[Avodah] Rambam Hilchot Kiddush Hachodesh

[Jonathan Traum]

On 12/09/2017 03:59 PM, Ben Waxman wrote:
> 1) Rambam Hilchot Kiddush Hachodesh 3:1 makes it clear that anyone who 
> sees the new moon and can get to Jerusalem by the following evening 
> should go. ...
> [snip]
> Is there any problem in making sure that you don't see the moon? Just 
> stay in for the evening. Rambam doesn't say that there is a chiyuv to 
> look.

I imagine that most people wouldn't have to worry about it.  On the 30th 
day after the previous Rosh Hodesh, the tiny crescent moon would only be 
visible for a short time after sunset and before moonset, and only to 
those who have an unobstructed view of the western horizon.

Jonathan Traum