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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">Rav Shlomo Pick cites <EM>Hazon
Ish</EM>, OH siman 38 that even a <EM>Yachid</EM> can say
<EM>vaYekhulu</EM>, contrary to <EM>Mishna Berura</EM>. But he notes [in a
beautiful stroke of beki'ut] that <EM>Meiri</EM> in his introduction to <EM>Beit
haBehira</EM> also indicates that vaYekhulu is Eidut which is why we stand
[see: p. 11 of <EM>Makhon haTalmud haYisraeli</EM> - R. Shmuel Dickman edition,
s.v. <EM>veAhar she-hitba'er</EM>].</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">I think that Rav Pick is being a bit too
literal in his reading of the <EM>Rishonim </EM>in this regard. What the
<EM>Hazon Ish</EM> is saying is that these <EM>Rishonim</EM> maintain
that reciting <EM>vaYekhulu</EM> is LIKE giving <EM>eidut</EM>. Our
observing Shabbat, our saying vaYekhulu is like bearing witness that Hashem
is the creator. It is symbolic - not literal. If it were real
testimony, it could not be given at night, together with relatives and other
<EM>Pesulim</EM>, women would be exempt, we would need a bona fide <EM>Bet
Din</EM> listening etc. Since it is not REAL testimony the Hazon Ish
maintains that as a Hovat haYahid it can be said by individuals. But
nevertheless the <EM>minhag</EM> of standing raffirms the
testimony symbolism of <EM>vaYekhulu</EM> - but it is only a
<EM>minhag</EM>, not din and certainly not <EM>me'akev</EM>. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">The Sefer haManhig in Hilkhot Shabbat says
that saying Kiddush is also Eidut. [That is the source of those who
stand.] Does that mean one can't say it sitting? that women are
exempt {they are explicitly obligated}, that one can't say it in the presence of
family. Of course not! It is symbolic - not literal.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT
face="Times New Roman">--------------------------------<BR>Prof Aryeh A.
Frimer<BR>Chemistry Dept., Bar-Ilan University<BR>Ramat Gan 52900,
ISRAEL<BR>E-mail: </FONT><A href="mailto:FrimeA@mail.biu.ac.il"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">FrimeA@mail.biu.ac.il</FONT></A><BR></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>