questions about short prayers called b'rachos ("benedictions" or "blessings")
1
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1answer
36 views
Source in the Aruch HaShulchan to not motzi (exempt) others with after-bracha on mezonot foods
The Aruch HaShulchan has an opinion on whether one person can motzi (exempt) a crowd with a bracha acharona (after-bracha) on mezonot foods. It is along the lines of it is better not to have one ...
5
votes
2answers
64 views
Bracha on giving Machatzis HaShekel
In the times of the Beis HaMikdash when the Machatzis HaShekel was given was a bracha recited?
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Ha-Gommel before or after Kaddish?
If the one reading from the Torah (whether it be on Mondays, Thursday, Shabbos, etc) has to say the bracha of "Ha-Gommel" when should it be recited? Is it ok to say it after the last aliyah before he ...
4
votes
2answers
69 views
Specialized Al Hamichya for Eretz yIsrael “Al Michyatah” על מחייתה
We all know the special suffix for Eretz yIsrael products גפנה - "gafna" פירותיה - "peirotiha".
Yesterday I saw על מחייתה "Al michyatah" in an Ashkenazi bencher, but I haven't seen that anywhere else ...
2
votes
0answers
48 views
How can we say “I have not seen a righteous man foresaken . . .”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“I never saw a tzaddik be abandoned…” - how do we understand this?
Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, shlita, in the January 23, 2013, issue of Mishpacha gave his list of the ten ...
2
votes
0answers
38 views
Continuing to eat in a place that is visible from the initial eating place
The Shulchan Aruch Harav brings in Orach Chaim 178:1
א) היה אוכל בחדר זה ונטל המאכל בידו והלך לחדר אחר לאכול צריך לחזור
ולברך שכיון שעמד והלך למקום אחר עמידתו זו היא גמר אכילתו וזו אכילה
אחרת ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Looking for more information on the bridal virginity blessing
The blessing on bridal virginity is recorded in the Halakhot Gedolot but dismissed by the Rambam in Teshuvot Harambam, II:364-365, #207. What is the original source for this blessing? Do other ...
0
votes
2answers
68 views
Berachot in Kriat Shema
I'm sorry if the question is too general, but I was just wondering about Berachot Kriat Shema. What exactly are they? What kind of relationship do they have with the Shema? We need to make a Beracha ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views
How many calories are in a KeZayith of flour?
I've often wondered how I can be sure I've eaten a KeZayith of flour when I eat something small but complete - like one cookie - and struggle with the decision of whether or not to eat more in order ...
4
votes
1answer
69 views
Mistaken shehakol - correct it?
If I make a shehakol bracha and then discover that the correct bracha for the food I am eating is, say, mezonot, should I now make a new mezonot bracha on the remainder of the food? Or does the ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Will a “lower” Berachah made MiSafek exempt a different food that requires that Berachah (and vice versa)?
Let's say you aren't sure which Berachah to make on a food before you eat it. Generally the rule of thumb is that you make the most specific Berachah that you know will capture the essence of that ...
5
votes
3answers
152 views
Unusual applications of Asher Yatzar
Does the blessing of Asher Yatzar (normally said upon using the bathroom) apply in other situations. For example in passing a kidney or gallstone? A woman who's water breaks or passes her mucus plug? ...
0
votes
2answers
73 views
Torah personalities chosen for blessings on Friday nights
Why do we bless our children on Friday nights with non-correlated blessings between the boys and the girls?
I can understand that we want our daughters to emulate the Matriarchs. Yet we don't bless ...
7
votes
1answer
190 views
Where does our blessing for daughters come from?
In many Jewish homes on Shabbat, the head of the household would bless his sons to be like Ephraim and Menasheh but would bless his daughters to be like the matriarchs . What is the source, if any, ...
7
votes
1answer
51 views
Do you take challah from something that will be deep fried?
If the requisite amount of dough is made that would require taking challah if it were baked in the oven, should one take off challah with a bracha if she intends to deep fry the dough instead?
8
votes
1answer
106 views
Making Bracha on Channukah Candles in Jail
Someone who is in jail and is able to light Channukah candles, can/should he make a bracha?
