the Lesson is read by Four persons. After this they adde the Mu∣saph; wherein they make mention of the Sacrifice, that was wont to be offered up∣on that day.
5. The next Sabbath Eve, after the Change of the Moon; or else, the next Evening after the New Moon hath first appeared, they all meet together, and say a Laudatorie Prayer to God, who hath created the Planers, and that renew∣eth the Light of the Moon: and leaping uptowards Heaven, they pray that they may be defended from their Enemies, re∣peating that Verse out of Exod. cap. 15. Fear and Dread shall fall upon them, &c. and they commemorated the Prophet David: and so saluting each other, they depart, each man to his several home.
6. The Names of the Moneths are these, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tisri, Hassuan, Kisleu, Tebeth, Schebath,
Adar, Nisan, Jiar, Sivan; Tamuz, Ab, Elul: answering to our Moneths, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, Aprill, May, June, July, August: beginning to reckon them, from Tisri, that is, September: as we shall shew hereafter more fully, Chap. 5. when we come to speak of their Caput Anni, or Beginning of the Year.
7. Now that they may make the Solar, and Lunar Year Equal; every Revoluti∣on of Nineteen Years, they make seven to consist of thirteen Moneths; that is to say, every second, or third Year, one: and this they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Meubar, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Schanah Meubereth, Annus In∣tercalaris, or a Leap-Year: and they make the moneth Adar, which falls betwixt our February, and March, to be Double, the First Adar, and the Second Adar; and this Later they call, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Veadar.