How does a Jewish woman celebrate Rosh Chodesh?

By Chana Weisberg

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Posted: Feb 27, 2008

Why Rosh Chodesh?

On Rosh Chodesh, Jewish women celebrate their refusal to relinquish their jewelry for the making of the Golden Calf, and to the contrary, their eagerness to donate their jewelry to the Mishkan.
The Mishkan was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, which is the "Head" of the Rosh Chodesh of all other months. For this reason, Rosh Chodesh was chosen as the day to celebrate this unique dedication to G-d.
-Baalei Hatosfos to Shemot 35:22

Posted By Baruch Davidson

Posted: Oct 27, 2008

Jewish Women and Rosh Hodesh

Could you please direct me to the source which talks about women's refusal to relinquish their jewerly for Golden Calf? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Posted By Aliya, Brooklyn, NY

Posted: Nov 5, 2008

Dear Alina,

The womens' refusal is discussed in the Midrash Tanchuma, referenced on our site.

It reads as follows:

Aaron tried to busy them with tasks. He said to them: "Remove the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives"--a most difficult thing, for the women, who saw all the miracles that G-d performed in Egypt, at the Sea and at Sinai, would surely not participate... When the women did not do as the men demanded, the men removed their own jewelry, as it says, "And all the people unloaded the golden earrings which were in their ears."

Posted By Malkie Janowski for Chabad.org

Posted: May 28, 2009

can you really create your own tasks?

I did not know that one can invent a custom...

Posted By Anonymous

Posted: May 5, 2011

Chabad Custom?

What is the exact Chabad custom for abstaining from work on Rosh Chodesh? Is it just sewing and laundry? How do you define which chores should be held off?

Posted By Raizel, jerusalem, Israel

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