DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Halacha is In Memory of
 Saad ben Sarah

Dedicated By
steven israel

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
      
(File size: 686 KB)
Preferred Rituals When Reciting Birkat Ha’levana

There is a Mitzva to recite a special Beracha each month over the appearance of the new moon; this blessing is called Birkat Ha'levana. The Sages afforded great importance to this Mitzva; in fact, the Zohar, as cited in Kaf Ha'chayim Sofer, writes that one who recites Birkat Ha'levana is guaranteed that he will not die an abnormal death.

Rabbi Chayim Palachi (Rabbi of Izmir, Turkey, 19th century) writes that the proper text of the passage "Baruch Yotzrich…," which is recited together with Birkat Ha'levana, is as follows: "Baruch Yotzrich, Baruch Osich, Baruch Konich, Baruch Bor'ich." This arrangement yields the acronym "Baruch Ya'akov" ("Yotzrich," "Osich," "Konich," "Bor'ich"), and is the proper text. Some Siddurim present this passage differently, but this is the correct text.

Rabbi Chayim Palachi further writes that after reciting Birkat Ha'levana one should look at his Tzitzit and examine them. He explains that the Sages likened the recitation of Birkat Ha'levana to "Kabbalat Penei Shechina" – standing in the Divine Presence and accepting upon oneself the Almighty's rule. Tzitzit very closely relates to this theme, as looking at the Tzitzit is intended to lead one to the fear of God. It is therefore proper to look at one's Tzitzit after reciting Birkat Ha'levana.

In addition, Rabbi Chayim Palachi writes that after Birkat Ha'levana one should give three coins to charity.

Finally, he writes that one should shake the bottom of his garment after reciting Birkat Ha'levana, to rid himself of the negative spiritual influences of the moon to which one is subjected when reciting this blessing. The custom is also to greet three people with the greeting of "Shalom Aleichem," and Rabbi Chayim Palachi explains the reason for this practice in accordance with the teachings of Kabbala.

Summary: The proper sequence of the passage "Baruch Yotzrich" in Birkat Ha'levana is as follows: "Baruch Yotzrich, Baruch Osich, Baruch Konich, Baruch Bor'ich." After reciting Birkat Ha'levana, one should look at his Tzitzit, donate three coins to charity, shake the bottom of his garments, and extend the greeting of "Shalom Aleichem" to three peers.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Purim- Is A Megilah Considered Kasher If It Has Nekudot, Taamim, Pictures, or If It Contains The Berachot
Are Ladies Obligated In Hearing Parashat Zachor
Purim- Meat and Bread at the Seuda
When Should The Bar Mitzva Be If Either; There Are 2 Months of Adar That Year, Or If Born In A Year With 2 Months Of Adar
Purim- If One Forgot Al Hanisim in the Amidah or Birkat Hamazon
Purim- Can You Put 2 Mishloach Manot Into One Basket
Purim- Is It Permissible To Work Or Get Hair Cuts On Purim
Purim- Is the Individual Mitzvah Fulfilled If A Mishloach Manot Is Collectively Given By A Group
Purim- What Constitutes The Required 2 Mishloach Manot
Purim- Seudat Purim When Purim Falls Out On A Friday
Purim Day Message 5764 (2004)
Purim- Is The Megilah Considered Muktze On Shabbat
Purim- Writing - Handling - Reading - and Hearing The Megilah
Putting on Tefilin and Tallit at Home before Going to Bet Knesset
The Proper Kavana When Donning Tefilin
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found