Parshat R'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 Elul is Shabbat (August 22), 18h 11m 14p. That's how we announced it in shul last Shabbat. It translates to 6:51pm on Shabbat afternoon, Israel Summer Time. The actual Molad is 4:02am on Shabbat morning.

Three days (72 hours) after the Molad is the earliest time for Kidush L'vana according to Minhag Yerushalayim. It is the ideal time for K.L. because "Mitzva ethusiasts do mitzvot at the earliest opportunity". This means that Tuesday night,
August 25th is first K.L.

Those who follow the 7-day-after-the-Molad opinion and those who wait for Motza'ei Shabbat will have their best shot at K.L. next Motza'ei Shabbat, August 29th.

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