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... With the Molad of Elul occurring last Thursday evening at about 6:50, the first opportunity for Kiddush L’vana was Sunday, August 11th (according to Minhag Yerushalayim, i.e. three full days after the Molad). Seven-day people have their first op on Thursday evening, August 15th, and those who say K.L. only on Motza’ei Shabbat will have their first op on Motza”Sh, Aug. 17th, the eve of the 10th of Elul. With Motza”Sh so “early” in the month, many people will wait for then, even if in other months they would say K.L. during the week. The preference for saying K.L. on Motza’ei Shabbat is because K.L. is considered to be “Greeting the Divine Presence”, and one is dressed and perfumed nicely on Motza”Sh. Reminder: When saying K.L., check that the moon is there and clear of clouds, but do not face the moon while saying K.L. lest it appear that we are praying to the moon (G-d forbid). [The
Ki Teitzei Homepage]
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