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...

With the Molad of Sivan early Sunday morning Rosh Chodesh day (May 12), the first oppor- tunity for Kiddush L’vana (according to Minhag Yerushalayim - GR”A) is Wednesday night, eve of the 5th of Sivan (May 15). Many people wait during Sivan for Motza’ei Shavuot, or in this year’s case, Motza’ei Shabbat. That means that hardline GR”A people will go for Wednesday night. Most people will wait for Motza’ei Shabbat. Even many 7-day after the molad people will say K.L. on Motza’ei Shabbat (which is only hours before a full 7 days).

On another note... Shavuot, being only one day, has 6 days of MILU’IM (fill-in) that follow it to even it up with Sukkot and Pesach. This has a practical korbanot-related application in the time of the Beit HaMikdash. Today it means no Tachanun through the 12th of Sivan.