Shehecheyanu

The blessing of Shehecheyanu is recited in thanks or commemoration of: • Generally, when doing or experiencing something that occurs infrequently from which one derives pleasure or benefit. • The beginning of a holiday, including Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simhat Torah and Hanukkah, but not holidays commemorating sad events, such as Tisha B'av. • The first performance of certain mitzvot in a year, including sitting in a sukkah, eating matzah at the Passover Seder, reading the megillah, or lighting the candles on Hanukkah. • Eating a new fruit for the first time since Rosh Hashanah. • :Normally said before the blessing over the fruit, but some customarily say it afterwards. • :The fruit must be fresh, not dried. However, it is recited by Sephardim at the berith milah ceremony. ==Text==

Although the most prevalent custom and Aruch Hashulchan, following Magen Avraham, Mateh Moshe and Maharshal. ==Modern history==

Avshalom Haviv finished his speech in court on June 10, 1947, with the Shehecheyanu blessing. The Israeli Declaration of Independence was publicly read in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, before the expiration of the British Mandate at midnight. After the first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, read the Declaration of Independence, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Maimon recited the Shehecheyanu blessing, and the Declaration of Independence was signed. The ceremony concluded with the singing of "Hatikvah." There is a common musical rendition of the blessing composed by Meyer Machtenberg, an Eastern European choirmaster who composed it in the United States in the 19th century. ==Media==

• MP3 file - Shehecheyanu blessing from VirtualCantor.com (tune for the first night of Chanukah) • Sheet music for Shehecheyanu ==See also==