## Rosh Hashanah Daf 24a

###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:1
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:1)

גִּירֵי קָא מְשַׁדְּיָיא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
that the sun **is shooting arrows** at those who deny its divinity, using the rainbow as its bow. The concave side of the rainbow always faces away from the sun, so that it does not look like a bow held by the sun.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:2
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:2)

כַּמָּה הָיָה גָּבוֹהַּ, וּלְאַיִן הָיָה נוֹטֶה כּוּ׳. תָּנָא חֲדָא: לִצְפוֹנָהּ — דְּבָרָיו קַיָּימִין, לִדְרוֹמָהּ — לֹא אָמַר כְּלוּם. וְהָתַנְיָא אִיפְּכָא: לִדְרוֹמָהּ — דְּבָרָיו קַיָּימִין, לִצְפוֹנָהּ — לֹא אָמַר כְּלוּם.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The mishna taught that the examination of the witnesses included the following questions: **How high was** the moon over the horizon, **and in which** direction **did it tilt? It was taught** in **one** *baraita*: If the witness testifies that he saw the moon **to the north** of the sun, **his statement is valid.** However, if he says that he saw it **to its south, he has not said anything** of significance, as this is impossible. The Gemara asks: **Isn’t the opposite taught** in a different *baraita*: If he testifies that he saw the moon **to the south** of the sun, **his statement is valid.** However, if he says he saw it **to its north, he has not said anything.**


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:3
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:3)

לָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן, בִּימוֹת הַחַמָּה. כָּאן, בִּימוֹת הַגְּשָׁמִים.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara answers: This is **not difficult. Here,** in the second *baraita* mentioned above, it is referring **to the summer,** when the moon is to the south of the sun; **there,** in the first *baraita* mentioned above, it is referring **to the rainy season,** when the moon is to the north of the sun.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:4
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:4)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אֶחָד אוֹמֵר גָּבוֹהַּ שְׁתֵּי מַרְדְּעוֹת, וְאֶחָד אוֹמֵר שָׁלֹשׁ — עֵדוּתָן קַיֶּימֶת. אֶחָד אוֹמֵר שָׁלֹשׁ, וְאֶחָד אוֹמֵר חָמֵשׁ — עֵדוּתָן בְּטֵילָה. אֲבָל מִצְטָרְפִין לְעֵדוּת אַחֶרֶת.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**The Sages taught** in a *baraita*: If **one** witness **says** that he saw the moon **two plow handles high** above the horizon, **and** the other **one** says it was **three** plow handles high, **their testimony is valid,** as a small discrepancy of this kind is reasonable. However, if **one says** that he saw the moon **three** plow handles above the horizon, **and the** other **one says** it was **five** plow handles high, **their testimony is void,** as that discrepancy is unacceptable. **However,** this does not mean that the witnesses themselves are disqualified, as either of them may **join with another testimony,** i.e., he may combine his account with that of another witness who testifies likewise.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:5
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:5)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: רְאִינוּהוּ בְּמַיִם, רְאִינוּהוּ בַּעֲשָׁשִׁית, רְאִינוּהוּ בֶּעָבִים — אֵין מְעִידִין עָלָיו. חֶצְיוֹ בְּמַיִם, חֶצְיוֹ בֶּעָבִים, חֶצְיוֹ בַּעֲשָׁשִׁית — אֵין מְעִידִין עָלָיו.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**The Sages taught** in another *baraita* that if the witnesses say: We did not actually see the moon, but **we saw it** reflected **in the water,** or **we saw it** reflected **in** a glass **lantern,** or **we saw it through** thin **clouds, they** may **not testify about it,** as only a direct sighting of the moon is acceptable. If they say: We saw **half of** the moon’s reflection **in the water,** or we saw **half of it through the clouds,** or we saw **half of it in a lantern, they** still may **not testify about it.**


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:6
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:6)

