Kuntres Ohr Zarua

A Simplified Study of the Jewish Calendar

In this important work, Alexander Scharf sets out to elucidate the workings of the Jewish calendar — a subject that for too long has been reserved for those with a background in advanced mathematics and technical astronomy. While numerous scholarly works explore this essential topic, by and large they remain excessively complex, intricately detailed, and intimidating to the lay reader.
Kuntres Ohr Zarua was written to change that. With the same clarity and insight found in his previous work, Az Nidberu (an in-depth study of Sefer Devarim), the author has distilled the intricacies of the Jewish calendar into clear, intuitive step-by-step concepts, crafting a refreshingly enjoyable guide that demystifies the Jewish calendar’s sophisticated and daunting principles without sacrificing depth or accuracy, elucidating the Sod Ha’ibur with a clear and luminous path of understanding.
Whether you are seeking to understand the mathematics behind the molad, the mechanics for intercalation, the dynamic dating of Rosh Hashanah, the role of the Tekufos HaShanah, the mitzvah of birkas hachamah, or simply wish to construct your own luach, Kuntres Ohr Zarua will serve as an invaluable resource facilitating the mastering of one of Judaism’s most elegant and essential systems.