May Kiddush Levana Be Recited After Sunset but Before Nightfall (During Bein Hashmashot)?

Question

Is it permitted to recite Kiddush Levana after sunset (shekiyah) but before full nightfall (tzeit hakochavim), during the period of bein hashmashot? If the moon is already visible and shining brightly at that time, may one recite the blessing, or must one wait until nightfall?

Answer

Kiddush Levana is fundamentally a nighttime blessing, as it is recited only at a time when one can benefit from the light of the moon. Many poskim explicitly rule that this requirement comes to exclude the period of bein hashmashot, and that Kiddush Levana may only be recited after tzeit hakochavim. However, some authorities question this strict limitation and argue that if it is already quite dark and the moon is clearly shining and providing benefit, there is room to allow the blessing even during bein hashmashot. Practically, Kiddush Levana should be recited only after tzeit hakochavim. However, if there is concern that the opportunity will be lost, one may rely on the lenient opinion and recite it during bein hashmashot so long as the moon is clearly shining and providing benefit.

Explanation

Kiddush Levana must be recited at night, at a time when the moon’s light is visible and beneficial. Several major authorities clearly state that “night” for this purpose means after tzeit hakochavim, and they understand this requirement to explicitly exclude the twilight period of bein hashmashot, even if the moon is already visible. According to this view, visibility alone is insufficient; the formal halachic status of night is required.

Other poskim, however, question this strict definition. They argue that since the essence of Kiddush Levana is the enjoyment and recognition of the moon’s light, if it is already dark enough and the moon is shining brightly during bein hashmashot, there is no intrinsic reason to prohibit reciting the blessing at that time. According to this approach, the functional reality—benefiting from moonlight—may be sufficient, even if full nightfall has not yet arrived.

Practically, the accepted ruling of many leading Acharonim is that one should wait until after tzeit hakochavim to recite Kiddush Levana, and this is the proper course of action lechatchilah. Nonetheless, in a situation where one may otherwise lose the opportunity to recite Kiddush Levana—such as when the moon is only briefly visible between clouds, during heavy rain, or close to the end of the permissible period—one may rely on the more lenient opinion and recite the blessing even during bein hashmashot, provided that the moon is clearly shining and one can benefit from its light.

Sources:

See regarding saying Kiddush Levana specifically at night: Rama 426:1 “The blessing over the new moon may only be said at night when the moon shines and one thus benefits from its light.^”; Haiggur 591; Shiltei Hagiborim on mordechai; Shibulei Haleket 167; Tanya Rabasi 31; Maharach Or Zarua 19

Poskim who rule that one is to say Kiddush Levana after Tzeis Hakochavim and not by Bein Hashamshos: Nimukei Yosef Megillah 5a “From here we learn that the blessing is not said by Bein Hashmashos”; Kaf Hachaim Falagi 35:7; Ben Ish Chaiy Vayikra 2:22; M”B 426:2 “To exclude Bein Hashmashos in which the moon can be seen a little, and it is still day”; Yaskil Avdi 8:20-53; Sefer Kiddush Levana 3:15 footnote 42

Poskim who are lenient to permit by Bein Hashmashos: Gur Aryeh Yehuda O.C. 144; Daas Torah 426 regarding time of need; Oe Letziyon 3:4-4 if the light of the moon creates a shadow on the earth; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 4:93; Heichal Horah 4:46