Kiddush Levana - Aleinu

QUESTION: Why is there a minhag to recite Aleinu after Kiddush Levana? 

ANSWER: As mentioned in yesterday’s Halacha Yomis, Chazal say that reciting Kiddush Levana in its proper time is akin to greeting the Shechina (Hashem’s Presence). The rebirth of the moon reminds us of the greatness of Hashem, and how all the celestial bodies obey Hashem’s command. The Beiur Halacha (426, s.v. umevareich) explains accordingly, that Kiddush Levana is not a prayer directed to the moon, God forbid; as all prayer is solely to Hashem, but rather we recite a blessing upon glimpsing the new moon because it reminds us of Hashem’s grandeur. Based on this, he quotes an explanation he heard for the custom to recite Aleinu after Kiddush Levana. To dispel the appearance that we are somehow showing honor to the moon, we conclude our prayer with Aleinu, which expresses our belief that Hashem alone is the only power in the universe (“ain od” – there is no power other than He). However, not all have the minhag to say Aleinu after Kiddush Levana. In fact, the Chida (Moreh B’etzba 6:190) writes that it is incorrect to say Aleinu after Kiddush Levana, and one should not adopt new minhagim unless one knows their origin.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.