Hello John and Doves,

 

This letter covers the new moon sighting of Kislev.  The Islamic calendar also uses the new moon for the start of its months.  And I've written more about the black flag of Islam (previous letter in the link below) and this Islamic month.  And a bit about the tenth Hebrew month of Tevet.

The Black Flag of Islam, the Mahdi and Last Days

https://www.fivedoves.com/letters/oct2023/chance1022-5.htm

 

The Ninth Month of Kislev:

 

The new moon for the month of Kislev was not sighted from Jerusalem on 11/14/2023.  (It was sighted in Melbourn, Australia on November 14).  So the expected sighting from Jerusalem is 11/15/2023.

New Moon Sightings in Israel & Feasts Dates

 

"For Israel-based observers, there was no known reports of sightings this same evening (too far north) and those keeping to a strict Israel sighting will delay the start of the month until the following evening, November 15." (Wednesday)
Biblically Observed Calendar Sightings for the 9th Renewed Moon of 2023-2024 Renewed Moon
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Torah Calendar

The torah calendar has 1 Kislev sunset 15 Nov to sunset 16 Nov - this is correct for the new moon sighting.  This calendar has Rosh Chodesh - first crescent moon sunset, 15 Nov. 

 

So Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) starts Day 1 on sunset 9 December to sunset 10 December and ends sunset 17 December - eight day feast.

 

Islamic Month of Jumada al-Awwal:

 

We are close to the edge of a major war in the Middle East - and the Muslims are very much aware of what happened during this month during the time of their Prophet Muhammad.  On the Islamic calendar, their month of Jumada al-Awwal started on November 15 also.  The Battle of Mu'tah occurred in this month - "It was the most significant and the fiercest battle during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, a preliminary and a prelude to the great conquests of the land of the Christians.  
The Battle of Mu’tah | Supporting Prophet Muhammad website

Islamic Calendar: The Month Of Jumādā al-Awwal - Studio Arabiya

 

This was a battle between "the forces of Muhammad and the army of the Byzantine Empire - Muslims vs Christians - a holy war where "the image of Christ was carried as a military standard...It took place in the village of Mu'tah..east of the Jordan River.  The Muslims were initially routed, but returned strong enough to take Syria and Egypt from the Byzantine Empire.

Byzantine Empire - Wikipedia

 

In the Battle of Mu'tah, the Muslim leaders carried the 'flag or banner of Islam'. "According to hadiths the black banner was the battle flag of the Prophet Muhammad and was carried into battle by many of his companions.  The image of the black flag has been used as a symbol of religious revolt and engagement in battle (i.e. jihad).  In the contemporary Islamist movement, the black flag is used to evoke notions of jihad and of reestablishing the Islamic Caliphate."
Image of Black Banner – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point

 

Black Flag Raised in Iran:

 

On October 18, 2023, a black flag was raised above the Razavi dome of the Imam Reza mosque in Iran.  This mosque "..holds immense significance for the Twelver Shia Muslims..."  The Muslims are awaiting their messiah - the Mahdi.
Why has the Imam Reza shrine in Iran hoisted the black flag for the first time in history outside of Muharram?

Many news outlets immediately stepped in to control the narrative on this black flag raising above the largest mosque in Iran as "Many X accounts also claimed the flag is a "call for war or vengeance" and "holy message to Muslims for the final battle - against Israel"  The X posts gathered more than 20 million views collectively."   Various news agencies 'fact checked' this and said it was just for solidarity or mourning for the Muslim deaths in Gaza - that it was NOT a call to war. 
Fact Check: Black flag raised by Iranian shrine for mourning occasions | Reuters

 

How would westerners really know what Iran was thinking when this black flag was raised?  With Iran's huge protests chanting 'death to Israel', 'death to America'.  And with Iran supporting Hezbollah, Hamas and other anti-Jewish, anti-Israel terrorist organizations.  It could very well be a call to war.  I tend to think the opposite of what the 'fact checkers' tell me to think, especially when something like this is so obviously beyond their actual knowledge.  Do they even know about the Twelvers or the Mahdi?  Or are they purposefully covering up a Muslim call to war?

 

Here are some of those Western news outlets:
Imam Reza mosque in Iran hoists black flag to mark mourning period
What does the black flag raised in Iran mean? | The Sun
PolitiFact | A shrine in Iran raised a black flag in mourning, not to call for war
Fact Check: Black flag raised by Iranian shrine for mourning occasions | Reuters
A black flag over Iran’s Imam Reza shrine isn’t a war cry. It represents mourning for Gaza victims | AP News

Yes, this black flag has been raised for mourning in the past...but most Westerners do not understand the mindset of Persian Muslims hoping to hurry along the return of their messiah, the Mahdi.

 

Erdogan, President of Turkey, "..likened the conflict between Israel, a Jewish state, and the Palestinians to a war between Christian and Muslim worlds, saying the crisis was "a matter of cross and crescent".  (Side note:  in this same article:  "Turkey has sent 666 tonnes of humanitarian aid, medicine and medical equipment...."  Interesting number.)
Turkey's Erdogan Labels Israel a 'Terror State', Slams Its Backers in West

 

The banner of the Islamic Mahdi was chosen to be black.
Black Standard - Wikipedia

 

Will the Muslims use this month, the anniversary of the Battle of Mu'tah - which ultimately led to defeat of the Christians - as their month of revenge?  (Erdogan sees this Gaza War as a 'war between the Christian and Muslims worlds')  Erdogan's rhetoric is staying strong against Israel and the West (especially the US)
Turkey's Erdogan labels Israel a 'terror state', slams its backers in West

 

The Tenth Month of Tevet:

 

The next month starts right about December 15.  The tenth Hebrew month is Tevet.  And on the tenth day of this month Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian armies laid siege to Jerusalem - thirty months later on 17 Tammuz the city walls were breached and then on the 9th of Av the Holy Temple was destroyed.  Thus the 70 years of exile began for the Jewish people.  10 Tevet is a day of "fasting, mourning and repentance, in remembrance of the siege of Jerusalem."  It is also a remembrance day for the victims of the Holocaust.
Friday, December 22, 2023 / Tevet 10, 5784 - Jewish Calendar - Hebrew Calendar

 

The Winter Solstice is 21 Dec/22 Dec.

 

Getting closer to the end of 2023!

 

Will we be here for Hanukkah this year?  I hope not!  

 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

 

Maranatha!

 

Chance

Happy Ninth New Moon!