Kiddush Levana - Latest Time

QUESTION: When is the last time that one can recite Kiddush Levana?

ANSWER: The Gemara in Sanhedrin (41b) states that Kiddush Levana can be recited until the moon becomes full. Shulchan Aruch (426:3) understands this to mean that one may recite Kiddush Levana up until 15 days (360 hours) have elapsed after the molad. However, the Rama (based on Teshuvas Maharil 19) writes that the cutoff point is more precise. An average lunar month is 29 days, 12 hours, and approximately 44 minutes. Half of that span is approximately 14 days, 18 hours and 22 minutes. According to the Rama, Kiddush Levana cannot be recited after 14 days, 18 hours, and 22 minutes have elapsed from the beginning of the molad.

The Beiur Halachah (426 s.v. v’lo) writes that one may follow the Shulchan Aruch and recite Kiddush Levana with a bracha until 15 full days have passed from the time of the molad.

The Knesses Hagedola maintains that one may recite Kiddush Levana even on the sixteenth day after the molad. The Beiur Halachah writes that although the halacha does not follow this opinion, one may rely on this position to recite Kiddush Levana without a bracha.

____________________________________________________

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.