Why is the first mitzvah that Hashem commands Bnei Yisrael, ????? ??? ???, the mitzvah of sanctifying/declaring the new month? Why not something more fundamental like Shabbat, belief in Hashem, or ????? ???? ????? The mitzvah of Kiddush Hahodesh is the commandment to establish the new month. In the days of the Sanhedrin, witnesses would come before the Beit Din and testify that they had seen the new moon. Based on their testimony, the Beit Din would determine whether or not the new month should be declared. This declaration would determine not only when Rosh Hodesh was but also when...