Rosh Hashanah 21 - Shabbat October 30, 24 Cheshvan

Study Guide Rosh Hashanah 21

Whether or not one needs to keep two days of chag depends on whether or not messengers could reach there both in Nissan and in Tishrei. If in Tishrei there was not enough time to come, but in Nissan there was (due to many days in Tishrei where one cannot travel), even in Nissan one needs to keep two days of Pesach. Several stories/practices are told regarding Yom Kippur - what happens if they find out after Yom Kippur that they fasted on the wrong day? Rava would holds two days of fasting just to make sure, however, this was not the prevalent custom. On a year when the winter season will end by (or on) the 16th of Nissan, a leap year must be declared. How do those living on the sea determine when the holidays will be? Witnesses can desecrate Shabbat to testify about the new moon only on Nissan and Tishrei because of the holidays, so as not to delay the messengers. Messengers, however, cannot desecrate the Shabbat. From where is all this derived? In the time of the Temple, they could desecrate Shabbat every month because of the sacrifices for Rosh Chodesh. This was changed by Rabban Yochanan ben Zakai after the destruction. Witnesses can come on Shabbat even if the new moon was seen clearly. although some disagree and only permit them to come if it was not so clear.