A difficult matter to fathom: Edition 20: MOON The Editor Sin/Yerakh, ancient moon-god: Worship of the moon god in antiquity Introduction by John Gray   Fire beacons and the new moon: Figuring the calendar and passing on the news Hayyim Schauss The waning and waxing of the Jewish moon (phases to be reckoned with) The magical powers of the moon: Medieval beliefs concerning the waning and waxing of the moon Joshua Trachtenberg Woe is to us! — a lunar eclipse! Common beliefs in the middle ages The moon: a feminine affair A look at the special female symbolism of the moon Intro by Ellen Frankel and Betsy Platkin Teutsch Qiddush Levanah: blessing the new moon Capturing the moon: A folktale about the wise men of Helm A coat for the moon: A tale by the Hasidic master, Nahman of Bratslav Variations on yareah: A Hebrew lesson