Kiddush Levanah finishes with Aleinu Leshabeyach, which is the concluding Tefillah for most of our daily Tefillot. Why was it added to Kiddush Levanah? The Mishna Berurah is the Chofetz Chaim’s masterful commentary on Orach Chaim, the first section of the Shulchan Aruch. It defines the rules of prayer and the synagogue, Shabbat and the Yamim Tovim. Aside from his main commentary, the Chofetz Chaim also authored the Biur Halacha, which is printed on the same page, together with the Mishna Berurah. The Biur Halacha is an analysis of the many approaches that are found within Jewish law and custom.

In the Bi’ur Halacha (426), the Chofetz Chaim explains that the Ashkenazic custom to recite Aleinu Leshabeyach at the end of Kiddush Levanah derives from a concern that people might otherwise mistakenly assume that we are praying to the moon. In order to prevent this serious mistake, the practice of saying Aleinu Leshabeyach was instituted because Aleinu Leshabeyach clearly states that all of our praises are directed only to Hashem.

For this reason, the Mishna Berurah rules (ibid.) that we should not stare at the moon while reciting Kiddush Levanah. Rather, we should glance at the moon briefly just before saying the blessing, and we should not look at the moon again until after completing Kiddush Levanah.

Minhag Yisrael Torah, an anthology of Jewish customs, adds another intriguing reason for reciting Aleinu Leshabeyach at the conclusion of Kiddush Levanah. He cites the unknown author of the foundational Halachic compendium, Kol Bo, saying that according to ancient tradition, Aleinu Leshabeyach was composed by Yehoshua. But what is the connection between Yehoshua and Kiddush Levanah?

The Talmud, in Bava Batra 75a, relates that when it became clear that Yehoshua was Moshe’s designated successor, the Zekenim (elders/leaders) of the Jewish nation declared, “The face of Moshe is like the sun; the face of Yehoshua is like the moon.” Although it seems clear from the continuation of the narrative that the Zekenim felt the comparison to not be positive in nature since the light of moon is incomparable to that of the sun, the Chofetz Chaim explains that comparing Yehoshua to the moon is actually the greatest accolade of all! If Moshe Rabbeinu, the peerless leader of the Jewish People, is described as being like the sun – as the source of the Holy Torah, of the spiritual light – then the most appropriate individual to continue to shine that light into our world is Yehoshua, who, like the moon, is not a source of independent light but rather one who reflects the Torah that he received from Moshe.

Therefore, it is quite apt for this prayer, that was composed by the person described by our Sages as being like the moon, should be the Tefillah that concludes the series of prayers that sanctify the moon.

Finally, after Aleinu Leshabeyach there is a beautiful custom for the participants to form a circle and dance while singing words from the Shabbat morning prayers that extol the virtues of the sun and the moon, “Tovim Meorot – Good are the luminaries that our G-d has created, He has fashioned them with wisdom, with insight and discernment…Glad as they go forth and exultant as they return…” As we joyously sing, we acknowledge that it is the moon’s cycle that allows us to recognize the new months and thereby keep the Jewish yearly cycle of the Yamim Tovim.

But there is something deeper as well. What is it exactly about Kiddush Levanah that generates such a sense of joy and optimism? Once the moon of the previous month ceases to give light, the new moon is “born.” The new moon embodies a new beginning. A new beginning that does not necessarily subject the moon to the decree to become smaller as the month progresses. In effect, each new moon represents a wellspring of spiritual potential. As it comes into being, the new moon is not constrained by the past, of having to wane. Rather, each new moon contains within it the potential to continue growing until it returns to its original dimensions. To the size that it was before it was commanded to diminish itself.

To be continued…