[(Exod. 12:2:) THIS NEW MOON (i.e., THIS MONTH).] R. Judah {ben} [bar] Simeon says: What is THIS NEW MOON (THIS MONTH)? To what is the matter comparable?⁴⁵ 5:11; PR 15:17. To a king who had taken many wives but did not write marriage contracts⁴⁶. for them; nor did he record consulship⁴⁷. (to indicate the year), month, or Sabbath (i.e., week). He saw a certain daughter of good family, even a daughter of noble stock. So for her he wrote a marriage contract and recorded consulship, month, Sabbath, and leap year (i.e., one with a second month of Adar inserted). Similarly did the Holy One say: When I created my world, the peoples of the world arose. I gave them neither new moon, Sabbath, nor leap year; but when Israel arose, to them I gave new moons (i.e., months) and leap years. It is therefore stated (in Exod. 12:2): THIS NEW MOON (THIS MONTH).

footnotes: ⁴⁵ PRK ⁴⁶ Gk.: gamika ⁴⁷ Gk.: hupateia