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Why do some people spit while reciting "Aleinu?"
Answer:
Some people have the custom to spit at the words "shehem mishtachavim l'hevel varik umitpallelim el el lo yoshia" when reciting Aleinu. 1 It is explained that spitting after reciting this passage demonstrates one's abhorrence for idolatry. Furthermore, since speech automatically stimulates saliva, spitting at this point shows that one does not want to benefit from idolatry in any way, not even from the saliva produced at its mention!
One who chooses to spit during Aleinu should do so into a tissue or onto the ground and then immediately rub it away with one's foot so that it is not noticeable. Most authorities, however, question the authenticity and legitimacy of this custom entirely, calling it "the custom of imbeciles". 2 It is also noted that some people were spitting at the wrong passages. 3 Spitting during Aleinu was also seen by some rabbinic leaders as an unnecessary provocation of the Christians. 4 So too, spitting in a synagogue is disrespectful and possibly even forbidden according to halacha. 5 It is said that the kabbalists, including the Arizal, were very particular never to spit at all. Nevertheless, there are a number of authorities who justify the practice and a number of Chassidic communities conduct themselves accordingly. 6 Those who regularly spit regularly when reciting Aleinu should not do so when reciting it as part of the silent Mussaf on Rosh Hashana. 7
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
