Kiddush Levanah

The Sanctification of the Moon occurs when the moon has moved far enough from the Molad’s position, * that now a thin crescent is illuminated on the surface and becomes visible, this is the second part of marking the start of a new Jewish month.

(The Sanctification of the Moon occurs only between the third and the fifteenth days of the Jewish month).

One should want to look there best on such an occasion, and it is preferable to sanctify the moon in a large group. As is most customs, the very best time is immediately after Shabbat (providing it is prior to the tenth day of the Hebrew month), outside of the synagogue, when we are all together and dressed in our festive clothing.

Traditionally we go outside to sanctify the moon, as nothing should come between us and the heavens. With excitement and anticipation holding in our mind the idea is as though one is running eagerly to greet the king. We do not recite the sanctification of the Moon on a night when clouds are completely covering the moon. However if by chance the moon is obscured only by a thin cloud cover, and the moon and it”s light are still clearly visible, it is still okay to do the ceremony. In face the sanctification of the Moon is so important that if one begins the blessing and it suddenly becomes cloudy, one should still complete the service.

Some follow the Kabbalists tradition, of waiting until the seventh day of the month to sanctify the moon. None the less if you suspect that it will be cloudy for most of the month (as it sometimes is in winter), one should perform the service at the first opportunity.

The sanctification of the Moon is a joyous occasion, and one need’s to make a point of performing it in the best of moods.  As proper of any royal reception, the place where the ceremony is done should be free from any strong stench.

It’s important to note that in the month of Tishrei (the period of the High Holidays), when we spend the first ten days repenting for our wrongdoings during the past year, we always postpone the service of sanctification of the Moon to the night after Yom Kippur. The same also applies to the month of Av, whose first nine days are spent mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple. We likewise always wait until the night after the Ninth of Av to sanctify the moon.