Birkat Halevana: Difference between revisions
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#If one made Birkat HaLevana without looking at the moon but said it as part of the tzibbur, one fulfills their obligation bedieved.<ref>Birkat Eitan (Birkat Levana pg 200), Sefer [[Kiddish]] Levana (2 note 20) in name of Rav Elyashiv, Halichot Shlomo 15:13, Even Yisrael 426:1, Sh"t Shevet HaLevi Y"D 5:125(4) </ref> | #If one made Birkat HaLevana without looking at the moon but said it as part of the tzibbur, one fulfills their obligation bedieved.<ref>Birkat Eitan (Birkat Levana pg 200), Sefer [[Kiddish]] Levana (2 note 20) in name of Rav Elyashiv, Halichot Shlomo 15:13, Even Yisrael 426:1, Sh"t Shevet HaLevi Y"D 5:125(4) </ref> | ||
== | ==Explanation of the Text== | ||
#The text of this blessing as appears in the Talmud, reads: Blessed are you God.. Who with his utterance created the heavens.. Who renews the months, etc.<ref>Sanhedrin 42a, Shulchan Aruch 426:1 </ref> In this blessing we express our recognition of God awesome power over the universe. As such, one should be vigilant to recite this blessing with full intent, devotion and elation. <ref>Ben Ish Chai (vol. 1, Vayikra 26) and More Be'ezbah 187</ref> It is customary to also recite additional appropriate texts and passages, the "Shalom Aleichem" greeting <ref>Levush (426) explains that this greeting is included after the recital of this blessing, for after having greeted the Divine Presence, we then joyously bless one another. </ref> and the "Aleinu" prayer <ref>Mishnah Berurah 426. We recite this prayer after our greeting of the moon, to declare that this ritual is not to be interpreted as idolatrous heavenly worship, God forbid. </ref>. | #The text of this blessing as appears in the Talmud, reads: Blessed are you God.. Who with his utterance created the heavens.. Who renews the months, etc.<ref>Sanhedrin 42a, Shulchan Aruch 426:1 </ref> In this blessing we express our recognition of God awesome power over the universe. As such, one should be vigilant to recite this blessing with full intent, devotion and elation. <ref>Ben Ish Chai (vol. 1, Vayikra 26) and More Be'ezbah 187</ref> It is customary to also recite additional appropriate texts and passages, the "Shalom Aleichem" greeting <ref>Levush (426) explains that this greeting is included after the recital of this blessing, for after having greeted the Divine Presence, we then joyously bless one another. [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1911&pgnum=105 Rav Mashash in Mayim Chayim 92] adds another reason. We are asking for Shalom for Klal Yisrael, between the parts of Hashem's name, and that the moon should return to its original completeness.</ref> and the "Aleinu" prayer <ref>Mishnah Berurah 426. We recite this prayer after our greeting of the moon, to declare that this ritual is not to be interpreted as idolatrous heavenly worship, God forbid. </ref>. | ||
#The verse "Just as I dance toward you but cannot touch you, so may none of my enemies be able to touch me for evil" is recited three times (this verse, and many that follow in the text are repeated three times in order to give emphasis to these special messages). Upon the recital of this verse, one is to rise on his toes as if in a dance.<ref>Tractate Sofrim (19). Dover Shalom (Kiddush Levana) explains that this symbolic exertion to touch the moon is a form of prayer: "Just as we cannot touch the moon, may the exertions of our enemies against us be with no avail". Some write that this rise should specially be of three times, See Ya'alkut Yosef (426). </ref> | #The verse "Just as I dance toward you but cannot touch you, so may none of my enemies be able to touch me for evil" is recited three times (this verse, and many that follow in the text are repeated three times in order to give emphasis to these special messages). Upon the recital of this verse, one is to rise on his toes as if in a dance.<ref>Tractate Sofrim (19). Dover Shalom (Kiddush Levana) explains that this symbolic exertion to touch the moon is a form of prayer: "Just as we cannot touch the moon, may the exertions of our enemies against us be with no avail". Some write that this rise should specially be of three times, See Ya'alkut Yosef (426). </ref> | ||
#After mankind's first successful Lunar surface landing in July 20, 1969, there were those who felt that this last mentioned verse should now read:"Just as I dance toward you but '''do not''' touch you", most however argued, explaining that to us here at earth the moon is classified as 'unable to be touched'. <ref>Israeli Armed Forces’ Chief Chaplain General Rabbi Shlomo Goren's change in the IDF Siddur (pg. 464) also based on text of Tractate Sofrim. See however Derech Sicha (pg. 629) where Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky explains that even nowadays the moon is deemed 'unable to be touched'. Ya'alkut Yosef (426:17) writes similarly. </ref> | #After mankind's first successful Lunar surface landing in July 20, 1969, there were those who felt that this last mentioned verse should now read:"Just as I dance toward you but '''do not''' touch you", most however argued, explaining that to us here at earth the moon is classified as 'unable to be touched'. <ref>Israeli Armed Forces’ Chief Chaplain General Rabbi Shlomo Goren's change in the IDF Siddur (pg. 464) also based on text of Tractate Sofrim. See however Derech Sicha (pg. 629) where Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky explains that even nowadays the moon is deemed 'unable to be touched'. Ya'alkut Yosef (426:17) writes similarly. </ref> | ||
