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...

Kiddush L'vana began last Tuesday night for the quick-starting Minhag Yerushalayim folks, and flourishes this Motza'ei Shabbat (weather permitting) for most Jews around the world and in Israel.

The last opportunity for K.L. this month is next Motza'ei Shabbat (December 29). If you miss this Motza'ei Shabbat because of cloudy or rainy weather, don't wait until next Motza"Sh. Take the first opportunity to say K.L. In the winter, it is not impossible to have a run of cloudy nights that will prevent our saying K.L.  

Asara B'Tevet is one of the 4 fasts related to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash. It is also one of the 4 fasts that will become Yamim Tovim in the time of the rebuilt Beit HaMikdash. Although there are many leniencies for  people of weak constitution that can allow them to eat on a fast day like 10 Tevet, healthy people who can handle fasting are OBLIGATED to fast on all public fast days. This included men and women and boys from 13 and girsls from 12 years of age. Too many people have this attitude that 10 Tevet isn't THAT important. Don't be one of those.