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... 

HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... 

Many people said Kiddush L'vana last Motza'ei Shabbat. It was more than three days after the Molad and it was a Motza"Sh. And although it was before seven days from the molad, many hold that during the rainy season one should take a Motza"Sh before seven days, because you never know if the rain and clouds will cooperate with K.L. or not. 

TACHLIS — if you are reading these words on Thursday night, January 4th, and you haven't yet said K.L. and the moon is clear of cloud-cover, them say it and don't take a chance on Motza'ei Shabbat. Otherwise, Motza'ei Shabbat Vayigash is good and so is Sunday or Monday night. If you go down to the wire, Tuesday night (Jan.9) is good, but only until 9:30pm (that's in Israel - in the States, Monday night is the last op). 

FEEDBACK

Many readers pointed out that the 3rd and 4th of Iyar can also have both Hallel and Tachanun in different years. (The 5th probably does not get Tachanun even when Yom HaAtzmaut is moved earlier.) Correct as stated last week. The 3rd of Tevet is still unique in that it does not depend on moving a holiday off its regularly scheduled date. So if you turn all this into a riddle, set conditions properly to exclude the MUKDAM or NIDCHEH situations.