Kiddush Levanah

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Kiddush Levanah
Kiddush Levana is recited on seeing the New Moon.
Halakhic sources*
Texts in Jewish law relating to this article:
Babylonian Talmud:	Sanhedrin 41b–42a
Mishneh Torah:	Laws of Blessings 10:16–17
Shulchan Aruch:	Orach Chaim 426
* Not meant as a definitive ruling. Some observances may be rabbinical, or customs, or Torah based.

Kiddush Levanah (Hebrew: קידוש לבנה ; trans. Sanctification of the Moon) is a Jewish ritual in which observant Jews recite a series of prayers shortly after Rosh Chodesh. The ritual is done at night usually at the conclusion of the first Shabbat after the New Moon, though it may be done until the moon is full. The ritual should not be performed within three days of the molad; others wait a full seven days from the molad. The reciting of Kiddush Levanah might be postponed publicly to the conclusion of the second Shabbat of the month if there is not sufficient visibility the first Saturday night.

The moon must be visible and not totally covered by clouds and the ceremony is normally performed outside. While it is customary to say the prayer with the large crowd after the Saturday evening services, or at least with a minyan, it can be also said without a minyan and in the middle of the week.

In the month of Tishrei, it is usually delayed until after the conclusion of Yom Kippur; others have a custom to say it specifically before Yom Kippur. In the month of Av, it is traditionally postponed to following the fast of Tisha B'Av, as the beginning of the month is a time of mourning and such levity would be inappropriate. If a holiday falls on Sunday, Kiddush Levanah is delayed until after that day.