The Biblical Calendar

In order to communicate that the new moon had begun to those who lived in distant places, the Sanhedrin would light a fire from a mountaintop. In turn, additional fires were lit from mountaintop to mountaintop. However the Samaritans and other peoples would also light fires several days before and following the expected day of the new moon to confuse the people. Because of this problem, the sighting of the new moon started to become communicated to people in distant lands by means of messengers. This change was introduced by Judah Hanasi in about 135 – 200 C.E.