By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

There are those who Kvetch after Maariv on Motzai Yom  Kippur and say, “Really?  Another five minutes for Kiddush Levana?  I really want to break my fast!”

But the Ramah does write (Siman 602), “We do not recite Kiddush Levana before Motzei Yom Kippur” – and this is the prevailing custom.  However, if weather predictions indicate cloudy conditions until the final time to say it – then we do recite Kiddush Levana before Motzei Yom Kippur.  The reason it is not said during these times is that Kiddush Levanah is a time full of joy and during the Days of Awe, when our future lies in the balance – it does not seem so appropriate to engage in such joyous activity.

THE FINAL TIME TO SAY IT

But when is the final time to say Kiddush Levana, and when is the earliest that it could be said?  The final time is 14 days and 18 hours after the Molad.  Since the Molad for Tishrei was Thursday, October 3^rd , 2024 at 3:21 (13 chalakim) AM – we have until 9:21 PM and 13 Chalakim on October 18^th.

It may, of course, begin to be said from 72 hours after the Molad.

DO OTHERS DISAGREE?

The Maharal MiPrague is cited as holding the exact opposite of the Ramah – that it is better to enter Yom Kippur with another Mitzvah in hand.  However, as mentioned earlier the prevailing custom is to do so after Yom Kippur.  And because of the custom of Zrizim Makdimim L’Mitzvos – we do Mitzvos right away, we do so on Motzai Yom Kippur (even though we are hungry.)  So how would the Ramah respond to this point of the Maharal MiPrague?  Why don’t we try to get the extra Mitzvah of Kiddush Levanah before Yom Kippur?

THE FASCINATING LEVUSH

Rav Mordechai Yaffe zt”l the student of the Ramah provides us with a fascinating answer.  He writes that the very act of waiting – to perform the Mitzvah in the best possible manner – is in and of itself a Mitzvah too!  This Mitzvah will grant us merit as we enter into Yom Kippur too.

The painting shown above was drawn by a nine year old student of the author’s daughter, an art tutor in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway community.  To enroll in an art class, please email [email protected]

The author can be reached at [email protected]