RAV KOOK ON Pinchas Part 1: Atonement for the New Moon

The Torah describes the offerings presented for each holiday, starting with those brought on Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the lunar month. “This is the burnt-offering of the new month, throughout the months of the year. And one male goat for a sin-offering to God.” (Num. 28: 14-15) There is a very peculiar Talmudic tradition about the purpose of the new moon sin-offering. For whom does this offering atone? The Talmud (Chulin 60b) explains that this is literally a ’sin offering for God.’ The offering comes to atone for God, as it were, for making the moon smaller than the sun. (According to the Midrash, the sun and the moon were initially created the same size. The moon complained, ‘Is it possible for two kings to rule with one crown?’ and was punished by being reduced in size.) For this reason, a sin- offering is presented with the appearance of the new moon. Is it possible to say that God sinned? That God needs atonement?