- Halacha
- Other Parts of the Prayers
spitting in aleinu
Question
what a hallachik, kabbalistick or any other sources to spit in aleinu leshabeach (for those who do it)?
Answer
Shalom,
There is no rabbinic source for that minhag, and to the contrary, the Talmud Y’rushalmi (ch. 3) cites an opinion that you are not allowed to spit at all in shul, and the Shulchan Aruch (151, 7) allowed it only in a generation when it’s acceptable, and only if you immediately cover it. The Mishna Brura adds there (Sha’ar Tzion 15) that today, when spitting is considered uncouth in one’s home, how much more so that one is not allowed to spit in shul (or even out of shul, if others are around)! The only place I have seen the custom is in Lubavitch (when they say: “lahevel varik” which literally means: “that they (the gentiles) bow to emptiness”, because the word for emptiness, “rik”, sounds like “rok” which means spit), where if it’s accepted there, and really doesn’t bother anyone, than it would be allowed, but only in such a synagogue, which is pretty rare.
In summary, there is no source in the sages, and in almost every place and case today, it is forbidden because it is disrespectful.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

Aleinu
Rabbi David Sperling | Elul 17, 5773

Tefilat Haderech
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Sivan 4, 5769

Prayer for Lefties
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Birkot Hashachar
Various Rabbis | Iyyar 7, 5769

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Kri u'ktiv
Adar II 25, 5771

Birkat Hamazon - extra verses
Adar II 25, 5771

Gentile Prophets
Adar II 25, 5771

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

No sukkah at home
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Writing on Chol HaMoed for College
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 24, 5772

Hallel no minyan
Various Rabbis | 1 Adar 5767

Purchases during Chol Hamoed
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 24 Nisan 5767

fast on yom kipper
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 9, 5784
Blessings and Bnei Noach
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tishrei 4, 5784
