1. Why do we say Borchi Nafshi on Rosh Chodesh?
That is the song they would sing in the Beis Hamikdash on Rosh Chodesh. The reason they would sing this song is because it includes the possuk, “Asah yarei’ach lemoadim – Hashem made the moon for the holidays” (i.e., to help us calculate the Yomim Tovim), and Rosh Chodesh is the day when the new moon is born.
2. Why don’t we say tachanun during Minchah on Erev Rosh Chodesh?
To remind everyone to say Yaaleh Vayavo during Maariv.
3. Why do we say Aleinu after Kiddush Levanah?
(1) Because Chazal compare Yehoshua’s face to the moon, and Yehoshua is the one who composed Aleinu.
(2) To show that although we just made a brachah on the moon, we are not serving avodah zarah chas v’sholom; we only serve Hashem, as stated in Aleinu.
4. Who named the Tzemach Tzedek’s notes on Tehillim “Yahel Or”?
The first printers of these notes, Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Bichovsky and Rabbi Chaim Meir Hillman.
5. Why is there no possuk in Ashrei beginning with the letter nun?
Because nun stands for “nefilah” – falling, which represents negative treatment of the Jews, lo aleinu. (Brachos 4b)
6. Where in Tehillim is there a possuk with 6 words: the first word has 2 letters, the second word has 3 letters, etc., until the last word has 7 letters?
The possuk "על גבי חרשו חרשים האריכו למעניתם". (Tehillim 129:3)
7. Where in the siddur are there eight consecutive words beginning with a lamed?
During Shacharis of Shabbos: להודות להלל לשבח לפאר לרומם להדר לברך לעלה (ולקלס)
8. Why is the afternoon prayer called “Minchah”?
Just like a korban minchah is smaller than an animal korban, this tefillah is shorter than Shacharis.
9. It is known that every fourteen years of the Rebbe’s nesius, the Rebbe suffered from a health condition of some sort. What happened in 5724?
On Shabbos, 12 Kislev, the Rebbe suffered from a minor heart attack while in his room. He summoned a doctor but told him to keep it a secret. In 5738, when they monitored the Rebbe’s heart, they discovered what had happened.
10. On 2 Kislev, 5748, the sefarim were returned to 770. Which sefer did the Rebbe instruct to be printed at that time?
The sefer Derech Emunah from R’ Meir ibn Gabbai. (Based on the Rebbe’s directive, it was sold for one dollar a copy.)
11. What is the difference between the 2 expressions which mean “me”: “Ani” and “Anochi”?
Simply, “Anochi” means that “there is nothing but me,” as we find Hashem’s use of the word at the start of the Aseres Hadibros: “Anochi Hashem Elokecha — I am Hashem, your G-d.” “Ani” on the other hand is a word used commonly, which means “me” in addition to you — for we are both equally human. — “Arvei Nachal”
Rabbeinu Bechayei explains that the word “Anochi — אנכי” which is different than the word “Ani — אני” in that it includes a כ — Chof is a more holy, deeper word. The “כ” symbolizing the shape of a chair — the “Kisei Hakavod,” Hashem’s “Throne of Glory.”
12. How many of the 53 parshiyos in the Torah are similar in name to other ones?
Parshas Lech Lecha (Bereishis) and Vayelech (Devarim)
Parshas Vayeira (Bereishis) and Va’eira (Shemos)
Parshas Vayeitzei (Bereishis) and Teitzei (Devarim)
Parshas Vayishlach (Bereishis), Shelach (Bamidbar), and Beshalach (Shemos)
Parshas Bo (Shemos) and Ki Savo (Devarim)
Parshas Mishpatim (Shemos) and Shoftim (Devarim)
Parshas Tetzaveh (Shemos) and Tzav (Vayikra)
Parshas Bechukosai (Vayikra) and Chukas (Bamidbar)
