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... Yes, it's a crab apple, a.k.a. crab, and therefore stands for the Mazal of Tamuz. Follow please. Molad on Wed. 9:16pm means first opportunity for Kiddush L'vana is Motza'ei Shabbat. But not until 9:16pm, three full days after the molad. Most shuls will be finished with Maariv and ready for KL by 8:40-8:50pm. Too early for KL. It is not practical to ask people to wait around (except with a Rabbeinu Tam minyan), but in any case, the moon might not be visible anymore by 9:16. If at all, it will be low in the western sky where it will set at 10:02pm. So try for Sunday night. 7-day people: Your first op is Wed. July 13, after 9:16pm. Motza"Sh Balak (July 16th will probably be a popular KL time.) Jewish communities to the west of Israel (who hold the 3-day minhag) will have no problem with KL on Motza'ei Shabbat (July 9) because for them (Europe, US, etc.), earliest time is before Shabbat out. [The
Parshat Chukat Homepage]
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