| Kiddush levana | |
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Kiddush Levana is recited on seeing the New Moon. |
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| Halakhic texts 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, customs or Torah based. | |
Kiddush levana (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, though it may be done until the moon is full. The ritual is done at night when the moon is shining. The ritual may be performed from three days after the molad; others wait a full seven days from the molad. The latest time for Kiddush Levanah is mid-month, i.e., fourteen days, eighteen hours and twenty-two minutes (some authorities extend this limit to fifteen full days) after the molad.[1]
It is customary to say Kiddush Levana at the conclusion of Shabbat if possible. 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 places where cloudy or rainy weather is very common, many people will recite the blessing as soon as they see the moon for the first time after the "three days".
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 the prayer should be said in a spirit of joy. If a holiday falls on Sunday, Kiddush Levana is delayed until after that day.
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