Why is aleinu said twice: once at the end of Maariv, and then again at the end of Kiddush Levanah?
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related: judaism.stackexchange.com/a/136/603– MenachemJun 24, 2012 at 22:58
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Probably they just used to go out to say Kiddush Levana before Alenu like where many count the Omer, and then people/Siddurim were silly and got confused and thought there has to be a separate Alenu later on. Similarly they would perform a circumcision in Shul right after Kaddish Titkabbel, and then people were silly and thought Alenu was part of the circumcision. You have to remember that Alenu is just a bonus prayer said at the end of whatever is going on. It's not actually part of Shacharit/Maariv.– Double AA ♦Nov 15, 2017 at 13:58
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1 Answer
First Because we say:
שֶׁהֵם מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים לְהֶבֶל וָרִיק וּמִתְפַּלְּלִים אֶל אֵל לֹא יושיע
- That is we are illustrating the Idol worshipers pray to heavenly bodies but we do not. (Likutie Maharich,Chelek Beis,Daf Kuf)
- Aleinu, was written by Yeshouah Ben Nun he was compared to moon. That is the Gemara in Baba Basra 75a says:
The face of Moshe was Like the sun,Yeshouah was like the Moon.
Therfore the comparison compels us to say Aleinu at Kiddush Levanah.
Source:Rite and reason: 1050 Jewish customs and their sources
answered Jun 20, 2010 at 4:31
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Not facing the moon is not lidivrei hakol. The Kneses Hagedolah bringd down to look at the moon while saying the bracha. this indicates that he has no problem with being turned towards it. The Mishnah berurah objects to gazing at the the moon for the bracha based on the kabbalistic considerations of the Shelah but does not discuss facing towards it. Even though we do not pasken like the Kneses Hagedolah there are many who have the minhag to say kiddush levana while turned towards the moon.– YahuJun 20, 2010 at 18:18
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Also, if the minhag is to be faced towards the moon for birchas halevana it then makes sense that we should declare Aleinu to clarify what we just did. If one faces away, it is sort of obvious that he is not praying to the moon!– YahuJun 20, 2010 at 18:20
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Are you quoting the likutei mahariah as saying one should not face the moon while saying birchas halevana?– YahuJun 20, 2010 at 18:59
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Actually, Likutei Maharah implies that we do face the Levanah and that is why it is important to say Aleinu afterwards. I have yet to find a source that says not to be facing the moon when saying Birchas HaLevana!– YahuJun 20, 2010 at 19:54
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And I have seen many Talmidei Chachamim and Gedolim who face the moon for it. I have asked Gedolim about this turning away practice and some said they never heard of it and others said it is a new humrah with no real reason in Halacha.– YahuJun 20, 2010 at 20:01