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... 

The Molad of Sh'vat was Wednesday afternoon. 3 days later is Shabbat afternoon, so Motza'ei Shabbat is the first opportunity for Kiddush L'vana (according to the opinion of the GR"A). 7-day people have their first op next Wednesday night. All this is weather-permitting, of course. 

Some opinions hold that during the rainy season, one should take the earlier 3-day opportunity, as opposed to summertime when one should wait until 7 days. 

Remember again, that the opinion of the GR"A is not that it's okay not to wait for 7 days (as is an existing opinion), but that one should say K.L. right after 3-days from the Molad and not wait for 7 days or Motza'ei Shabbat. Other opinions do express permission to say K.L. after 3 days, but prefer Mota"Sh and/or 7 days. There are quite a few variations of opinion as to the ideal timing for saying K.L. One should ask his own Rav for guidance in this matter.