Prologue: Ever wonder why Nissan was the designated "first month" if Rosh Hashana is in Tishrei? After all, shouldn't the beginning of the year be the beginning of both the months and the day of the year?
Rav Moshe Feinstein (Kol Ram, Vol. I) notes that Tishrei may serve as the beginning of the year, referring back to the process of creation (as we note - Zeh HaYom Techilas maaseicha ZIKARON L"YOM RISHON) and as such, he declares Rosh HaShana in tishrei. However, Jews are obligated to recall and believe that Hashem did not only create in the past, but is in a constant state of control over our world. He regularly recontributes and recreates Maaeh Berashis. The proof-text is that despite its context long after creation, Hashem still performed all of the supernatural miracles necessary for Yetzias Mitzrayim. Hence, the Jew keeps Rosh Chodesh Nissan as the beginning of the month cycle to note and remind himself of the obligation to remember Hashem's daily involvement in our lives and his control, until today, of everything in our world.
Reminding oneself of Rosh Chodesh is an important part of Tefilla. One who leaves out the special Rosh Chodesh addition of Yaaleh V'Yavo must repeat Shemoneh Esrai (if forgotten during Shachris or Mincha). This week's Chaburah examines the process of reminding oneself about Rosh Chodesh. It is entitled:
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Knocking out loud
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A well-known practice on Rosh Chodesh is the requirement to recite Yaaleh V"yavo in one's Shmoneh Esrai. At times, the uniqueness of the Shmoneh Esrai necessitates a brief reminder that Yaaleh V'Yavo be recited. Is it permitted to remind others to say Yaaleh V'avo during services?
The Rashba (Shut HaRashba I:293) notes that when one needs to interrupt Tefilla (prayer) in order to offer a Tefilla related comment, it is not considered a Hefsek (interruption). This is based upon the Talmud (Berachos 40a). Certainly, adds the Rashba, when the interruption directly affects the quality of the Tefilla, one would be permitted to announce the reminder. This is the position assumed by the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 236:2). The Rashba emphasizes that the case is highlighted at night when Maariv is a Reshus anyway.
The Shibbolei HaLeket (170) noted a Minhag that went one step further. He noted that during the night of Rosh Chodesh the Gabbai would announce "Rosh Chodesh" to which the congregation would respond "L'Sasson U'L'Simcha" in order to remind the congregation to say Yaaleh V'Yavo. Here, the Shibbolei HaLeket noted that he could not understand why the congregation was able to answer L'Sasson U'L"Simcha as that would be a Hefsek for no reason.
The Mateh Moshe (509) takes exception to the position of the Rashba in regards to the issue of Maariv being a reshus. He notes that today we all daven Maariv and today would be a Chova. Notwithstanding, one may allow the Yaaleh V'Yavo announcement as the main issue is that it is not a Hefsek but a Tzoreich HaTefilla. The Bach agrees (O.C. 236).
The Minhag of Yirushalayim seems to be somewhat suspect. The Kaf HaChaim (236: Os Tov) notes that Yirushalayim's Minhag is not to announce Yaaleh V"Yavo. Rav Ovadiah Yosef (Chazon Ovadiah Chanukah, p. 260) notes that the Minhag of Yirushalayim today is to allow the announcement. He adds that the kaf HaChaim may have referred to the Kabbalistic community, most of whom do not forget Yaaleh V'Yavo anyway.
Today, most Shuls seem to follow the practice of allowing a single Yaaleh V"Yavo announcement. To the congregations concerned with the detractors to the Rashba (See Shalmei Tzibbur 219, 4th column) perhaps a single bang on a table, Bima or Shtender can prevent the Hefsek of Geula L"Tefilla.
Shabbat Shalom
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