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...

Rosh Chodesh Nissan was Thursday, March 18th. The Molad of Nissan was on WED (Mar 17) 11h 20m 3p (which is 10:59am, Israel time). First opportunity for Kiddush L'vana (Vilna Gaon's 3-day atfter the Molad rule) was Motza'ei Shabbat Vayikra. Other opinions start Wednesday night or Motza'ei Shabbat. Tzav.

Deadline for K.L. is 5:21am of April 1st, the first day of Pesach, just about sunrise. What that means is that the entire Seder night is still acceptable for K.L. One should not wait for the last minute, but in case one hasn't said K.L. and finds himself walking home from the Seder at someone's house and sees the powerful(almost) full Moon of Leil Shimurim - it would be a perfect opportunity to cap of a night of mitzvot with yet one more.

We bench Rosh Chodesh Iyar on Shabbat Parshat Shmini, April 10th. Rosh Chodesh will be the following Friday and Shabbat. The Molad of Iyar as announced, will be FRI (April 16th), 4m and 4p after midnight. Do not adjust the time of the Molad for Summer time. It does not change. It corresponds to 12:43am (that time IS adjustedto Summer time).