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Why do we say Shalom Aliechem in Kiddush Levanah? And what should one do if there are no other people around (or not enough people around)?

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What if you have one other person, do you say it three times or just once? – Seth J Jul 31 '12 at 14:26
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@SethJ When my rebbi had to say KL, he took me outside and said shalom aleichem to me thrice. – YDK Jul 31 '12 at 15:14
related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/8196/… – Menachem Jul 31 '12 at 22:35

2 Answers

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The Original sorce for this Minhag is a Maseches Sofrim.

ואומר לחברו שלש פעמים שלום, וילך לביתו בלב טוב

The reasons given are:

  • The Mahril based on the Gemara in Sanhedrin 42A says since it is such a great Mitzvah it is as if we are greeting the Shechina.Therfore when we say Shalom Aleichem we are in a sense greeting the Shechina.
  • Matteh Moshe(540) adds to his Rebbi's reasoning that after wishing bad upon our enemies we are telling Hashem that these people are not included among those whose downfall we seek.
  • A third reason given is just like after making a Bracha (blessing) on food, we partake of it so to here after we make a Bracha on the moon we partake of it by use its light to identify a friend.

In response to what to do if there is not enough people around the Mateh Moshe says you greet one person three times. The Rebbe of the Mahril say that if you have three people you say to one friend twice ‘Shalom Aleichem’ and to the other once.

Summarized from:

1) http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%207%20Ron.pdf

2) http://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/140/Q1/

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Anything on the second part of the question: What to do if no one's around? – yydl Jun 20 '10 at 23:31
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You can tell everyone made Kiddush levanah – Ishyehudi Jun 21 '10 at 14:37
I once observed an Odom Godol (at the Kosel) say "Sholom Aleichem Aleichem Sholom" x3 to himself, or to nobody in particular. That would only make sense according to the first, and possibly second reasons. – user146 Jun 21 '10 at 14:44
WHO is the adam godol ? – SimchasTorah Jun 21 '10 at 22:43
Sorry, I am not comfortable saying. But I can sat that he is a Ben Shivim, and has been a Rosh Yeshiva for decades, and has hundreds (thousands?) of talmidim, va'ani besocham. – user146 Jun 22 '10 at 18:33
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up vote 3 down vote

You wouldn't say it on your own, but you can say it after Kiddush Levana to the first three people you meet. (I was advised this in my youth.)

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Would you mind including in your answer the identity of your adviser? – msh210♦ Jul 31 '12 at 15:12
@msh210, I don't think that's strictly necessary. – Seth J Jul 31 '12 at 15:28
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@SethJ, I agree completely. It'd be more informative, though. – msh210♦ Jul 31 '12 at 15:43
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If I recall correctly. it was casual, passing advice from a *madrich*/counsellor whose name I have forgotten. – Michael Sandler Aug 1 '12 at 5:54
Administrative note: This was posted as an answer to another question and moved hither. – msh210♦ Aug 1 '12 at 18:56

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