Objection: The entire edifice of the moon-sabbath argument depends on accepting the idea that the Sabbath originated in observing the moon. This is an early evolutionary cultural theory, it cannot be maintained without also accepting the idea that the Sabbath originated in moon worship.
Rebuttal: Not so. The acceptance of the truth does not necessitate the assumption of the other error.
The New Moon is still, and the Sabbath originally was, dependent upon the lunar cycle . . . Originally, the New Moon was celebrated in the same way as the Sabbath; gradually it became less important while the Sabbath became more and more a day of religion and humanity, of religious meditation and instruction, of peace and delight of the soul. (Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, "Holidays," p. 410.
Since Biblical times the months and years of the Jewish calendar have been established by the cycles of the moon and the sun. The traditional law prescribes that the months shall follow closely the course of the moon . . .
. . . This method of observation and intercalation was in use throughout the period of the second temple (516 B.C.E. - 70 C.E.), and about three centuries after its destruction, as long as there was an independent Sanhedrin. In the fourth century, however, when oppression and persecution threatened the continued existence of the Sanhedrin, the patriarch Hillel II took an extraordinary step to preserve the unity of Israel . . . he made public the system of calendar calculation which up to then had been a closely guarded secret. . . .
In accordance with this system, Hillel II formally sanctified all months in advance, and intercalated all future leap years until such time as a new, recognized Sanhedrin would be established in Israel. This is the permanent calendar according to which the New Moons and Festivals are calculated and celebrated today by the Jews all over the world. Like the former system of observation, it is based on the Luni-Solar principle. (Arthur Spier, The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar, excerpted at www.jewishcalendar.com.)
The entire edifice of the moon-Sabbath argument rests solidly on Scripture, supported by history and documented by astronomy.