Today - 3 Tammuz - is the day that Yehoshua told the sun and moon to stop orbiting, as recounted in Sefer Yehoshua Ch.10, verses 12-14.
Kiddush Levanah - (the sanctification of the new moon) - can be found in any Siddur; usually after the Maariv service.
Men have an obligation to say Kiddush Levanah every month. The custom is that women do not say Kiddush Levanah.
Kiddush Levanah cannot be said before the new moon is 3 days (72 hours) old. Some even wait until it's 7 days old.
Kiddush Levanah can only be said while the moon is waxing.
Kiddush Levanah should not be said while standing under a roof. However, if this is impossible or impractical, then it can be said inside by a window.
Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:7, 8, 10
- Danny
Tuesday, 3 Tammuz 5771
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Halocho #839 - Can one say Kiddush Levanah by a window?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Halocho #290 A rare Mitzvah: once every 28 years
In the Gemara in Brachot (59b) we learn: "When seeing the sun at its Tekufah, the moon at its strength, the stars in their paths, and the Zodiacal constellations in their order, one says Blessed be the Maker of creation. " "And when does this happen? " "Abaye said: Every 28 years when the cycle begins again and the Nisan equinox falls into Saturn on the evening of Tuesday, going into Wednesday." As recorded in the Chumash, the sun was created on Wednesday - and every 28 years it returns to the same spot. You can read more about it at http://www.answers.com/topic/birkat-hahammah This year on Wednesday Erev Pessach (8 April 2009) is the 206th time the sun will be back at its original location. There's an entire order-of-prayer that is traditionally said and can be found at http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/pdf/pdf93/birkatHamaA.pdf At the very least one should say the following Bracha when first seeing the sun on Wednesday, Erev Pessach (8 April 2009)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Halocho #146 - Last chance for Kiddush Levana
One can say Kiddush Levana (the blessing on a waxing moon) until the Full Moon; defined as half way between 2 Molads. (The Molad is the New Moon based on Halachic calculations.) The custom is to not say Kiddush Levana on Shabbat unless there's no other time to say it. This month [in Jerusalem] the Halachic full moon will be 10 minutes after sunset; minutes before Motzai Shabbat. Shabbat afternoon in the USA. This month there will be a [partial] moon eclipse on Friday night [around midnight in Israel]. Many Poskim [Halachic authorities] prefer not saying Kiddush Levana after a moon eclipse, since moon eclipses happen at Full Moon. Other Poskim allow saying Kiddush Levana until the Halachic Full Moon, even if it's obvious to everybody that the moon is already waning. If you didn't yet say Kiddush Levana this month, you should make sure to say it tonight - Thursday night. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:7, 10 ,12 - Danny Thursday, 13 Menachem-Av 5768
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Halocho #139 - Can we say Kiddush Levana this week?
One does not say Kiddush Levana (the monthly blessing over the new moon) until after the fast of 9 B'Av. On Motzai Yom Kippour one can say Kiddush Levana immediately after Ma'ariv (the evening prayers). On Motzai 9 B'Av one may not say Kiddush Levana until one has broken the fast and put on shoes. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:19, 130:6 - Danny Tuesday, 4 Menachem-Av 5768
Monday, July 7, 2008
Halocho #116 - Can one say Kiddush Levanah by a window?
Kiddush Levanah - (the sanctification of the new moon) - can be found in any Siddur; usually after the Maariv service. Men have an obligation to say Kiddush Levanah every month. The custom is that women do not say Kiddush Levanah. Kiddush Levanah cannot be said before the new moon is 3 days (72 hours) old. Some even wait until it's 7 days old. Kiddush Levanah can only be said while the moon is waxing. Kiddush Levanah should not be said while standing under a roof. However, if this is impossible or impractical, then it can be said inside by a window. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:7, 8, 10 - Danny Monday 4th Tamuz 5768
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Halocho #52 - Purim Koton and eclipses
One should eat a bigger meal to increase happiness on 14th of Adar-1. Even in "walled cities" where Shushan-Purim is celebrated (e.g. Jerusalem) this is done on 14th (not 15th) of Adar-1 During Adar-1 the Megila is not read, nor does one say Al-Hanisim. Tonight (Wednesday night) is a full moon eclipse. See details on Answers.com There is no special brocho said on an eclipse, though on meteors and comets one says "Oseh ma'ase Breishis"* Sources: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 142:10, Last Halocho in Shulchan Oruch Orach Chaim (697:1), KSA 60:2
