Rosh Yeshiva Responds
Rabbi Linzer answers halakhic questions from rabbis and community members
Any reason not to do Kiddush Levanah before night falls? Shekiah was 15 minutes ago, but the moon is pretty bright (see photo). I see the Shulchan Arukh and Rema are against.
In this situation, you may do so.
You are correct that Beit Yosef OC 426, quoting Agur (no. 591) states that one should not make this berakhah until it is nightfall, because “what good
Given the circumstances of not gathering in groups and not davening Ma’ariv after Tzeit on מצש״ק, would the Rosh Yeshiva recommend saying ברכת הלבנה at first sight of the new moon until ב״ה things change?
Absolutely. If you don’t say it in shul (as it were), no one will remember to say it. The language of Rema (Shulchan Arukh OC 426:1) is אין לקדש אלא בלילה בעת שהלבנה זורחת ונהנין מאורה – so:
Rosh Yeshiva Responds
Rabbi Dov Linzer will be answering shailas from YCT rabbis and community members on video each week.