Asher Yotzar - What type of Bracha is it?

Question

What type of Bracha is Asher Yotzar?

Is it a Birchas HaNehenin (you feel relieved after going)?

Birchas HaMitzvos (as it is the conclusion of eating)?

Birchas Hodaa (for our bodies working properly)?

Birchas HaShevach?

(Please include your sources)

Is there any reason to believe a b'racha of the form of asher yatzar would be a birkas hamitzva? I heard a shi'ur once that the context of the text of the prototype for the b'racha, where it appears in maseches Nida relates it to giving birth and it may therefore be linked to shevach and especially hoda'a.
Gershon, could you please expand your question to explain why you would think it is anything other than a birchas hodaa?
Just from its content one might call it a Birchas Shevah. In that way it is more similar to Birchas Hamitzvos.
Is there really a difference between shevach and hodaah? The rambam for instance seems to group them together as one category (Hil. Brachot 1:4).

Yahu · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-29 05:00:26Z

So far this is what I could find.

Shulchan Oruch Orach Chaim Siman 6 Seif 3 says that it is a Birchas Hodaa.

Ritva Pesachim 46 says that it is a Birchas HaShevach.

Minchas Shlomo Chelek 2 Siman 4 Os 28 and Yabia Omer Chelek 9 Siman 3 both say that it is a Birchas HaNehenin.

I heard (although have not found the location yet) that the Chasam Sofer says it is Birchas HaMitzvos.

Avraham · Answer 2 · 2011-03-28 23:27:42Z

up vote -2 down vote

it's a big mahloket, in any case you can rule out bircat hamitsvot, which we do before the mitsva and not after

neenin also I would rule out, a fruit for example we make the baracha before we eat

answered Mar 28 '11 at 23:27

Avraham
1,202211

2 Answers