I don't know if being in Jail is considered to be like having a home that someone would have a chiyuv to ...
1
vote
0answers
62 views
How long after a Bris of his son can the Father make the bracha?
I'll pose the following scenario in order to ask this question.
During the recent war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, a man was called up to duty. On one of the days that he was found in the ...
8
votes
2answers
135 views
Does one make a blessing if preparing to die al kiddush Hashem?
If one is reasonably sure that he is about to die al kiddush Hashem does he make a blessing before fulfilling this mitzvah? What would the nusach (text) of this blessing be?
Note: I realize that even ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Why does the mohel say the brocha at the bris?
Optimally, a father should circumcise his own sons. Optimally, an aliyah should read the Torah when called up. When we are called up for an aliyah, we say the brocha and the baal koreh reads for us. ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Benediction to be recited over stuffing?
On Thanksgiving, many have the custom to eat stuffing, which usually incorporates bread as a major ingredient, with their turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy. What bracha should be recited up it? ...
3
votes
1answer
115 views
Blessing: who gets first?
A father who wants to bless his family, whom should he bless first? His wife? His oldest son? His oldest child? The oldest among his sons, daughters, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law? The cohanim? ...
4
votes
0answers
60 views
Why does Yakov bless Ephraim and Menashe at the same time?
Why does Yakov bless Ephraim and Menashe at the same time? Why not bless them one after the other?
1
vote
1answer
86 views
Bracha on Dam Basulim
There is a bracha (blessing) made after the first time a Chosson and Kallah have relations in the case that she was a basuleh (when there was a complete bia.) The makor for this Bracha is the Rosh ...
3
votes
1answer
105 views
boreh pri hagafen and hamotzi during the week
On Shabbat and holidays, we say kiddush before hamotzi (I think because hamotzi would normally cover the wine? Is that right?). During the week, what is the proper procedure? Is it to say hagafen and ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Responding “Amen” to fanciful blessings and wishes
This is related to this question, but I'm curious about a slightly different angle.
Suppose someone makes a fanciful blessing. I'm not talking about, "May we be Zocheh to a Geulah Sheleimah ...
0
votes
2answers
108 views
Blessing on the next American President
If the winner of the presidential elections is the person I voted for, am I allowed to say the blessing hatov ve-hameitiv (Who is good and beneficent) upon hearing the results?
In my eyes, this ...
11
votes
1answer
196 views
Bringing wallet with benscher into bathroom
If someone has one of the small "pocket benschers" that slide into his wallet, is it a problem for him to walk into the bathroom with his wallet in his pocket?
1
vote
2answers
130 views
“Wrong” Berachoth exempting foods
'Al HaMihyah exempts 'Al Ha'Gefen, at least if it was said after eating grain products and grape juice/wine. Is this unique to this case, or is there a broader principle?
Can a less specific ...
7
votes
0answers
126 views
Saying a b'racha acharona and continuing to eat (other food)
Suppose someone is eating something that requires a b'racha meen shalosh — for example, noodles — and something that requires a "bore n'fashos" — for example, salad or water. Then he ...
0
votes
1answer
117 views
Can I say the prayers of Birkot HaShachar and Tikkun Chatzot after Chatzot (Midnight), even if I don't sleep yet?
Can I say the prayers of Birkot HaShachar and Tikkun Chatzot after Chatzot (Midnight), even if I had not gone to sleep yet?
How should I proceed with the Kriat Shema Al Hamitá if I will remain awake ...
7
votes
1answer
129 views
When I wake up before Alot Hshachar and won't go back to sleep, what can/can't I do?
If I wake up early in the morning, like any time from 2am to 6am, before Alot Hashachar, and I'm pretty sure I'll start my day and not go back to sleep, at least not before a possible afternoon nap, ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
Bentching Ha-Gommel after a Birth
After a woman gives birth many have the custom of reciting the blessing of "ha-gommel" (a blessing of Thanks.) Until how long after a birth may this blessing by recited? (i.e. can it be said even a ...
2
votes
2answers
74 views
Gentiles and Berachoth
It seems pretty obvious that gentiles shouldn't make Berachoth on any Mitzvoth (their 7 aren't exactly ritualistic, and they were not commanded in the rest of ours). But are there any Berachoth that ...