הַשְׁתָּא כּוּלּוֹ אָמְרַתְּ לָא, חֶצְיוֹ מִבַּעְיָא?! אֶלָּא הָכִי קָאָמַר: חֶצְיוֹ בְּמַיִם חֶצְיוֹ בָּרָקִיעַ, חֶצְיוֹ בֶּעָבִים חֶצְיוֹ בָּרָקִיעַ, חֶצְיוֹ בַּעֲשָׁשִׁית חֶצְיוֹ בָּרָקִיעַ — אֵין מְעִידִין.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara analyzes this *baraita*: **Now,** if when one sees **the entire** moon in this manner, **you said** that this is **not** valid testimony, **is it necessary** to teach that one may not testify when he sees only **half of it? Rather, this is what** the *baraita* **is saying:** If the witnesses saw **half of** the moon’s reflection **in water** and **half of it** directly **in the sky,** or **half of it through the clouds** and **half of it in the sky,** or **half of it in a lantern** and **half of it in the sky,** although they saw half of the moon directly, **they** may **not testify** about it until they see the entire moon in the sky.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:7
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:7)

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: רְאִינוּהוּ וְשׁוּב לֹא רְאִינוּהוּ — אֵין מְעִידִין עָלָיו. כׇּל הָכִי חָזוּ לֵהּ וְאָזְלִי?!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**The Sages taught** in another *baraita* that if the witnesses say: One moment **we saw** the new moon, **but we did not see it again, they** may **not testify about it.** The Gemara asks: **Must they go on watching it to such** an extent, i.e., why should they have to see it for a long period of time?


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:8
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:8)

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, הָכִי קָאָמַר: רְאִינוּהוּ מֵאֵלֵינוּ, וְשַׁבְנוּ לִרְאוֹתוֹ מִדַּעְתֵּנוּ, וְלֹא רְאִינוּהוּ — אֵין מְעִידִין עָלָיו, מַאי טַעְמָא — אֵימוֹר כּוֹבִיתָא דְעֵיבָא בְּעָלְמָא הוּא דְּחָזֵי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Abaye said** that **this is what** the *baraita* **is saying:** If the witnesses say: **We saw** the moon **on our own** accord, i.e., by chance, without looking for it, **and** then **we returned to look for it on purpose,** to deliver precise testimony about it, **but we did not see it** again, **they** may **not testify about it. What is the reason?** Because one can **say** that the first time it was **merely a small round** white **cloud that they saw,** which they mistook for the moon, and that is why when they looked for it again they could not find it.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:9
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:9)

**מַתְנִי׳** רֹאשׁ בֵּית דִּין אוֹמֵר: ״מְקוּדָּשׁ״, וְכׇל הָעָם עוֹנִין אַחֲרָיו: ״מְקוּדָּשׁ מְקוּדָּשׁ״. בֵּין שֶׁנִּרְאָה בִּזְמַנּוֹ, בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאָה בִּזְמַנּוֹ — מְקַדְּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**MISHNA:** After the witnesses have been examined and their testimony accepted, **the head of the court says:** It is **sanctified. And all the people respond after him:** It is **sanctified;** it is **sanctified. Whether** the moon **was seen at its** anticipated **time,** on the thirtieth day of the previous month, **or whether** it **was not seen at its** anticipated **time,** in which case witnesses are not necessary to establish the following day as the New Moon, the court **sanctifies it** and formally proclaims the day as the New Moon.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:10
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:10)

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק אוֹמֵר: אִם לֹא נִרְאָה בִּזְמַנּוֹ — אֵין מְקַדְּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁכְּבָר קִידְּשׁוּהוּ שָׁמַיִם.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Tzadok, says: If** the new moon **was not seen at its** anticipated **time,** the court **does not sanctify** the New Moon on the following day, **as** the celestial court in **Heaven has already sanctified it,** precluding the need for the additional sanctification by the earthly court.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:11
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:11)

**גְּמָ׳** רֹאשׁ בֵּית דִּין וְכוּ׳. מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי? אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר גַּמְדָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן שָׁאוּל אָמַר רַבִּי: אָמַר קְרָא ״וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶת מוֹעֲדֵי ה׳״ — מִכָּאן שֶׁרֹאשׁ בֵּית דִּין אוֹמֵר ״מְקוּדָּשׁ״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**GEMARA:** The mishna teaches that **the head of the court** says: It is sanctified. The Gemara asks: **From where are these matters,** that the court must sanctify the New Moon, derived? **Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Gamda said** that **Rabbi Yosei ben Shaul said** that **Rabbi** Yehuda HaNasi **said** that **the verse states: “And Moses declared** to the children of Israel **the appointed seasons of the Lord”** (Leviticus 23:44). **From here** it is derived **that the head of the court says:** It is **sanctified,** as it is evident from the verse that Moses, whose status was equivalent to that of the head of the Great Sanhedrin, declared the appointed times of the Festivals and New Moons in a formal manner.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:12
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:12)

