Birkat Halevana: Difference between revisions
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{{Good}} | {{Good}}[[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 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> | 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> | ||
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==Basics== | ==Basics== | ||
# | #The text of this blessing as appears in the Talmud reads: Blessed are you God.. Who renews the months, etc.<ref>Sanhedrin, ibid. Shulchan Aruch 426:1 </ref> This blessing is to be recited with great intent and devotion. | ||
#The bracha is made while standing.<ref>Gemara Sanhedrin 42a, Rama 426:1</ref> | #The bracha is made while standing.<ref>Gemara Sanhedrin 42a, Rama 426:1</ref> | ||
#The bracha is made immediately upon seeing the moon and during the bracha and afterwards some say that one shouldn't look at the moon.<ref>Mishna Brurah 425:13 citing the Magen Avraham</ref> | #The bracha is made immediately upon seeing the moon and during the bracha and afterwards some say that one shouldn't look at the moon.<ref>Mishna Brurah 425:13 citing the Magen Avraham</ref> | ||
