6. Kiddush Levana on Motzei Tisha B’av:^[1]

One does not recite Kiddush Levana prior to Tisha B’av.^[2] It is rather to be recited on Motzei Tisha B’av.^[3]

Eating and changing clothing before Kiddush Levana on Motzei Tisha B’av:^[4] Prior to reciting Kiddush Levana on Motzei Tisha B’av, one is to eat.[5] One is to also change his shoes.[6]

Q&A If eating [or switching shoes] on Motzei Tisha B’av prior to Kiddush Levana will cause one to miss saying it with a Minyan what is he to do?[7] He is to say Kiddush Levana with the Minyan rather than first eat, as doing so will cause him to miss saying it with the Minyan.

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[1] Rama 426:2; 551:8

^[2] Rama 426:2; 551:8

The reason: As one is in a state of mourning. [M”A 426:4; M”B 426:8]

[3] Custom of Arizal brought in Beir Heiytiv 426:4 and 551:25; Arizal in Peri Eitz Chaim 23:1; Kneses Hagedola [brought in M”A 426:6]; Peri Chadash 426:2; Shvus Yaakov 2:11; Elya Raba 551:46; Chida in Moreh Baetzba 8:239; Levushei Serud 551; Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 28; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:19; Aruch Hashulchan 551:22; Acharonim brought in M”B 426:11; and so is the Chabad custom, and so is the custom of world Jewry. [Kaf Hachaim 551:117; Levushei Serud ibid]

The reason: The reason for saying Kiddush Levana specifically on Motzei Tisha B’av is because that is the time Moshiach was born and the renewal of the moon represents that the Jewish people will return to a renewed state. [Kaf Hachaim 426:29 in name of Rav Chaim Vital]

Other Opinions-Ruling of Rama: Some Poskim rule one is not to say Kiddush Levana until Motzei Shabbos Nachamu. [Levushei Serud 549] The Rama 426:2 rules one is not to recite Kiddush Levana on Motzei Tisha B’av, or the Motzei of any fast. The reason for this is because one is not in a state of joy after a fast. [M”B 426:10] In 551:8 the Rama writes one is to say Kiddush Levana after Tisha B’av. The Taz [551:8] explains that the Rama does not mean to say one is to say it immediately after Tisha B’av, as this would be contradictory to his earlier ruling in 426:2. Rather he means that one is to say it the next day. The Kaf Hachaim [551:117] gives an alternative explanation of the Rama that here the Rama is stating the custom, that the custom is to recite Kiddush Levana on Motzei Tisha B’av while earlier in 426:2 the Rama was ruled based on the letter of the law. Aruch Hashulchan 551:22 rules unlike Rama for the reason that one may not receive another opportunity to say Kiddush Levana if he were to delay it pass Tisha B’av, as well as that one may not delay fulfilling a Mitzvah that he was given the opportunity to fulfill.

[4] M”B 426:11

[5] Chayeh Adam 118:15; M”B ibid

[6] Peri Chadash 426:2; P”M 554 A”A 1; M”B ibid

[7] Shaar Hatziyon 426:9 based on Elya Raba; Mateh Efraim 624:4