The benediction "Blessed be the Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive ["she-heheyanu"] and sustained us and welcomed us to this season"; in actual usage the blessing begins with the words "She-heheyanu,"the preceding clause being suppressed. The benediction was originally recited on meeting a beloved one after a separation of more than thirty days or less than a year (after a longer period the benediction is "Mehayyeh ha-metim" = "Who revivest the dead"); on hearing good news in which one is personally concerned; also on acquiring and first making use of a new house, new utensils, new garments, or new books. The benediction was omitted when one acquired trivial objects, except in the case of a poor man, who felt happy in their possession. In modern times the blessing is pronounced only on eating fruits for the first time in their respective seasons—especially on the second night of Rosh ha-Shanah—being recited after the regular benediction. "She-heheyanu" is recited after kiddush on the first nights of the festivals; at the blowing of the shofar on Rosh ha-Shanah, at the lighting of the hanukkah candles, and the reading of the Scroll of Esther in public on Purim.
- Esther
- Megillah
- Kosher Shofars
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