ב"ה
Rambam - 3 Chapters a Day
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 12, Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 13, Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 14
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 12
1The mean distance traveled by the sun in one day—i.e., in twenty-four hours—is 59 minutes and 8 seconds; in symbols 59’ 8”.1 Thus, in ten days, it travels 9 degrees, 51 minutes and 23 seconds,2 in symbols 9° 51’ 23”. In one hundred days, it travels 98 degrees, 33 minutes and 53 seconds, in symbols 98° 33’ 53”. The remainder of the degrees traveled by the sun over the course of one thousand days—after all the multiples of 360 have been subtracted, as explained3 —is 265 degrees, 38 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 265° 38’ 50”. The remainder of the degrees traveled by the sun over the course of ten thousand days is 136 degrees, 28 minutes and 20 seconds, in symbols 136° 28’ 20”.אמַהַלַךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי בְּיוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁהוּא אַרְבַּע וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁעוֹת, תִּשְׁעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם נ"ט ח'. נִמְצָא מַהֲלָכָהּ בַּעֲשָׂרָה יָמִים, תֵּשַׁע מַעֲלוֹת וְאֶחָד וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וְשָׁלוֹשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם ט' נ"א כ"ג. וְנִמְצָא מַהֲלָכָהּ בְּמֵאָה יוֹם, שְׁמוֹנֶה וְתִשְׁעִים מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים וְשָׁלוֹשׁ וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם צ"ח ל"ג נ"ג. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכָהּ בְּאֶלֶף יוֹם, אַחַר שֶׁתַּשְׁלִיךְ כָּל שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ, מָאתַיִם וְחָמֵשׁ וְשִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם רס"ה ל"ח נ'. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכָהּ בַּעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים יוֹם, מֵאָה שֵׁשׁ וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם קל"ו כ"ח כ'.
In this manner, one can multiply the mean distance of a day and calculate the distance traveled by the sun over any number of days. Similarly, if one would like to make pre-calculated figures for the mean distance for two days, for three days, for four days, up to ten days, one may do so. Similarly, if one desires to make pre-calculated figures for the mean distance for twenty days, for thirty days, for forty days, until one hundred days, one may do so. These figures become evident once one knows the mean distance for a single day.וְעַל הַדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה תִּכְפֹּל וְתוֹצִיא מַהֲלָכָהּ לְכָל מִנְיָן שֶׁתִּרְצֶה. וְכֵן אִם תִּרְצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת סִימָנִין יְדוּעִים אֶצְלְךָ לְמַהֲלָכָהּ לִשְׁנֵי יָמִים, וְלִשְׁלוֹשָׁה, וּלְאַרְבָּעָה, עַד עֲשָׂרָה - תַּעֲשֶׂה. וְכֵן אִם תִּרְצֶה לִהְיוֹת לְךָ סִימָנִין יְדוּעִים מוּכָנִין לְמַהֲלָכָהּ לְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם, וְלִשְׁלוֹשִׁים, וּלאַרְבָּעִים, עַד מֵאָה - תַּעֲשֶׂה. וְדָבָר גָּלוּי הוּא וְיָדוּעַ, מֵאַחַר שֶׁיָּדַעְתָּ מַהַלַךְ יוֹם אֶחָד.
It would be proper for one to know and have prepared the mean distances traveled by the sun in 29 days, and in 354 days, the latter being the number of days in a lunar year when the months follow a regular pattern. This is called a regular year.4וְרָאוּי הוּא לִהְיוֹת מוּכָן וְיָדוּעַ אֶצְלְךָ, מַהַלָךְ אֶמְצַע הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לְתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם; וְלִשְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְאַרְבָּעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים יוֹם, שֶׁהֵן יְמֵי שְׁנַת הַלְּבָנָה בִּזְמָן שֶׁחֳדָשֶׁיהָ כְּסִדְרָן - וְהִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת 'שָׁנָה סְדוּרָה'.
When you have these figures prepared, it will be easy to calculate the visibility of the moon. For there are 29 full days from the night when the moon was sighted in one month to the night that it may be sighted in the following month. Similarly, each and every month, there will be a difference of 29 days between the nights on which the moon may be sighted, no more and no less.5 This is what concerns us, for our sole desire in these calculations is to know when the moon will be sighted.6שֶׁבִּזְמָן שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לְךָ אֶמְצָעִיּוֹת אֵלּוּ מוּכָנִין, יִהְיֶה הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן קַל עָלֶיךָ לִרְאִיַּת הַיָּרֵחַ, לְפִי שֶׁתִּשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם גְּמוּרִים מִלֵּיל הָרְאִיָּה עַד לֵיל הָרְאִיָּה שֶׁל חֹדֶשׁ הַבָּא. וְכֵן בְּכָל חֹדֶשׁ וְחֹדֶשׁ אֵין פָּחוֹת מִתִּשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם וְלֹא יָתֵר, שֶׁאֵין חֶפְצֵנוּ בְּכָל אֵלּוּ הַחֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת אֶלָא לָדַעַת הָרְאִיָּה בִּלְבָד.
Similarly, the difference in the sun’s position between the night when the moon will be sighted in a particular month one year and the night when it will be sighted in that month the following year will be that of a regular year, or that of a regular year plus one day.7וְכֵן מִלֵּיל הָרְאִיָּה שֶׁל חֹדֶשׁ זֶה עַד לֵיל הָרְאִיָּה לְאוֹתוֹ הַחֹדֶשׁ לַשָּׁנָה הַבָּאָה, שָׁנָה סְדוּרָה אוֹ שָׁנָה וְיוֹם אֶחָד. וְכֵן בְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה.
The mean distance traveled by the sun in one month is 28 degrees, 35 minutes and one second, in symbols 28° 35’ 1”. The distance it travels over the course of a regular lunar year is 348 degrees, 55 minutes and 15 seconds, in symbols 348° 55’ 15”.וּמַהְלַךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי לְתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם, שְׁמוֹנֶה וְעֶשְׂרִים מַעֲלוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים וּשְׁנִיָּה אַחַת - סִימָנָן כ"ח ל"ה א'. וּמַהֲלָכָהּ לְשָׁנָה סְדוּרָה, שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנֶה וְאַרְבָּעִים מַעֲלוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וְחָמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָן שמ"ח נ"ה ט"ו.
2There is one point in the orbit of the sun around the Earth—and similarly, in the orbits of the remainder of the seven stars around the Earth—when the sun or that star will be furthest removed from the Earth.8 With the exception of the moon, that point in the orbit of the sun and, similarly, in the orbit of the other planets rotates in a uniform pattern, traveling about one degree in seventy years.9בנְקֻדָּה אַחַת יֵשׁ בְּגַלְגַּל הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וְכֵן בִּשְׁאָר גַּלְגַּלֵּי הַשִּׁבְעָה כּוֹכָבִים, בְּעֵת שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הַכּוֹכָב בָּהּ, יִהְיֶה גָּבוֹהַּ מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ כָּל מְאוֹדוֹ. וְאוֹתָהּ הַנְּקֻדָּה שֶׁל גַלְגַּל הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וּשְׁאָר הַכּוֹכָבִים חוּץ מִן הַיָּרֵחַ, סוֹבֶבֶת בְּשָׁוֶה, וּמַהֲלָכָהּ בְּכָל שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה בְּקֵרוּב, מַעֲלָה אַחַת.
This point is referred to as the apogee.וּנְקֻדָּה זוֹ הִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת 'גֹּבַהּ'.
Accordingly, in ten days, the apogee of the sun travels one and a half seconds—i.e., a second and thirty thirds. Thus, in one hundred days, the apogee travels fifteen seconds. In one thousand days, it travels two minutes and thirty seconds, and in ten thousand days, 25 minutes. In twenty-nine days, it travels four seconds and a fraction. In a regular year, it travels 53 seconds.גֹּבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ - מַהַלָכוֹ בְּכָל עֲשָׂרָה יָמִים, שְׁנִיָּה אַחַת וַחֲצִי שְׁנִיָּה, שֶׁהִיא שְׁלוֹשִׁים שְׁלִישִׁיּוֹת; נִמְצָא מַהַלָכוֹ בְּמֵאָה יוֹם, חָמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִיּוֹת, וּמַהַלָכוֹ בְּאֶלֶף יוֹם, שְׁנֵי חֲלָקִים וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת; וּמַהַלָכוֹ בַּעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים יוֹם, חֲמִשָּׁה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים. וְנִמְצָא מַהַלָכוֹ לְתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם, אַרְבַּע שְׁנִיּוֹת; וּמַהַלָכוֹ בְּשָׁנָה סְדוּרָה, שָׁלוֹשׁ וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת.
As mentioned, the starting point for all our calculations is the eve of Thursday, the third of Nisan, 4938 years after creation. The position of the sun in terms of its mean distance on this date was 7 degrees, 3 minutes and 32 seconds in the constellation of Aries, in symbols 7° 3’ 32”. The apogee of the sun at this starting point was 26 degrees, 45 minutes and 8 seconds in the constellation of Gemini, in symbols 26° 45’ 8”.10כְּבָר אָמַרְנוּ שֶׁהָעִיקָר שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ הַהַתְחָלָה בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן זֶה, הוּא מִתְּחִלַּת לֵיל חֲמִישִׁי שֶׁיּוֹמוֹ שְׁלִישִׁי לְחֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן מִשְּׁנַת שְׁמוֹנֶה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים וּתְשַׁע מֵאוֹת וְאַרְבַּעַת אֲלָפִים לַיְּצִירָה. וּמָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּמַהֲלָכָהּ הָאֶמְצָעִי הָיָה בָּעִיקָר הַזֶּה, בְּשֶׁבַע מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה חֲלָקִים וּשְׁתַּיִם וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת מִמַּזַּל טָלֶה - סִימָנָן ז' ג' ל"ב. וּמָקוֹם גֹּבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָיָה בְּעִיקָר זֶה, בְּשֵׁשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים מַעֲלוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים וּשְׁמוֹנֶה שְׁנִיּוֹת מִמַּזַּל תְּאוֹמִים - סִימָנָם כ"ו מ"ה ח'.
Accordingly, if you desire to know the position of the sun according to its mean distance at any given time, you should calculate the number of days from the starting point mentioned until the particular day you desire, and determine the mean distance it traveled during these days according to the figures given previously, add the entire sum together, accumulating each unit of measure separately. The result is the mean position of the sun on that particular day.כִּשְׁתִּרְצֶה לֵידַע מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּמַהֲלָכָהּ הָאֶמְצָעִי בְּכָל זְמָן שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, תִּקַּח מִנְיַן הַיָּמִים שֶׁמִּתְּחִלַּת יוֹם הָעִיקָר עַד הַיּוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, וְתוֹצִיא מַהֲלָכָהּ הָאֶמְצָעִי בְּאוֹתָן הַיָּמִים מִן הַסִּימָנִין שֶׁהוֹדַעְנוּ; וְתוֹסִיף הַכֹּל עַל הָעִיקָר, וּתְקַבֵּץ כָּל מִין עִם מִינוֹ. וְהַיוֹצֵא, הוּא מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּמַהֲלָכָהּ הָאֶמְצָעִי לְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם.
For example, if we desired to determine the mean position of the sun at the beginning of the eve of the Sabbath on the fourteenth of the month of Tammuz of the present year, the starting point for these calculations, we should do the following: Calculate the number of days from the starting point until the date on which you desire to know the position of the sun. In this instance, it is one hundred days. The mean distance the sun travels in one hundred days is 98° 33’ 53”. We then add that to the starting point, which is 7° 3’ 32”, and arrive at a total of 105 degrees, 37 minutes and 25 seconds, in symbols 105° 37’ 25”.כֵּיצַד? הֲרֵי שֶׁרָצִינוּ לֵידַע מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל הַשַּׁבָּת שֶׁיּוֹמוֹ אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם לְחֹדֶשׁ תַּמּוּז מִשָּׁנָה זוֹ, שֶׁהִיא שְׁנַת הָעִיקָר - מָצִינוּ מִנְיַן הַיָּמִים מִיּוֹם הָעִיקָר עַד תְּחִלַּת יוֹם זֶה שֶׁאָנוּ רוֹצִים לֵידַע מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בּוֹ, מֵאָה יוֹם; לָקַחְנוּ אֶמְצַע מַהֲלָכָהּ לְמֵאָה יוֹם, שֶׁהוּא צ"ח ל"ג נ"ג, וְהוֹסַפְנוּ עַל הָעִיקָר, שֶׁהוּא ז' ג' ל"ב. יָצָא מִן הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן, מֵאָה וְחָמֵשׁ מַעֲלוֹת וְשִׁבְעָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים וְחָמֵשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָן ק"ה ל"ז כ"ה.
Thus, the sun’s mean position at the beginning of this night will be 15 degrees and 37 minutes of the sixteenth degree in the constellation of Cancer.וְנִמְצָא מְקוֹמָהּ בְּמַהַלָךְ אֶמְצָעִי בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל זֶה, בְּמַזַּל סַרְטָן בְּחָמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת בּוֹ וְשִׁבְעָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים מִמַּעֲלַת שֵׁשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה.
At times, the sun will be located in the mean position that can be determined using the above methods of calculation at the beginning of the night, and at times an hour before the setting of the sun, or an hour afterwards.11וְהָאֶמְצָע שֶׁיֵּצֵא בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן זֶה, פְּעָמִים יִהְיֶה בִּתְחִלַּת הַלַּיְלָה בְּשָׁוֶה, אוֹ קֹדֶם שְׁקִיעַת הַחַמָּה בְּשָׁעָה, אוֹ אַחַר שְׁקִיעַת הַחַמָּה בְּשָׁעָה.
This lack of definition concerning the sun’s position will not be of consequence with regard to calculating the visibility of the moon, for we will compensate for this approximation when calculating the mean position of the moon.12וְדָבָר זֶה לֹא תָחוּשׁ לוֹ בַּשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן הָרְאִיָּה, שֶׁהֲרֵי אָנוּ מַשְׁלִימִים קֵרוּב זֶה כְּשֶׁנְּחַשֵּׁב לְאֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ.
One should follow the same procedure at all times—for any date one desires, even if it is one thousand years in the future. When the mean distance traveled by the sun is calculated and the remainder after all the multiples of 360 have been subtracted is added to the figures of the starting point, you will arrive at the mean position.וְעַל הַדֶּרֶךְ הַזֹּאת תַּעֲשֶׂה תָּמִיד לְכָל עֵת שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, וַאֲפִלּוּ אַחַר אֶלֶף שָׁנִים - שֶׁתְּקַבֵּץ כָּל הַשְּׁאֵרִית וְתוֹסִיף עַל הָעִיקָר, יֵצֵא לְךָ הַמָּקוֹם הָאֶמְצָעִי.
The same principles apply regarding the mean position of the moon, or the mean position of any other planet. Once you know the distance it travels in a single day, and you know the starting point from which to begin calculations, total up the distance it travels throughout as many years or days as you desire, add that to the starting point, and you will arrive at its position according to its mean distance.וְכֵן תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּאֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ, וּבְאֶמְצַע כָּל כּוֹכָב וְכוֹכָב - מֵאַחַר שֶׁתֵּדַע מַהַלָכוֹ בְּיוֹם אֶחָד כַּמָּה הוּא, וְתֵדַע הָעִיקָר שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ תַּתְחִיל, וּתְקַבֵּץ מַהַלָכוֹ לְכָל הַשָּׁנִים וְהַיָּמִים שֶׁתִּרְצֶה וְתוֹסִיף עַל הָעִיקָר, וְיֵצֵא לְךָ מְקוֹמוֹ בְּמַהַלָךְ אֶמְצָעִי.
The same concepts apply regarding the apogee of the sun. Add to the starting point the distance it travels over the course of days or years, and you will know the position of the apogee of the sun for the day you desire.וְכֵן תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּגֹבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ - תּוֹסִיף מַהַלָכוֹ בְּאוֹתָם הַיָּמִים אוֹ הַשָּׁנִים עַל הָעִיקָר, יֵצֵא לְךָ מָקוֹם גֹּבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה.
Similarly, if you desire to establish another date as the starting point instead of the date which we have chosen to begin in this year, choosing a year that will be the beginning of a particular nineteen-year cycle, or that will be the beginning of a new century, you may. Similarly, if you would like to use as a starting point a date in the past, before the date given above, or a date many years in the future, the path to arrive at such a starting point is well known.וְכֵן אִם תִּרְצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת לְךָ עִיקָר אַחֵר שֶׁתַּתְחִיל מִמֶּנּוּ חוּץ מֵעִיקָר זֶה שֶׁהִתְחַלְנוּ מִמֶּנּוּ בְּשָׁנָה זוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אוֹתוֹ עִיקָר בִּתְחִלַּת שְׁנַת מַחְזוֹר יָדוּעַ, אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת מֵאָה מִן הַמֵּאוֹת - הָרְשׁוּת בְּיָדְךָ. וְאִם תִּרְצֶה לִהְיוֹת הָעִיקָר שֶׁתַּתְחִיל מִמֶּנּוּ מִשָּׁנִים שֶׁעָבְרוּ קֹדֶם עִיקָר זֶה, אוֹ לְאַחַר כַּמָּה שָׁנִים מֵעִיקָר זֶה - הַדֶּרֶךְ יְדוּעָה.
How is this figure to be calculated? We have already established the mean distance traveled by the sun in a regular year, in twenty- nine days, and in a single day. It is known that a year whose months13 are full is one day longer than a regular year. Similarly, a year whose months are lacking is one day shorter than a regular year.כֵּיצַד הִיא הַדֶּרֶךְ? כְּבָר יָדַעְתָּ מַהַלַךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לְשָׁנָה סְדוּרָה, וּמַהֲלָכָהּ לְתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם, וּמַהֲלָכָהּ לְיוֹם אֶחָד. וְדָבָר יָדוּעַ שֶׁהַשָּׁנָה שֶׁחֳדָשֶׁיהָ שְׁלֵמִים - הִיא יְתֵרָה עַל הַסְּדוּרָה יוֹם אֶחָד, וְהַשָּׁנָה שֶׁחֳדָשֶׁיהָ חֲסֵרִין - הִיא חֲסֵרָה מִן הַסְּדוּרָה יוֹם אֶחָד.
With regard to a leap year,14 if its months are regular, it will be thirty days longer than a regular year. If its months are full, it will be thirty-one days longer than a regular year. If its months are lacking, it will be twenty-nine days longer than a regular year.וְהַשָּׁנָה הַמְּעֻבֶּרֶת, אִם הָיוּ חֳדָשֶׁיהָ כְּסִדְרָן - תִּהְיֶה יְתֵרָה עַל הַשָּׁנָה הַסְּדוּרָה שְׁלוֹשִׁים יוֹם, וְאִם הָיוּ חֳדָשֶׁיהָ שְׁלֵמִים - הִיא יְתֵרָה עַל הַסְּדוּרָה אֶחָד וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים יוֹם, וְאִם הָיוּ חֳדָשֶׁיהָ חֲסֵרִין - הִיא יְתֵרָה עַל הַסְּדוּרָה תִּשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם.
Since these principles are already established, it is possible to calculate the mean distance traveled by the sun for as many years or as many days as you desire, and add it to the mean position of the sun on the date established previously as the starting point, and you will be able to determine the mean position of the sun for any future date. Afterwards, you can use that date as a starting point. Conversely, you may subtract the mean distance traveled by the sun over the course of a particular period from the mean position of the sun on the date established previously as the starting point, and you will be able to determine the mean position of the sun for any past date. Afterwards, you can use that date as a starting point. The same principles also apply with regard to the mean position of the moon or any of the other planets, if their mean positions on any particular date are known to you. It also should be apparent that just as it is possible to determine the mean position of the sun for any future date, so too, it is possible to determine its mean position for any previous date.וּמֵאַחַר שֶׁכָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלּוּ יְדוּעִים, תּוֹצִיא מַהַלַךְ אֶמְצַע הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לְכָל הַשָּׁנִים וְהַיָּמִים שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, וְתוֹסִיף עַל הָעִיקָר שֶׁעָשִׂינוּ - יֵצֵא לְךָ אֶמְצָעָהּ לְיוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה מִשָּׁנִים הַבָּאוֹת, וְתַעֲשֶׂה אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם עִיקָר; אוֹ תִּגְרַע הָאֶמְצָע שֶׁהוֹצֵאתָ מִן הָעִיקָר שֶׁעָשִׂינוּ, וְיֵצֵא לְךָ הָעִיקָר לְיוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה מִשָּׁנִים שֶׁעָבְרוּ, וְתַעֲשֶׂה אוֹתוֹ אֶמְצָע עִיקָר. וּכְזֶה תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּאֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ וּשְׁאָר הַכּוֹכָבִים, אִם יִהְיוּ יְדוּעִים לְךָ. וּכְבָר נִתְבָּאֵר לְךָ מִכְּלָל דְּבָרֵינוּ, שֶׁכְּשֵׁם שֶׁתֵּדַע אֶמְצַע הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לְכָל יוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה מִיָּמִים הַבָּאִים, כָּךְ תֵּדַע אֶמְצָעָהּ לְכָל יוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה מִיָּמִים שֶׁעָבְרוּ.
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 13
1The following method should be used if you wish to know the true position1 of the sun on any particular day you desire: First, it is necessary to calculate the mean position of the sun through the methods of calculation we have explained. Then calculate the position of the apogee of the sun.2 Afterwards, subtract the apogee of the sun from the mean position of the sun. The remainder is referred to as the course of the sun.3אאִם תִּרְצֶה לֵידַע מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֲמִתִּי בְּכָל יוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, תּוֹצִיא תְּחִלָּה מְקוֹמָהּ הָאֶמְצָעִי לְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם עַל הַדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ, וְתוֹצִיא מָקוֹם גֹּבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וְתִגְרַע מָקוֹם גֹּבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִמָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי. וְהַנִּשְׁאָר הוּא הַנִּקְרָא 'מַסְלוּל הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ'.
2The next step is to calculate the angular distance of the course of the sun.4 If the angular distance of the course is less than 180 degrees, one should subtract5 the angle determined by the course6 from the sun’s mean position.בוְתִרְאֶה כַּמָּה מַעֲלוֹת הוּא מַסְלוּל הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ: אִם יִהְיֶה הַמַּסְלוּל פָּחוֹת מִמֵּאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים מַעֲלוֹת - תִּגְרַע מְנַת הַמַּסְלוּל מִמָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי.
If the angular distance of the course is more than 180 degrees, one should add7 the angle determined by the course to the sun’s mean position. The figure remaining after making this addition or subtraction represents the sun’s true position.וְאִם יִהְיֶה הַמַּסְלוּל יוֹתֵר עַל מֵאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים מַעֲלוֹת עַד שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים - תּוֹסִיף מְנַת הַמַּסְלוּל עַל מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי. וּמַה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אַחַר שֶׁתּוֹסִיף עָלָיו אוֹ תִּגְרַע מִמֶּנּוּ, הוּא הַמָּקוֹם הָאֲמִתִּי.
3If the course of the sun is an even 180 degrees or an even 360 degrees, there will be no angle determined by the course to add or to subtract. Instead, the sun’s mean position is its true position.8גוְדַע שֶׁאִם יִהְיֶה הַמַּסְלוּל מֵאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים בְּשָׁוֶה, אוֹ שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים בְּשָׁוֶה - אֵין לוֹ מָנָה, אֶלָא יִהְיֶה הַמָּקוֹם הָאֶמְצָעִי הוּא הַמָּקוֹם הָאֲמִתִּי.
4What is the angle determined by the course? If the course is ten degrees, the resulting angle will be 20 minutes.דוְכַמָּה הִיא מְנַת הַמַּסְלוּל? אִם יִהְיֶה הַמַּסְלוּל עֶשֶׂר מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ עֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is twenty degrees, the resulting angle will be 40 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה עֶשְׂרִים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ אַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is thirty degrees, the resulting angle will be 58 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה שְׁלוֹשִׁים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ שְׁמוֹנָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is forty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 15 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה אַרְבָּעִים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וַחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים;
If the course is fifty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 29 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה חֲמִשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is sixty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 41 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה שִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְאֶחָד וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is seventy degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 51 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה שִׁבְעִים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְאֶחָד וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is eighty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 57 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה שְׁמוֹנִים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְשִׁבְעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is ninety degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 59 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה תִּשְׁעִים מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְתִשְׁעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 58 minutes.9וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה מַעֲלוֹת, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred ten degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 53 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וְעֶשֶׂר, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred twenty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 45 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred thirty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 33 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred forty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 19 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וְאַרְבָּעִים, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְתִשְׁעָה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred fifty degrees, the resulting angle will be 1 degree and 1 minute.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְחֵלֶק אֶחָד;
If the course is one hundred sixty degrees, the resulting angle will be 42 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וְשִׁשִּׁים, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ שְׁנַיִם וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is one hundred seventy degrees, the resulting angle will be 21 minutes.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וְשִׁבְעִים, תִּהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ אֶחָד וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים;
If the course is an even one hundred eighty degrees, it has no measure. Instead, its mean position is its true position, as we explained.וְאִם יִהְיֶה מֵאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים בְּשָׁוֶה, אֵין לוֹ מָנָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ, אֶלָא מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֶמְצָעִי הוּא מְקוֹמָהּ הָאֲמִתִּי.
5The following procedure should be used if the course of the sun is greater than one hundred eighty degrees: One should subtract the course from three hundred sixty degrees and calculate the resulting angle accordingly.10 What is implied? If the course is 200 degrees, that figure should be subtracted from 360 degrees, leaving a remainder of 160 degrees. Since you already know that the resulting angle of a course of 160 degrees is 42 minutes, that same figure will be the resulting angle of a course of 200 degrees.ההָיָה הַמַּסְלוּל יוֹתֵר עַל מֵאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים מַעֲלוֹת - תִּגְרַע אוֹתוֹ מִשְּׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת, וְתֵדַע מְנָתוֹ. כֵּיצַד? הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה הַמַּסְלוּל מָאתַיִם מַעֲלוֹת, תִּגְרַע אוֹתוֹ מִשְּׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים, יִשָּׁאֵר מֵאָה וְשִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת. וּכְבָר הוֹדַעְנוּ שֶׁמְּנָת מֵאָה וְשִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת, שְׁנַיִם וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים - וְכֵן מְנָת הַמָּאתַיִם, שְׁנַיִם וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים.
6Similarly, if the course was three hundred degrees, one should subtract that figure from three hundred sixty, leaving a remainder of sixty. Since you already know that the resulting angle of a course of 60 degrees is 1 degree and 41 minutes, that same figure will be the resulting angle of a course of 300 degrees. Similar procedures should be followed in calculating other figures.ווְכֵן אִם הָיָה הַמַּסְלוּל שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת מַעֲלוֹת - תִּגְרַע אוֹתוֹ מִשְּׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים, יִשָּׁאֵר שִׁשִּׁים. וּכְבָר יָדַעְתָּ שֶׁמְּנַת שִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת, מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְאֶחָד וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים - וְכֵן הִיא מְנַת הַשְּׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת מַעֲלוֹת. וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ בְּכָל מִנְיָן וּמִנְיָן.
7How is the angle determined by the course calculated when the course is an intermediate figure—e.g., 65 degrees? You already know that the resulting angle of 60 degrees is 1 degree and 41 minutes. And you know that the resulting angle of 70 degrees is 1 degree and 51 minutes. Thus, there are ten minutes between these two measures. Thus, an increase of a degree of the course will bring an increase of a minute in the resulting angle. Thus, the resulting angle of a course of 65 degrees will be 1 degree and 46 minutes.11זהֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה הַמַּסְלוּל חָמֵשׁ וְשִׁשִּׁים מַעֲלוֹת - וּכְבָר יָדַעְנוּ שֶׁמְּנַת הַשִּׁשִּׁים, הִיא מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְאֶחָד וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים, וּמְנַת הַשִּׁבְעִים, הִיא מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְאֶחָד וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים; נִמְצָא בֵּין שְׁתֵּי הַמָּנוֹת עֲשָׂרָה חֲלָקִים, וּלְפִי חֶשְׁבּוֹן הַמַּעֲלוֹת יִהְיֶה לְכָל מַעֲלָה חֵלֶק אֶחָד - וְיִהְיֶה מְנַת הַמַּסְלוּל שֶׁהוּא חָמֵשׁ וְשִׁשִּׁים, מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְשִׁשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים.
8Similarly, if the course was 67 degrees, the resulting angle would be 1 degree and 48 minutes.חוְכֵן אִלּוּ הָיָה הַמַּסְלוּל שֶׁבַע וְשִׁשִּׁים, הָיְתָה מְנָתוֹ מַעֲלָה אַחַת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וְאַרְבָּעִים חֵלֶק.
A similar procedure should be followed regarding any course that has both units and tens, both for calculations regarding the sun and for calculations regarding the moon.וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ תַּעֲשֶׂה בְּכָל מַסְלוּל שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּמִנְיָנוֹ אֲחָדִים עִם הָעֲשָׂרוֹת, בֵּין בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בֵּין בִּשְׁאָר חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת הַיָּרֵחַ.
9To apply these principles: Should we desire to know the true position of the sun at the beginning of Friday night, the fourteenth of Tammuz for this present year: First, we should calculate the mean position of the sun for this time, which is, as explained,12 105° 37’ 25”. We should then calculate the apogee of the sun at this time, which is 86° 45’ 23”. When the apogee is subtracted from the mean position, the remainder, the course of the sun, will be 18 degrees, 52 minutes and 2 seconds, in symbols 18° 52’ 2 “.טכֵּיצַד? הֲרֵי שֶׁרָצִינוּ לֵידַע מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֲמִתִּי בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל הַשַּׁבָּת אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם לְחֹדֶשׁ תַּמּוּז מִשָּׁנָה זוֹ - תּוֹצִיא אֶמְצַע הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ תְּחִלָּה לָעֵת הַזֹּאת, וְסִימָנוֹ ק"ה ל"ז כ"ה כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ; וְתוֹצִיא מָקוֹם גֹּבַהּ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לָעֵת הַזֹּאת, יֵצֵא לָךְ סִימָנוֹ כ"ו מ"ה כ"ג. וְתִגְרַע מָקוֹם הַגֹּבַהּ מִן הָאֶמְצָע, יֵצֵא לָךְ הַמַּסְלוּל שְׁמוֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁנַיִם וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וּשְׁתֵּי שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם י"ח נ"ב ב'.
With regard to the course of the sun, the minutes are of no consequence. If they are less than thirty, they should be disregarded entirely. If they are more than thirty, they should be considered an additional degree and added to the sum of the degrees.וְאַל תַּקְפִּיד בְּכָל מַסְלוּל עַל הַחֲלָקִים, אֶלָא אִם יִהְיוּ פָּחוֹת מִשְּׁלוֹשִׁים אַל תִּפְנֶה אֲלֵיהֶם; וְאִם הָיוּ שְׁלוֹשִׁים אוֹ יוֹתֵר, תַּחְשֹׁב אוֹתָם מַעֲלָה אַחַת, וְתוֹסִיף אוֹתָהּ עַל מִנְיַן מַעֲלוֹת הַמַּסְלוּל.
Accordingly, it should be considered as if there are 19 degrees in this course. The resulting angle of such a course can be calculated to be 38 minutes in the manner that we explained.לְפִיכָךְ יִהְיֶה מַסְלוּל זֶה תְּשַׁע עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת, וְתִהְיֶה מְנָתוֹ עַל הַדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ שְׁמוֹנָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים.
10Since the course is less than 180 degrees, the resulting angle of the course, 38 minutes, should be subtracted from the mean position of the sun, leaving a remainder of 104 degrees, 59 minutes and 25 seconds, in figures 104° 59’ 25”.יוּלְפִי שֶׁהַמַּסְלוּל הַזֶּה הָיָה פָּחוֹת מִמֵּאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים, תִּגְרַע הַמָּנָה שֶׁהִיא שְׁמוֹנָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים מֵאֶמְצַע הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, יִשָּׁאֵר מֵאָה וְאַרְבַּע מַעֲלוֹת וְתִשְׁעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וְחָמֵשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם ק"ד נ"ט כ"ה.
Thus, the true position of the sun at the beginning of this night will be fifteen degrees less 35 seconds in the constellation of Cancer.וְנִמְצָא מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ הָאֲמִתִּי בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל זֶה, בְּמַזַּל סַרְטָן בְּחָמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת בּוֹ, פָּחוֹת שְׁנִיּוֹת.
One need not pay attention to the seconds at all, neither with regard to the position of the sun, nor with regard to the position of the moon, nor in any other calculations regarding the sighting of the moon. Instead, if the number of seconds is approximately13 thirty or more, they should be considered a minute, and added to the sum of the minutes.וְאַל תִּפְנֶה אֶל הַשְּׁנִיּוֹת כְּלָל, לֹא בְּמָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וְלֹא בְּמָקוֹם הַיָּרֵחַ, וְלֹא בִּשְׁאָר חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת הָרְאִיָּה - אֶלָא חֲקֹר עַל הַחֲלָקִים בִּלְבָד. וְאִם יִהְיוּ הַשְּׁנִיּוֹת קָרוֹב לִשְׁלוֹשִׁים, עֲשֵׂה אוֹתָם חֵלֶק וְהוֹסִיפוֹ עַל הַחֲלָקִים.
11Since you are able to calculate the location of the sun on any desired date, you will be able to calculate the true date of the equinox or solstice for any equinox or solstice you desire,14 whether for the equinoxes or solstices that will take place in the future, after the date we established as a starting point, or for the equinoxes or solstices that have taken place in previous years.יאוּמֵאַחַר שֶׁתֵּדַע מָקוֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, תֵּדַע יוֹם הַתְּקוּפָה הָאֲמִתִּי כָּל תְּקוּפָה שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, בֵּין תְּקוּפוֹת הַבָּאוֹת אַחַר עִיקָר זֶה שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ הִתְחַלְנוּ, בֵּין תְּקוּפוֹת שֶׁעָבְרוּ מִשָּׁנִים קַדְמוֹנִיּוֹת.
Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 14
1There are two mean rates of progress that are significant with regard to the moon, for the moon revolves in a small orbit that does not encompass the earth. Its mean progress within this orbit is referred to as the mean within its path. The small orbit within which the moon revolves itself rotates in a larger orbit that encompasses the earth.1 The mean progress of the small orbit within the large orbit that encompasses the earth is referred to as the moon’s mean. The rate of progress for the moon’s mean in one day is 13 degrees, 10 minutes and 35 seconds, in symbols 13° 10’ 35”.2אהַיָּרֵחַ, שְׁנֵי מַהֲלָכִים אֶמְצָעִיִּים יֵשׁ לוֹ. הַיָּרֵחַ עַצְמוֹ מְסַבֵּב בְּגַלְגַּל קָטָן שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַקִּיף אֶת הָעוֹלָם, וּמַהֲלָכוֹ הָאֶמְצָעִי בְּאוֹתוֹ הַגַּלְגַּל הַקָּטָן נִקְרָא אֶמְצַע הַמַּסְלוּל; וְהַגַּלְגַּל הַקָּטָן עַצְמוֹ מְסַבֵּב בְּגַלְגַּל גָּדוֹל הַמַּקִּיף אֶת הָעוֹלָם, וּמַהֲלָךְ אֶמְצָעִי זֶה שֶׁל גַּלְגַּל הַקָּטָן בְּאוֹתוֹ הַגַּלְגַּל הַגָּדוֹל הַמַּקִּיף אֶת הָעוֹלָם הוּא הַנִּקְרָא אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ. וּמַהַלַךְ אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת וַעֲשָׂרָה חֲלָקִים וְחָמֵשׁ וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם י"ג י' ל"ה.
2Thus, its progress in ten days will be 131 degrees, 45 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 131° 45’ 50”. The remainder of the sum3 of its progress in one hundred days will be 237 degrees, 38 minutes and 23 seconds, in symbols 237° 38’ 23”.4בנִמְצָא מַהֲלָכוֹ בַּעֲשָׂרָה יָמִים, מֵאָה וְאַחַת וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים מַעֲלוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם קל"א מ"ה נ'. וְנִמְצָא מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּמֵאָה יוֹם, מָאתַיִם וְשֶׁבַע וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים וְשָׁלוֹשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם רל"ז ל"ח כ"ג.
The remainder of the sum of its progress in one thousand days is 216 degrees, 23 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 216° 23’ 50”. The remainder of the sum of its progress in ten thousand days is 3 degrees, 58 minutes and 20 seconds, in symbols 3° 58’ 20”. The remainder of the sum of its progress in twenty-nine days is 22 degrees, 6 minutes and 56 seconds, in symbols 22° 6’ 56”.5 The remainder of the sum of its progress in a regular year is 344 degrees, 26 minutes and 43 seconds, in symbols 344° 26’ 43”. Following these guidelines, you can multiply these figures for any number of days or years you desire.וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּאֶלֶף יוֹם, מָאתַיִם וְשֵׁשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם רי"ו כ"ג נ'. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בַּעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים יוֹם, שָׁלוֹשׁ מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם ג' נ"ח כ'. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם, שְׁתַּיִם וְעֶשְׂרִים מַעֲלוֹת וְשִׁשָּׁה חֲלָקִים וְשֵׁשׁ וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם כ"ב ו' נ"ו. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּשָׁנָה סְדוּרָה, שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְאַרְבַּע וְאַרְבָּעִים מַעֲלוֹת וְשִׁשָּׁה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים וְשָׁלוֹשׁ וְאַרְבָּעִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָן לָהֶם שמ"ד כ"ו מ"ג. וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ זוֹ תִּכְפֹּל לְכָל מִנְיַן יָמִים אוֹ שָׁנִים שֶׁתִּרְצֶה.
3The distance travelled by the mean within its path in a single day is 13 degrees, 3 minutes and 54 seconds, in symbols 13° 3’ 54”.6 Thus, its progress in ten days will be 130 degrees, 39 minutes and no seconds, in symbols 130° 39’. The remainder of the sum of its progress in one hundred days will be 226 degrees, 29 minutes and 53 seconds, in symbols 226° 29’ 53”.7 The remainder of the sum of its progress in one thousand days is 104 degrees, 58 minutes and 50 seconds, in symbols 104° 58’ 50”. The remainder of the sum of its progress in ten thousand days is 329 degrees, 48 minutes and 20 seconds, in symbols 329° 48’ 20”. The remainder of the sum of its progress in twenty-nine days is 18 degrees, 53 minutes and 4 seconds, in symbols 18° 53’ 4”.גוּמַהֲלַךְ אֶמְצַע הַמַּסְלוּל בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, שְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה חֲלָקִים וְאַרְבַּע וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם י"ג ג' נ"ד. נִמְצָא מַהֲלָכוֹ בַּעֲשָׂרָה יָמִים, מֵאָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים מַעֲלוֹת תִּשְׁעָה וּשְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים בְּלֹא שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם ק"ל ל"ט. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּמֵאָה יוֹם, מָאתַיִם וְשֵׁשׁ וְעֶשְׂרִים מַעֲלוֹת וְתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים וְשָׁלוֹשׁ וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם רכ"ו כ"ט נ"ג. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּאֶלֶף יוֹם, מֵאָה וְאַרְבַּע מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וַחֲמִשִּׁים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם ק"ד נ"ח נ'. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בַּעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים יוֹם, שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְתֵשַׁע וְעֶשְׂרִים מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וְאַרְבָּעִים חֲלָקִים וְעֶשְׂרִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם שכ"ט מ"ח כ'. וְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּתִשְׁעָה וְעֶשְׂרִים יוֹם, שְׁמוֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים חֲלָקִים וְאַרְבַּע שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם י"ח נ"ג ד'.
4The remainder of the sum of its progress in a regular year is 305 degrees, no minutes and 13 seconds, in symbols 305° 13”.8 The position of the moon’s mean on Wednesday night, the third of Nisan, 4938, the starting point for these calculations, was 1 degree, 14 minutes and 43 seconds, in figures 1° 14’ 43”, in the constellation of Taurus. The mean within its path at this date was 84 degrees, 28 minutes and 42 seconds, in symbols 84° 28’ 42”. Since you know the mean rate of progress for the moon’s mean, and you know its position on the date of the starting point, you will be able to calculate the position of the moon’s mean on any date that you desire, as you did with regard to the mean position of the sun. After calculating the position of the moon’s mean on the beginning of the night that you desire, the next step in calculating where the moon can be sighted is to focus on the sun and see the constellation in which it will be located at that time.9דוְנִמְצָא שְׁאֵרִית מַהֲלָכוֹ בְּשָׁנָה סְדוּרָה, שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וְחָמֵשׁ מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִיּוֹת בְּלֹא חֵלֶק - סִימָנָם ש"ה י"ג. מָקוֹם אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ הָיָה בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל חֲמִישִׁי שֶׁהוּא הָעִיקָר לְחֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹת אֵלּוּ, בְּמַזַּל שׁוֹר מַעֲלָה אַחַת וְאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים וְאַרְבָּעִים וְשָׁלוֹשׁ שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם א' י"ד מ"ג. וְאֶמְצַע הַמַּסְלוּל הָיָה בְּעִיקָר זֶה, אַרְבַּע וּשְׁמוֹנִים מַעֲלוֹת וּשְׁמוֹנָה וְעֶשְׂרִים חֲלָקִים וּשְׁתַּיִם וְאַרְבָּעִים שְׁנִיּוֹת - סִימָנָם פ"ד כ"ח מ"ב. מֵאַחַר שֶׁתֵּדַע מַהַלַךְ אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ, וְהָאֶמְצָע שֶׁהוּא הָעִיקָר שֶׁעָלָיו תּוֹסִיף, תֵּדַע מָקוֹם אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ בְּכָל יוֹם שֶׁתִּרְצֶה, עַל דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ בְּאֶמְצַע הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ; וְאַחַר שֶׁתּוֹצִיא אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ לִתְחִלַּת הַלַּיְלָה שֶׁתִּרְצֶה - הִתְבּוֹנֵן בַּשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וְדַע בָּאֵיזֶה מַזָּל הוּא.
5If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Pisces and midway in the constellation of Aries, the moon’s mean should be left without emendation.10 If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Aries and the beginning of the constellation of Gemini, 15 minutes should be added to the moon’s mean.11 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Gemini and the beginning of the constellation of Leo, 30 minutes should be added to the moon’s mean.12 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Leo and midway in the constellation of Virgo, 15 minutes should be added to the moon’s mean.13 If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Virgo and midway in the constellation of Libra, the moon’s mean should be left without emendation.14 If the sun is located between midway in the constellation of Aries and the beginning of the constellation of Sagittarius, 15 minutes should be subtracted from the moon’s mean.15 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Sagittarius and the beginning of the constellation of Aquarius, 30 minutes should be subtracted from the moon’s mean.16 If the sun is located between the beginning of the constellation of Aquarius and midway in the constellation of Pisces, 15 minutes should be subtracted from the moon’s mean.17האִם הָיְתָה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מֵחֲצִי מַזַּל דָּגִים עַד חֲצִי מַזַּל טָלֶה, תַּנִּיחַ אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ כְּמוֹת שֶׁהוּא; וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מֵחֲצִי מַזַּל טָלֶה עַד תְּחִלַּת מַזַּל תְּאוֹמִים, תּוֹסִיף עַל אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִתְּחִלַּת מַזַּל תְּאוֹמִים עַד תְּחִלַּת מַזַּל אַרְיֵה, תּוֹסִיף עַל אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ שְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים; וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִתְּחִלַּת מַזַּל אַרְיֵה עַד חֲצִי מַזַּל בְּתוּלָה, תּוֹסִיף עַל אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים; וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מֵחֲצִי מַזַּל בְּתוּלָה עַד חֲצִי מַזַּל מֹאזְנַיִם, הַנַּח אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ כְּמוֹת שֶׁהוּא; וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מֵחֲצִי מֹאזְנַיִם עַד תְּחִלַּת מַזַּל קַשָּׁת, תִּגְרַע מֵאֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים; וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִתְּחִלַּת מַזַּל קַשָּׁת עַד תְּחִלַּת מַזַּל דְּלִי, תִּגְרַע מֵאֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ שְׁלוֹשִׁים חֲלָקִים; וְאִם תִּהְיֶה הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִתְּחִלַּת מַזַּל דְּלִי עַד חֲצִי דָּגִים, תִּגְרַע מֵאֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר חֲלָקִים.
6The figure that remains after these additions or subtractions have been made, or when the mean was left without emendation, is the mean of the moon approximately 20 minutes after the setting of the sun18 for the time when this mean was calculated. This is referred to as the mean of the moon at the time of the sighting.וומַה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הָאֶמְצָע אַחַר שֶׁתּוֹסִיף עָלָיו, אוֹ תִּגְרַע מִמֶּנּוּ, אוֹ תַּנִּיחַ אוֹתוֹ כְּמוֹת שֶׁהוּא - הוּא אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ לְאַחַר שְׁקִיעַת הַחַמָּה בִּכְמוֹ שְׁלִישׁ שָׁעָה בְּאוֹתוֹ הַזְּמָן שֶׁתּוֹצִיא הָאֶמְצָע לוֹ, וְזֶה הוּא הַנִּקְרָא אֶמְצַע הַיָּרֵחַ לִשְׁעַת הָרְאִיָּה.
Test Yourself on Kiddush HaChodesh Chapter 12
Test Yourself on Kiddush HaChodesh Chapter 13
Test Yourself on Kiddush HaChodesh Chapter 14
Footnotes for Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 12
1.
Since the sun travels throughout the entire 360° sphere over the course of a solar year, and a year is slightly longer than 365 days, the daily distance the sun travels is slightly less than one degree—more precisely, 59 minutes, 8 seconds and 19.8 thirds. Although the Rambam does not mention the thirds in this figure, he includes them in his subsequent calculations.
2.
When performing simple multiplication, the sum appears to be three seconds less. These three seconds have been added because of the inclusion of the multiples of the thirds, as mentioned in the previous note. Similarly, in subsequent calculations the Rambam also adds the multiples of the thirds.
3.
See Chapter 11, Halachah 10.
4.
See Chapter 8, Halachah 6, which explains that a year in which all the months follow in order, one full and one lacking, is referred to as a regular year.
5.
A lunar month is slightly longer than 29 days. Therefore, potential witnesses endeavor to sight the moon in the heavens on the night between the twenty-ninth and thirtieth days.
6.
Indeed, many of the subsequent calculations mentioned by the Rambam may be accurate only on the first night of the month and may not be accurate on the subsequent nights.
7.
The one day is added when both the months of Marcheshvan and Kislev are full. The commentaries raise the question why the Rambam does not mention the possibility of the year being lacking a day, as occurs when Marcheshvan and Kislev are both lacking.
8.
As stated in Chapter 11, Halachah 13, the Earth is not in the exact center of the orbits of the sun, the moon, or the other five planets. Therefore, there is one point in their orbits where they are furthest removed from the Earth. The knowledge of the location of this point is significant in calculating the true position of the sun, as will be explained in the following chapter.
9.
As the Rambam mentions in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 3:3, not only do the sun and the stars move in their orbits, the orbits themselves move in the heavens. This movement can be seen most clearly by charting the movement of the apogee, the point in the orbit furthest from the Earth. The movement of the sun’s orbit and similarly, that of the other stars, is relatively slow. The moon’s orbit, by contrast, is moving at a much faster pace, as mentioned in the notes on Chapter 14, Halachah 1.
10.
Since more than 800 years have passed since the composition of the Mishneh Torah, the apogee of the sun has moved approximately twelve degrees and is presently located in the constellation of Cancer.
11.
Since, as explained in the previous chapter, the mean distance does not represent the place where the sun can actually be seen in the sky, there will be a slight discrepancy. The mean position represents the sun’s position at 6 PM. During the summer months, the sun will reach that position before sunset, and during the winter months, it will reach that position after sunset.
12.
See the conclusion of Chapter 14.
13.
I.e., both Marcheshvan and Kislev.
14.
See Chapter 6, Halachah 11, which relates that seven of the years in a nineteen-year cycle are leap years, and states which of these years will be leap years.
Footnotes for Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 13
1.
As stated in Chapter 11, the true position of the sun refers to the position at which it is seen in the heavenly sphere. The difference between the sun’s true position and its mean position stems from the fact that the Earth is not located at the exact center of the sun’s orbit.
2.
The method through which both these figures can be calculated is stated in the previous chapter.
3.
I.e., the path the sun has traveled in its orbit from the apogee until it reached its present position.
4.
The course of the sun is an arc extending from the mean position of the sun to its apogee. The angular distance of the course is derived by drawing straight lines from the mean position and the apogee to the center of the sun’s orbit. If the apogee of the sun were located at O°, the angular distance of the course and the sun’s mean position would be the same. Since, however, the apogee also moves within the heavenly sphere, there is a variance between these two figures.
5.
Before the sun reaches the perigee, the point in its orbit that is closest to the Earth, its true position will always be less than its mean position. Hence, the angle referred to as the angle [determined by the] course must be subtracted from its mean position to arrive at the true position.
6.
The angle [determined by the] course refers to the extent of the deviation between the position of the sun that can be observed in the sky and its mean position. The manner of determining this figure is described in Halachah 4.
To express these concepts in geometric terms: The sun’s true position represents the angle at which it can be found in the sphere of the heavens of which the Earth is the center (c). When the angle that is called the angle [determined by the] course (a) is added to this angle, the sum is equivalent to the angle of the course of the sun (b). How is this figure derived? Refer to the accompanying diagram: The sum of the angles of the triangle a, c, and d equals 180°, and the angles b and d equal 180°. Hence, b equals c a. Thus, the true position of the sun is equivalent to its mean position minus the figure referred to as the angle [determined by the] course. Thus, when the course is less than 180 degrees, the sun’s true position is always a small amount less than its mean position.
7.
When the sun passes the perigee, its true position will always be greater than its mean position. Hence, the angle referred to as the angle [determined by the] course must be added to its mean position to arrive at the true position. Why is this so? Refer to the following diagram: d refers to the true position of the sun, b to its mean position and a to the angle referred to as the angle [determined by the] course. E to its true position minus 180° and f refers to its mean position minus 180°. a + f + c equals 180. E + c equals 180. Thus, a + f equals e. Hence, the mean position plus the angle [determined by the] course will be equal to the true position.
8.
I.e., when the sun is at the apogee or perigee, there will be one straight line between the Earth (the center of the heavenly sphere), the center of the sun’s orbit, and the actual position of the sun.
9.
The largest angle determined by the course is when the angular distance of the course itself is 96 degrees—i.e., shortly after the mean position of the sun passes directly above the center of its orbit. After this point is reached, the angle begins to decrease. Significantly, the rate of the decrease does not correspond exactly to the rate of increase as the angles approach 96 degrees. The reason for this difference is that, as stated above, the position of the Earth is not at the center of the sun’s orbit. Hence, at 100 and 80 degrees, although the mean position of the sun has moved an equal distance from the center of its orbit, it has moved different distances from the Earth.
10.
Thus, our computations will be based on the negative of the angle measured previously. To put the Rambam’s statements in layman’s terms: The angle formed will be the same regardless of whether the mean position of the sun is measured in an increase from O° or a decrease from 360°.
11.
Although the correspondence between the angular length of the course and the angle [determined by the] course is not uniform over a large span, within a span of ten degrees the difference between the actual figure and the approximation arrived at by the Rambam is not of consequence.
12.
Chapter 12, Halachah 2.
13.
The commentaries have questioned the Rambam’s use of the word “approximately.” Our bracketed additions are made in that light.
14.
The calculation of the equinoxes and solstices is significant with regard to the determination of the calendar, as explained in Chapters 9 and 10. Since the vernal (spring) equinox takes place when, according to the sun’s true motion, it enters the constellation of Aries, the date on which that takes place can be calculated for any particular year. Similarly, the summer solstice takes place when, according to the sun’s true motion, it enters the constellation of Cancer, and that date can be calculated. Similar concepts apply regarding the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
Footnotes for Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 14
1.
As mentioned in Chapter 11, the rate of the advance of the sun, the moon, and the other planets does not appear to be uniform. For the sun, the deviation is relatively minor and can be resolved by postulating that the Earth is not at the center of the sun’s orbit. The deviations of the moon from its mean rate of advance, however, are larger than that of the sun, and more irregular. (According to modern science, these deviations result from the gravitational pull of the sun and other celestial bodies.) To resolve this difficulty, some ancient astronomers postulated that with regard to the moon, two orbits were involved: One orbit encompassed the Earth, although the Earth was not at its center. Around this orbit existed one (and according to some opinions, more than one) smaller orbit, within which the moon rotated. This smaller orbit is referred to as an epicycle. Because of the moon’s position in this smaller orbit, it would appear to be either ahead of or behind the mean position of the center of this orbit.
2.
This refers to the rate of progress that is apparent to an observer on the Earth. In theory, however, this figure is a result of two different motions. The entire orbit of the moon is moving in the heavens. (The orbit of the sun is also moving, as reflected in the movement of the sun’s apogee, as mentioned in Chapter 12, Halachah 2. The sun’s orbit is moving at a very slow pace, one and a half seconds a day. In contrast, the moon’s orbit moves much faster, slightly more than 11 degrees each day. This movement is from east to west, opposite to the movement of the heavenly sphere.) Within this larger orbit revolves the epicycle, the smaller orbit around which the moon revolves. The epicycle is revolving at approximately 24 1/2 degrees a day, from west to east. Thus, an observer on the Earth would see the epicycle as moving 13 degrees and a fraction (i.e., 24 1/2—11 1/5) forward (eastward) in the heavenly sphere every day, as the Rambam states.
3.
I.e., after the multiples of 360 have been subtracted.
4.
It appears that the Rambam has added three seconds. This addition was made because the rate of progress also includes three thirds not mentioned in the original figure, but included in this calculation.
5.
On this basis, we can understand why a lunar month is slightly longer than 29 1/2 days. The mean distance traveled by the sun in 29 days is approximately 28 1/2 degrees (Chapter 12, Halachah 1), approximately 6 1/2 degrees more than the remainder of the progress of the moon’s mean. This distance (and the additional approximately almost half a degree traveled by the sun during this time) is travelled by the moon’s mean in slightly longer than twelve hours on the following day.
6.
This distance is figured east to west, opposite to the movement of the heavenly sphere.
7.
It appears that the Rambam has subtracted seven seconds. This subtraction was carried out because his figure for the rate of progress had been rounded off. In fact, the rate is seven thirds less than the figure mentioned originally. The lack of these thirds was taken into consideration in this calculation.
8.
Although we have followed the standard printed text of the Mishneh Torah and included this paragraph in Halachah 4, it is clearly part of the previous halachah.
9.
As mentioned in Chapter 12, Halachah 2, and notes, the sun does not always reach its mean position at sunset. In the summer, when the days are longer, it reaches its mean position slightly earlier, and in the winter slightly later. In the following halachah, the Rambam states the values that allow us to compensate for these differences.
10.
This corresponds to the month of Nisan, the time of the vernal equinox, when the sun sets at approximately 6 PM.
11.
This corresponds to the beginning of the summer, when the days are longer. Since the moon is moving slightly more than thirteen degrees per day away from the sun, its rate of progress per hour is thus slightly more than 30 minutes. When the sun’s rate of progress per hour—for it is moving (eastward) in the same direction as the moon—is also taken into consideration, it is proper to consider the moon’s progress as thirty minutes per hour. Thus, the Rambam is saying that in these months, the sun will set approximately half an hour after 6 PM.
12.
This corresponds to the middle of the summer, the longest days of the year. To compensate for the further delay in the setting of the sun, an additional fifteen minutes should be added to the moon’s mean. [It must be noted that the number 30 in our translation is based on authentic manuscripts of the Mishneh Torah.]
13.
At this time of year, the summer days are beginning to become shorter.
14.
This corresponds to the month of Tishrei, the time of the autumnal equinox, when the sun sets at approximately 6 PM. Hence, there is no need to adjust the position of the moon’s mean.
15.
This represents the beginning of the winter, when the sun sets at an earlier time. Hence, rather than add minutes to the moon’s mean, we subtract them.
16.
This period represents the middle of the winter, the shortest days of the year. To compensate for the further precipitance of the setting of the sun, an additional fifteen minutes should be subtracted from the moon’s mean.
17.
At this point, the days are beginning to get longer. Therefore, only a fifteen-minute adjustment is necessary.
18.
This is the time when the stars begin to appear in Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbi Eliyahu Touger is a noted author and translator, widely published for his works on Chassidut and Maimonides.
Published and copyright by Moznaim Publications, all rights reserved.
To purchase this book or the entire series, please click here.
To purchase this book or the entire series, please click here.
The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.
Vowelized Hebrew text courtesy Torat Emet under CC 2.5 license.
The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.
