Birkat Halevana: Difference between revisions

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Upon seeing the moon at the beginning of the month one says a blessing called Birkat HaLevana (for the details and text see below). What's the significance of this Bracha? 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>
Upon seeing the moon at the beginning of the month one says a blessing called Birkat HaLevana (for the details and text see below). What's the significance of this Bracha? 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>
==Basics==
==Basics==
# One is obligated to make the bracha of [[Kiddish]] HaChodesh which begins Baruch Atta Hashem...Asher BeMaamaro Bara Shechakim. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 426:1 </ref>
# One is obligated to make the bracha of [[Kiddish]] HaChodesh which begins Baruch Atta Hashem... Asher BeMaamaro Bara Shechakim. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 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>
# For the Ashkenazic text [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tefila.org%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fbirkon%2Flevana-e1.pdf click here (from Tefilah.org)]. For the Sephardic text [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tefila.org%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fbirkon%2Flevana-s1.pdf click here (from Tefilah.org)].
# For the Ashkenazic text [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tefila.org%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fbirkon%2Flevana-e1.pdf click here (from Tefilah.org)]. For the Sephardic text [https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tefila.org%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fbirkon%2Flevana-s1.pdf click here (from Tefilah.org)].
==When it should be said==
==When it should be said==
# According to Ashkenazim, one may say the Bracha 3 days after the molad, however according to Sephardim, in general one should wait until 7 days after the molad. For this halacha, days are counted by 24 hour periods. <Ref> Shulchan Aruch 426:4 writes that one shouldn’t say Birkat Halevana until 7 days have passed from the molad based on the Shaarei Orah. However, the Bach 426 rules like the Rabbenu Yonah who says that one may say it after 3 days. Taz 426:3, Magen Avraham 426:13, Aruch HaShulchan 426:13, and Mishna Brurah 426:20 agree with the Bach. Sh”t Yabia Omer 6:38(1) rules like Shulchan Aruch but adds that if Motzei [[Shabbat]] is a few hours less than 7 days one may say it and in places where majority of the month is cloudy one may say it after 3 days. Mishna Brurah 426:17 clarifies that for this halacha days are counted as 24 hour periods and not from sunset to sunset. </ref> It’s proper to wait until Motzei [[Shabbat]] (Saturday night) to say Birkat HaLevana. <Ref>Masechet Sofrim 19:10 (in some versions 20:1) writes that one should say Birkat HaLevana specifically on Motzei [[Shabbat]]. However, Rabbenu Yonah ([[Brachot]] 21a) quotes some who say this, rejects it, and concludes that one can say it anytime after 3 days. Bet Yosef 426:2 writes that probably Rabbenu Yonah didn’t have this girsa in Maasechet Sofrim. S”A 426:2 rules that one should say Birkat HaLevana on Motzei [[Shabbat]]. However, the Biur HaGra 426:2 cites the Gemara Yevamot 39a which says that we don’t delay performing [[Mitzvot]]. The Mishna Brurah 426:20 rules that it’s proper to wait until Motzei [[Shabbat]] but there is what to rely on to say it earlier and in the winter and rainy months those who are zealous to say it early are praiseworthy. Rama 426:2 writes that if Motzei [[Shabbat]] is the 11th night from the molad one doesn’t have to wait until Motzei [[Shabbat]] because it’s possible it will be cloudy the following 4 nights. </ref>
# According to Ashkenazim, one may say the Bracha 3 days after the molad, however according to Sephardim, in general one should wait until 7 days after the molad. For this halacha, days are counted by 24 hour periods. <Ref> Shulchan Aruch 426:4 writes that one shouldn’t say Birkat Halevana until 7 days have passed from the molad based on the Shaarei Orah. However, the Bach 426 rules like the Rabbenu Yonah who says that one may say it after 3 days. Taz 426:3, Magen Avraham 426:13, Aruch HaShulchan 426:13, and Mishna Brurah 426:20 agree with the Bach. Sh”t Yabia Omer 6:38(1) rules like Shulchan Aruch but adds that if Motzei [[Shabbat]] is a few hours less than 7 days one may say it and in places where majority of the month is cloudy one may say it after 3 days. Mishna Brurah 426:17 clarifies that for this halacha days are counted as 24 hour periods and not from sunset to sunset. </ref> It’s proper to wait until Motzei [[Shabbat]] (Saturday night) to say Birkat HaLevana. <Ref>Masechet Sofrim 19:10 (in some versions 20:1) writes that one should say Birkat HaLevana specifically on Motzei [[Shabbat]]. However, Rabbenu Yonah ([[Brachot]] 21a) quotes some who say this, rejects it, and concludes that one can say it anytime after 3 days. Bet Yosef 426:2 writes that probably Rabbenu Yonah didn’t have this girsa in Maasechet Sofrim. S”A 426:2 rules that one should say Birkat HaLevana on Motzei [[Shabbat]]. However, the Biur HaGra 426:2 cites the Gemara Yevamot 39a which says that we don’t delay performing [[Mitzvot]]. The Mishna Brurah 426:20 rules that it’s proper to wait until Motzei [[Shabbat]] but there is what to rely on to say it earlier and in the winter and rainy months those who are zealous to say it early are praiseworthy. Rama 426:2 writes that if Motzei [[Shabbat]] is the 11th night from the molad one doesn’t have to wait until Motzei [[Shabbat]] because it’s possible it will be cloudy the following 4 nights. </ref>
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