 Parshat Lech L'cha 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... Our fixed calendar (the one we use between Sanhedrins), uses averages for the time from one New Moon (Molad) to the next, rather than the actual astronomical timing which varies (within limits) from month to month. A lunation (the time from one Molad to the next) is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 1 part (there are 18chalakim or parts in a minute, 1080 in an hour). The midpoint between Moladot is called the NIGUD (the Sun and Moon are said to be in OPPOSITION, and we have Full Moon). To find the (average) NIGUD, add 14d 18h 22m to the Molad. This is the latest time for Kiddush L'vana in any given month. This month, the Molad was on Tue.
October 20th, at [The Lech L'cha Homepage] |