WORD OF THE MONTH

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... 

Molad and Kiddush L'vana times and details are mostly taken from a computer program called ZMANEI HAYOM B'HALACHA, by Rav Eitan Tzakuni of Netivot. The program went through several versions for DOS, the last of which I have been using for quite some time.

Even when the program went windows, and was renamed CHAZON SHAMAYIM (the name of the sefer Rav Tzakuni wrote on part of Rambam's Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh, which was sold together with the original computer program), I remained faithful to the DOS version. I found it more comfortable to use; the early windows versions were a bit cumbersome. But now there is a new version of Chazon Shamayim for windows, and it is terrific. It is not super user friendly; you have to know what you're doing to make it work for you. It works in Hebrew (there is a built in toggle for English, but it isn't yet operative). I like it because it teaches you about the subject of ZMANIM as you customize the program for your needs. More on this program elsewhere or elsewhen, but in the meanwhile, call me at 566-7787 for further details or Rav Eitan Tzakuni at 08-9945621 to acquire the program.