Rav Bibi bar Abaye says we can say havinenu all year long except for the winter when we add a prayer for rain. It seems he is ignoring rosh chodesh and chol hamoed when we also have additions that would require some emendation to havinenu. Why is he ignoring those days?
Max Weiman, St. Louis, MO usa
Dear Max,
Havinenu is the middle Berachah. You still have the regular first three and last three Berachos. So, on Rosh Chodesh and Chol ha'Mo'ed you add Ya'aleh v'Yavo in Retzeh, which is in the last three Berachos, and not in Havinenu.
All the best,
Reuven Weiner
I have wondered about Aneinu, which a Yachid adds into Shomea Tefilla and the chazan as a separate brocho
Meir Eliezer Bergman
Manchester UK
Dear Meir,
The Gemara was willing to put v'Sen Tal u'Matar into Havinenu at Shome'a Tefilah. The only objection was that this is not its normal place, but only allowed there when a mistake occurs. No mention is made of Tirda (getting mixed up) since this is at the end of the Berachah. We therefore may infer that a short mention of Aneinu is permitted to be added to Havinenu without any concerns. (In the case of a Chazan, Havinenu is never an option, as it was instituted only b'She'as ha'Dechak for a private individual, not for a Shali'ach Tzibur.)
All the best,
Reuven Weiner