After thoroughly watching Devorah’s video on the aviv search for 2023 and comparing to previous years’ searches over the last day, I agree with several other Aviv ministries and congregations and see plenty of evidence to declare the barley to be Aviv and the new year to begin as of the sighting of the moon in Israel.
As you look through the video and read Devorah’s report, remember a few things.
First, she is reporting her findings and NOT declaring the aviv. This is usually done by the leadership of local congregations.
Second, her team made up of several members, are searching many fields from the south in the Negev to the north, just south of the Galilean Sea (the Kinneret lake). These are made up of mostly volunteer barley, not cultivated barley. Therefore, the growth is very inconsistent. Also, there may only be small patches growing (like weeds on the side of the freeway) which are not prepared like a farm field would be. Therefore, they may find no ripe barley, poor quality barley, ripe barley with no seed, aviv barley, or fully ripe barley ready to harvest.
Third, the fields in the Negev, which are organic fields that are farmed for cultivation purposes, are the most similar to biblical barley. In these, with their care of the soil, and proper preparation, they consistently found aviv barley, making these fields the best indicators of the barley harvest. The fields around Jerusalem, due to the lack of farming there, I would assume are the poorest. Comparatively, almost all the barley production in Israel is done in the Negev (80%) and in the Beit Shean (most of the rest). Therefore, the fields in these two regions are the strongest indicators of the aviv.
Since significant aviv barley was found in these two regions, which are a true picture of the nation’s harvest, then this barley would provide plenty for the First Fruits wave offering. Therefore the aviv is definitely ready to be called, and the next new moon will be the beginning of the year!
Chag Rosh Hashanah/Chag Rosh Chodesh! (Happy New Year/Happy New Month) …when the new moon is seen.
~Kraig
Note: Learn more about the new months and years in my latest Sabbath teaching.