The last Mishnah on Kiddush HaChodesh
a bridge to the shofar
Seen by all — but night fell before “Mekudash”
Restrictivethen this month is me'ubar — made a full one.
→ the month is full: Rosh Chodesh moves to the 31st
Rambam: witnesses may still come on the 31st
Only Beis Din saw it: two judges testify before the rest
Permissiveand the beis din says: Mekudash, mekudash.
Seen at night — so it needs testimony
Only three saw it — and they are the court: seat two more beside the third
Permissiveand they say: Mekudash, mekudash —
Reasonbecause the lone judge is not believed on his own.
One judge alone is not believedeven Moshe had Aharon with him
Rosh Hashana 3:1
When Beis Din Itself Sees the Moon
רָאוּהוּ בֵית דִּין
רָאוּהוּ בֵית דִּין וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל,
נֶחְקְרוּ הָעֵדִים,
וְלֹא הִסְפִּיקוּ לוֹמַר מְקֻדָּשׁ,
עַד שֶׁחֲשֵׁכָה,
הֲרֵי זֶה מְעֻבָּר.
רָאוּהוּ בֵית דִּין בִּלְבַד,
יַעַמְדוּ שְׁנַיִם וְיָעִידוּ בִפְנֵיהֶם,
וְיֹאמְרוּ מְקֻדָּשׁ מְקֻדָּשׁ.
רָאוּהוּ שְׁלשָׁה וְהֵן בֵּית דִּין,
יַעַמְדוּ הַשְּׁנַיִם
וְיוֹשִׁיבוּ מֵחַבְרֵיהֶם אֵצֶל הַיָּחִיד
וְיָעִידוּ בִפְנֵיהֶם,
וְיֹאמְרוּ מְקֻדָּשׁ מְקֻדָּשׁ,
שֶׁאֵין הַיָּחִיד נֶאֱמָן עַל יְדֵי עַצְמוֹ: