עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it permitted to look at the moon?
Question
In one lecture, Rabbi Zamir Cohen said that it is not good to look at the moon, aside from during Kiddush Levanah. Why is it not good to look at it? After all, it is part of creation, which we are meant to enjoy.
Answer
Greetings and blessings
Since the moon today is not complete but rather diminished, this is a disgrace to the moon, and therefore one should not look at it.
In a broader explanation, the moon alludes to the Shekhinah, which today is diminished because of our sins, and only at the coming of Mashiach, and when the complete repair will take place, will the Shekhinah be repaired and the throne of Hashem be complete. And since the moon alludes to the blemish in the Shekhinah, it is not proper to look at the disgrace of the Shekhinah.
Wishing you success - Binyamin Shmueli
