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 Kislev was lastTuesday morning (8:02am).Three days (72 hours) later is Friday morning, so the first op forKiddush L’vana would be Friday night. Since we don’t say K.L. on Leil Shabbat (unless it is the last op), we begin saying K.L. this month on Motza’ei Shabbat Parshat To’l’dot, Leil 5 Kislev), Nov. 9th. Those who follow the 7-day from the Molad opinion will have their first op for K.L. on Tuesday night, Leil 8 Kislev), Nov. 12. Kislev is the other variable month (Cheshvan is the first), with 30 days during “in order” years and “full” years, and only 29 days during “deficient” years. 5763 is a full year (and M’u’beret, i.e. 13 months). Kislev has 30 days 74½% of the time and 29 days only 25.5% of years. Being variable makes the next Rosh Chodesh also variable. Rosh Chodesh Tevet (which is during Chanuka) is usually 2 days, but is sometimes only 1 day. More on Kislev... KISLEV is one of two variable months in
our otherwise fixed calendar. Sunday (21.9%) With the first of Kislev falling on 6 of the days of the week, it follows that Chanuka can begin on 6 of the 7 days of the week too (unlike all other holidays that can only fall on one of four days each). The first candle (and eighth) of Chanuka can be on any night of the week except for Monday night. [The
Parshat To'l'dot Homepage]
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