וְכׇל הָעָם עוֹנִין אַחֲרָיו ״מְקוּדָּשׁ מְקוּדָּשׁ״. מְנָלַן? אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: אָמַר קְרָא ״אֲשֶׁר תִּקְרְאוּ אוֹתָם״, קְרִי בֵּיהּ אַתֶּם. רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר: ״אֵלֶּה הֵם מוֹעֲדֵי״, הֵם יֹאמְרוּ מוֹעֲדֵי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The mishna further teaches that after the head of the court says: It is sanctified, **all the people respond after him:** It is **sanctified;** it is **sanctified.** The Gemara asks: **From where do we** derive this? **Rav Pappa said** that **the verse states: “Which you shall proclaim them [*otam*]** to be sacred convocations” (Leviticus 23:2). Instead of *otam*, **read into** the verse: **You [*atem*],** as though the verse stated: Which you shall proclaim, you. This superfluous word you teaches that the month must be proclaimed not only by the head of the court, but also by you, the people. **Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said** that it is derived from the phrase: **“These are [*hem*] My appointed seasons”** (Leviticus 23:2). The term *hem* can also mean: They, which indicates that **they,** the people, **should** likewise **say** and announce **My appointed seasons.**


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:13
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:13)

״מְקוּדָּשׁ מְקוּדָּשׁ״ תְּרֵי זִימְנֵי לְמָה לִי? דִּכְתִיב: ״מִקְרָאֵי קוֹדֶשׁ״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara further asks: **Why do I** need the people to declare: It is **sanctified;** it is **sanctified, twice?** The Gemara answers that the reason is **that it is written: “Sacred convocations”** (Leviticus 23:2) in the plural, which indicates that they must announce it twice.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:14
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:14)

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק אוֹמֵר: אִם לֹא נִרְאָה בִּזְמַנּוֹ — אֵין מְקַדְּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ. תַּנְיָא, פְּלֵימוֹ אוֹמֵר: בִּזְמַנּוֹ — אֵין מְקַדְּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנּוֹ — מְקַדְּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ The mishna taught that **Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Tzadok, says: If** the new moon **was not seen at its** anticipated **time,** the court **does not sanctify** the New Moon on the following day. The Gemara cites other opinions in this regard: **It is taught** in a *baraita* that the Sage **Palaimo says:** If the new moon was seen **at its** anticipated **time,** the court **does not sanctify** the New Moon, as the new moon appeared as expected and there is no need for any special sanctification. However, if the new moon was seen **not at its** anticipated **time,** the court must **sanctify** the New Moon.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:15
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:15)

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ אֵין מְקַדְּשִׁין אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּם אֵת שְׁנַת הַחֲמִשִּׁים״ — שָׁנִים אַתָּה מְקַדֵּשׁ, וְאִי אַתָּה מְקַדֵּשׁ חֳדָשִׁים. אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The *baraita* continues: **Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, says: In either case,** the court **does not sanctify** the New Moon formally, **as it is stated: “And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year”** (Leviticus 25:10), from which it is derived: **You** must formally **sanctify years** in court, **but you do not** have to formally **sanctify months,** as they are sanctified automatically by Heaven. Rather, it is enough merely to announce to the public that a certain day was established as the New Moon. **Rabbi Yehuda said** that **Shmuel said: The *halakha* is in accordance with** the opinion of **Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Tzadok,** that if the new moon was seen at its anticipated time, the court sanctifies the new month; however, if it was not seen at its anticipated time, they do not sanctify it.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:16
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:16)

