Pemikiran Yahudi Mazmur 119:91: Akeidat Yitzchak

We see from the above that the statement that our sages may wilfully change the dates refers only to instances when they do so in order to facilitate Torah observance. They do not have authority when their intention would be- G'd forbid- the frustration of mitzvah observance due to their calendar manipulations. The use of the word zadon, intentional, is clearly defined in the Torah (Mechilta Mishpatim 58), as referring to a father who kills his child while administering punitive corporal punishment. (Exodus 21,14) Since it had been the father's intention to do something within the law, the miscarriage of such intent is not construed as wilful murder. Similarly, Rabbi Joshua who thought that Rabbi Gamliel had erred in fixing the date for the first of Tishrey, was consoled by Rabbi Akiva when he realised that Rabbi Gamliel's decision served a grand purpose, regardless of its astronomical merit. (Rosh Hashanah 25) Our Rabbis go so far in empowering the Sanhedrin to change the date of the new moon, that even physical phenomena are affected. According to the Talmud, a virgin whose hymen has been penetrated, will grow it back if she had been under three years old when it happened. If she had been older, then she does not grow it back. The length of the three years, however, is made conditional on the determination of the calendar by the Sanhedrin, not on the solar cycle of three times 365 days. (Talmud Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 1,2) The interplay of the two methods of running the world, is described by Solomon in Kohelet 3,11, in these words: "He has made the universe to function beautifully, at its appointed time;" this refers to the laws of nature governing events. However, the verse continues: "He has also given an enigma in their hearts, so that man cannot comprehend what G'd had planned at the beginning to occur at the end." This refers to the authority vested in man, -at least chosen men-, to influence predetermined events by their actions and decisions. Between the natural laws and man's ability to influence events, much of the mystery of G'ds ways has been removed. This has been discussed in chapters three and twenty six.