Birkat Halevana: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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. Aruch Hashulchan 426:2 also cites this reason. Additionally, Hegyonei Haparsha Shemot p. 133 quotes the To'ameha Chayim (Rosh Chodesh n. 8) as explaining that we recite birkat halevana on the moon and no other star as an appeasement of the moon for being minimized by Hashem in the beginning of creation (Rashi Beresheet 1:16). </ref> | 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. Aruch Hashulchan 426:2 also cites this reason. C.f. Sefer Hachinuch 403 for a similar idea. Additionally, Hegyonei Haparsha Shemot p. 133 quotes the To'ameha Chayim (Rosh Chodesh n. 8) as explaining that we recite birkat halevana on the moon and no other star as an appeasement of the moon for being minimized by Hashem in the beginning of creation (Rashi Beresheet 1:16). </ref> | ||
==Basics== | ==Basics== | ||
