Rosh Chodesh Calendar

Rosh Chodesh (ראש חודש), literally "head of the month," marks the beginning of each new month in the Hebrew calendar. Also spelled Rosh Hodesh, it is one of the oldest observances in Jewish tradition, dating back to biblical times when the new moon was declared by witnesses before the Sanhedrin.

Today, Rosh Chodesh is observed with special prayers including partial Hallel, the Musaf service, and a Torah reading from Numbers 28:1-15 describing the new moon offerings. Some communities also observe it as a semi-holiday with festive meals.

The Molad (מולד) — the calculated moment of the new moon — is announced in synagogue on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh (called Shabbat Mevarchim). The molad is expressed with precision down to chalakim (חלקים), where each chelek equals 3⅓ seconds. There are 1,080 chalakim in an hour.

When the previous month has 30 days, Rosh Chodesh is observed for two days — the 30th of the previous month and the 1st of the new month. When the previous month has 29 days, Rosh Chodesh is one day only.

Use our Rosh Chodesh calendar above to find exact dates and molad times for each Hebrew month. Click any month to see the precise molad calculation including hours, minutes, and chalakim, adjusted for your location.