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...

As announced in shul last week (and in Torah Tidbits), the molad of Kislev was early Monday (Nov. 24) morning. That makes the

first opportunity for Kiddush L'vana according to Minhag Yerushalayim, on Thursday night (Nov. 27). Most people will wait until Motza'ei Shabbat, and the strict 7-days after the molad people will have their first opportunity on Monday night (Dec. 1). All of the above, of course, is weather-permitting.

Because of the variable length of Cheshvan (29 or 30 days), the days of Kislev can each fall on any one of six of the seven days of the week. This is in contrast to most calendar dates that have four possible days of the week and a LO-AD"U type of situation. The 25th of Kislev, for example, can be on any day except Tuesday. That means the first (and last) candle can be any night except for Monday night. Kislev's days are the only ones that are 6 yes - 1 no.

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