2
votes
3answers
88 views
Bracha Lesheiv B'Suka when making Havdala
When one makes Havdala in the Succa, does one say the Bracha of Lesheiv Basuka?
4
votes
1answer
114 views
Al Netilas Yadayim in morning and after bathroom
Are you supposed to say the bracha al netilas yadayim after doing negel vasser after waking up or going to the bathroom?
3
votes
3answers
61 views
Leishev Basukkah before Shehechiyanu or after?
According to my minhag: on the first night of Sukkos by Kiddush, Leishev Basukkah [לישב בסכה] is said before the bracha of Shehechiyanu [שהחינו]. On the second night, however, Shehechiyanu is said ...
7
votes
2answers
146 views
Can you do benching for 3 people when one person does not know what to say in response?
When you have at least 3 men who ate a meal together, you can bench using the formula "Rabbosai Nivorech", at which point the other men at the table respond "Yehi Shem..." and so on. However, what ...
5
votes
1answer
92 views
Bentching after vomiting
If someone gets sick during a meal, assuming they are not incapacitated as a result, should they still Bentch, or do we say that they did not gain any nourishment and it's like they didn't eat (or at ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
May a child make a Berachah on a Pasul set of 4 species?
May a child make a Berachah on a Pasul set of 4 species that their parents gave them to learn how to make the Berachah and do the Mitzvah?
6
votes
1answer
104 views
גמר חתימה טובה gender
During the nine and a half days ending with Yom Kipur, we wish each other "גמר חתימה טובה" (an end to the good signing). This seems very strange. Shouldn't it be "גמר חתימה טוב" (a good end to the ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
What to do if I want to Bentch, but I also want to keep drinking? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Continuing to drink a Beverage after Birchas HaMazon?
What should I do if I want to Bentch - for any number of reasons - but I want to continue drinking?
Should I:
...
4
votes
3answers
196 views
Humming as an interruption during Birkat Kohanim
Is the humming by the kohanim during birkat kohanim considered a hefsek of their bracha? Please be clear what halachik reasoning allows or disallows this humming.
4
votes
1answer
144 views
Beracha on lighting yom tov candles : before or after?
There are two minhagim concerning the time the beracha should be said on lighting yom tov candles for a woman, before or after (like shabbos neros).
I've read arguments like these :
before, because ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
Making food brachot for others
On Shabbat and Yom Tov, usually one person makes ha'motzi and everyone else at the table says amen and eats some bread. As far as I am aware, during the week, nobody ever eats food without making ...
3
votes
1answer
119 views
What is the effect on me of saying amen?
I understand that if I hear another person make a bracha (and perhaps even if I don't actually hear it), I may? must? respond "amen". I also understand that saying "amen" can allow me to be yotzei ...
2
votes
0answers
31 views
Should I say all blessings aloud?
I find that most people have tendency to say most blessings (on food, going to the bathroom etc.) quietly to themselves. This may preclude others from having a chance to answer amen afterwards. Is the ...
6
votes
0answers
101 views
The blessing for 600,000 Jews
The Gemara (Berakhot 58b) mentions that upon seeing 600,000 Jews one says the blessing "Baruch...Chacham HaRazim" (Who knows all secrets), and this is halacha (Sh.A. O.C. 224:5).
Does any know of any ...
4
votes
0answers
44 views
Answering Amen to quiet Berachoth
According to this answer citing RaM"A (124:11), you can answer Amen to any Berachah even if you don't hear it, so long as you know which one is being said. Does this apply only to Tefillah BeTzibur ...
3
votes
1answer
110 views
Rosh HaShana greeting - L'Shana Tova Tikosaivu - V'chain L'Mar
Rama Orach Chaim 582:9 says in the name of the Tur that the Minhag is to wish one another on the evening of Rosh HaShana L'Shana Tova Tikosaiv. Is there a source that says that people should answer ...
5
votes
2answers
101 views
Washing for bread with bandages covering the hands
If someone has bandages completely covering both hands, what does he do before eating bread?
Normally with a bandage covering part of the hard, I've heard that you wash the rest, but in this case ...
