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Birkat Halevana: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Moon_phases.gif|thumb|Phases of the moon]]
[[File:Moon_phases.gif|thumb|Phases of the moon]]
During the beginning of the lunar month the moon is situated between the earth and the sun, thus causing the illuminated side of the moon to face away from the earth. A few days into the new month, the moon makes it's appearance, bigger and bigger until it reaches the full moon, when it then wanes again. Our Sages instituted that upon seeing the moon at it's first stages after renewal one is to recite a blessing called "Birkat Halevana".  
During the beginning of the lunar month the moon is situated between the earth and the sun, thus causing the illuminated side of the moon to face away from the earth. A few days into the new month, the moon makes it's appearance gradually until it reaches it's fullness, when it then wanes again. Our Sages instituted that upon seeing the moon at it's first stages after renewal one is to recite a blessing called '''Birkat Halevana''' (Hebrew: ברכת הלבנה, tran. ''Blessing of The Moon)'', or '''Kiddush Levana''' (Hebrew: ''קידוש לבנה'', trans. ''Sanctification of the Moon).''<ref>Some Ashkenazic greats termed this blessing "Kiddush Halevana, see for instance Maharil (Rosh Chodesh, Siman 9) and Rama 426:2. Rabbi Yosef Qafih (The Guide for the Perplexed, 2:5 fn. 15) however, writes that the name "Birkat Halevana" should be used as this is what is found in all earlier sources. </ref>


The Gemara Sanhedrin 42a says that saying Birkat HaLavana is like greeting the Shechina. Beiur Halacha 426:2 explains that by seeing the moon fulfill its mission consistently we recognize Hashem’s might and control over nature. He adds that to emphasize that we only pray to Hashem and the moon is just a tool by which we can recognize Hashem’s strength we say Aleinu afterwards. (See note for more about the significance of this Bracha.) <ref>Why did Chazal choose to make this Bracha on the moon specifically? Aruch HaShulchan 426:2 explains that since the moon is the closest to Earth we are able to recognize Hashem’s control over nature easily. Also, the moon is compared to Bnei Yisrael; just as the moon doesn’t have any of its own light, so too Bnei Yisrael are only sustained through Hashem and his Torah; just as the moon gets smaller and bigger, so too Bnei Yisrael are always renewed. </ref>
This monthly ritual is performed outdoors at night in the first half of the month, in which  this blessing along with a series of additional prayers are recited for the new moon.
 
The source of this blessing appears in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 42a) where the sages equate one who blesses the new moon on its proper time to one who greets the Divine Presence.<ref>Sanhedrin 42a. See Divrei Yatziv (Orach Chaim 278) for a discussion as to why this blessing is only first introduced here.  </ref> The commentators explain that by reciting the blessing of the new moon, one in essence recalls that it is God who created the universe. This realization is tantamount to experiencing the Divine Presence.<ref>Levush (426:1) explains that this blessing was specifically designated to the moon over other stars or planets because it is the moon that is closest to us on earth, easily enabling us to constantly recognize God's control over the universe. </ref>


==Basics==
==Basics==
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