Word of the Month
for Parshat Matot - Mas'ei

A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem....

The Molad of Menachem Av occurs on Friday morning, July 31st, 5h 27m13p (which is 6:07am Israel Summer Time). (The actual Molad is 3:43pm on Thursday, but it is not used for Kiddush L'vana timing.)

Many have the custom of waiting until after Tish'a b'Av for Kiddush L'vana. If so, then K.L. should preferably be said after breaking the fast and after putting on shoes (which this year means after Havdala). If this will mean missing a minyan for K.L. then one should say K.L. even before eating.

Minhag Yerushalayim is not to wait for K.L. but to say it after 72 hours following the Molad, as is done every month. First K.L. in that case is Monday night, July 27th.

Seven-day people would also wait until after Tish'a b'Av this year.

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