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, אַף אֲנַן נָמֵי תְּנֵינָא: רָאוּהוּ בֵּית דִּין וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל, נֶחְקְרוּ הָעֵדִים וְלֹא הִסְפִּיקוּ לוֹמַר ״מְקוּדָּשׁ״ עַד שֶׁחָשֵׁיכָה — הֲרֵי זֶה מְעוּבָּר. מְעוּבָּר — אִין, מְקוּדָּשׁ — לָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Abaye said: We, too, learn** in a mishna: If **the court and all of the Jewish people saw** the new moon, and **the witnesses were interrogated, but** the court **did not manage to say: Sanctified, before nightfall,** the previous month **is** rendered **a full,** thirty-day month. This indicates that **full, yes;** i.e., in this case, it is necessary to extend the previous month. However, **sanctified, no;** there is no need to formally sanctify the month, as the New Moon does not occur on its anticipated date in this case.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:17
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:17)

מְעוּבָּר אִיצְטְרִיכָא לֵיהּ, סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ אָמֵינָא: הוֹאִיל וְרָאוּהוּ בֵּית דִּין וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אִיפַּרְסְמָא וְלָא לִיעְבְּרוּהּ, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara rejects this argument: There is no proof from here, as **it was necessary for** the mishna to mention that the month is rendered **a full,** thirty-day month. The reason is that it might **enter your mind to say** that **since the court and the entire Jewish people saw** the new moon, **it has become public** knowledge **and** therefore there is **no** need **to** render the previous month a **full,** thirty-day month. Consequently, the mishna **teaches us** that even in this case the previous month must be extended. Nevertheless, it is still possible that the New Moon must be formally sanctified on the following day.


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:18
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:18)

**מַתְנִי׳** דְּמוּת צוּרוֹת לְבָנָה הָיוּ לוֹ לְרַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל בְּטַבְלָא וּבְכוֹתֶל בַּעֲלִיָּיתוֹ, שֶׁבָּהֶן מַרְאֶה אֶת הַהֶדְיוֹטוֹת, וְאוֹמֵר: הֲכָזֶה רָאִיתָ אוֹ כָּזֶה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**MISHNA:** **Rabban Gamliel had** a diagram of the different **forms of the moon** drawn **on a tablet** that hung **on the wall of his attic, which he would show to the laymen** who came to testify about the new moon but were unable to describe adequately what they had seen. **And he** would **say** to them: **Did you see** a form **like this or like this?**


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:19
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:19)

**גְּמָ׳** וּמִי שְׁרֵי? וְהָכְתִיב: ״לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן אִתִּי״ — לֹא תַּעֲשׂוּן כִּדְמוּת שַׁמָּשַׁיי.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**GEMARA:** The Gemara asks: **And is it permitted** to create these types of forms? **Isn’t it written: “You shall not make with Me** gods of silver, or gods of gold” (Exodus 20:20), which is interpreted as teaching: **You shall not make images of My attendants,** i.e., those celestial bodies that were created to serve God, including the sun and the moon?


###### Rosh Hashanah 24a:20
[Rosh Hashanah 24a:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rosh%20Hashanah/r/24a:20)

אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לָא אָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא שַׁמָּשִׁין שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּמוֹתָן, כִּדְתַנְיָא: לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בַּיִת תַּבְנִית הֵיכָל, אַכְסַדְרָה תַּבְנִית אוּלָם, חָצֵר כְּנֶגֶד עֲזָרָה, שֻׁלְחָן כְּנֶגֶד שֻׁלְחָן, מְנוֹרָה כְּנֶגֶד מְנוֹרָה. אֲבָל עוֹשֶׂה

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ **Abaye said: The Torah prohibited only** the images of those **attendants** with regard to **which it is possible to reproduce** an item in **their likeness.** Since it is impossible for anyone to reproduce the sun and the moon, the prohibition does not apply to these objects. **As it is taught** in a *baraita*: **A person** may **not construct a house** in the exact **form of the Sanctuary,** nor **a portico in** the exact **form of the Entrance Hall** of the Sanctuary, nor **a courtyard corresponding to** the Temple **courtyard,** nor **a table corresponding to the table** in the Temple, nor **a candelabrum corresponding to the candelabrum** in the Temple. **However, one may fashion**