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...

AV is one of those months when the "world" waits to say Kiddush L'vana, in this case, until after Tish'a b'Av (and some until after 10 Av) and Minhag Yerushalayim is not to wait. (The other months like this are Tishrei and Sivan.) With the molad occurring last Shabbat, the first opportunity according to M.Y. was this past Tuesday night. For 7 full days after the molad people, first op is Motza'ei Shabbat Chazon, but most people with this minhag will probably wait until after 9AV. Reason not to wait (M.Y.) is "If a mitzva comes your way, don't let it turn sour." Reason for waiting until after 9AV is mainly MOOD. (Maybe some mystical reasoning, as well. K.L. is the monthly "reception" in honor of the Divine Presence. Such an occasion should be joyous, and so the wait until 9AV has passed.

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