Kiddush Levana - Friday Night

QUESTION: Why is Kiddush Levana not said on Friday night?

ANSWER: The Rama (426:2) writes that Kiddush Levana may not be said on Yom Tov even if it falls out on Motzei Shabbos. The Magen Avrohom (426:2) quotes the Rama Mi’Fano (siman 78) who states that one may not recite Kiddush Levana on Shabbos (Friday night) as well. The Rama Mi’Fano offers several reasons:

On Shabbos, one is not permitted to leave the techum (borders of the city). Walking outside in the direction of the moon, in order to greet the Shechina, gives the appearance that one is planning on leaving the techum.

The honor of Shabbos is greater than greeting the Shechina. Therefore, one may not let the simcha of Kiddush Levana interfere with the simcha of Shabbos.

The Minchas Yitzchak (2:120) quotes an additional reason from Sefer Me’asef Ta’am. One should not recite Kiddush Levana on Shabbos because we are concerned that one will carry a siddur outside to a place where there is no eiruv.

The Tzitz Eliezer (17:17) writes that if one has not yet said Kiddush Levana and the last night available is Friday night, one should recite Kiddush Levana on Shabbos rather than lose the mitzvah. He writes that there were many great tzadikim who did so when there was no other choice (see Sho’el U’maishiv, Kama 3:151).

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.