Actualizing Israel every month : the history and development of ḤŌDEŠ ritual in Israelite and Jewish tradition (8th century BCE-200 CE)

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the festival of the new moon in ancient Israel and Judah from approximately the eighth century BCE, through subsequent Jewish history to c. 200 CE. The social significance of the festival remains the principal concern throughout. Chapter 1 begins with an introductory examination and overview of biblical traditions regarding the creation and ordering of the heavenly luminaries by Yahweh and the subsequent implications for our understanding of his role in the ordering of time and calendars, particularly in relation to holy days and festivals, in the worldview of certain biblical authors. Following this the feast of the new moon and its calendrical context is briefly introduced. Previous scholarly work on the feast is also assessed, and finally, the overarching thesis of the work is introduced and the dissertation summarised.