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...

The molad of Adar Alef was early morning of last Wednesday. That means that the first opportunity for Kiddush L'vana this month is Motza'ei Shabbat, eve of the 4th of the month (Feb. 12th). Three days after the molad is the starting time for KL according to Minhag Yerushalayim.

Those who wait for 7 full days to pass from the molad will have their first op on Wednesday night, Feb. 16th.

There are opinions that during "nice" weather, one should wait for 7 days, but in the rainy season, one should take an earlier opportunity, if presented.
Others keep to a very strict 7 full days minimum. And others, of course, hold by the three-day (72-hrs.) after the announced molad rule. Others will wait for Motza'ei Shabbat, if at all possible.

[The Parshat T'ruma Homepage]
[The TORAH tidbits Homepage] [How to use TORAH tidbits]
[About The OU/NCSY Israel Center] [About TORAH tidbits]
 [www.ou.org]