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... Earliest time for Kiddush L'vana is NOT determined by Rosh Chodesh, but rather by the molad of the month. GR"A opinion (Minhag Yerushalayim) is that we start saying K.L. after 3 full days (72 hours) after the announced molad. For Sh'vat, it was Thu (Jan.22), 7:03am. 3 days brings us to Sunday morning. First op for K.L. is Sunday night, Jan. 25th. Don't let anyone try to tell you that Sunday night is too early because it is only the eve of the 3rd of the month. Tell them that the molad determines. The other opinion is 7 days after the molad, making the first op Thursday night, Jan.29th. The first of day of the 11th month (Sh'vat) is mentioned in the beginning of D'varim as the day Moshe Rabeinu became his last review of Torah and Mitzvot - 37 days prior to his passing. [The
Parshat Va-eira Homepage]
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