questions about short prayers called b'rachos ("benedictions" or "blessings")
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Bracha for fruit that is part of the meal
Does fruit eaten as part of a bread meal (rather than as dessert) require its own bracha?
3
votes
0answers
60 views
Berachah LeVatalah (blessing in vain) retroactively
Can a Berachah be made LeVatalah retroactively?
What if you eat something that is spoiled, not realizing it until a bite or two in? You would not make a Berachah on spoiled food. But if you did, ...
2
votes
0answers
64 views
Drinking from a drinking fountain throughout the day
This question deals with someone who has a cup of a drink and carries it around all day long, possibly refilling it, etc. I am wondering, for someone who drinks from a drinking fountain every time he ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
What to do if you realize while Bentching that you want more to eat or drink?
What do you do if you realize while you are Bentching that you want more to eat or drink? Let's say you realize you are thirsty, or you are Bentching early, and the host brings out the next course and ...
4
votes
1answer
94 views
What b'rachot do you say (and when) if you drink intermittently all day?
I know people who drink water, tea, or coffee intermittently all day long, not just as part of a meal. In that situation, when would you say what b'rachot? Assume you made shehakol before the first ...
4
votes
3answers
177 views
Continuing to drink a Beverage after Birchas HaMazon?
Perhaps this is a simple matter that I should be embarrassed not to know (which I am even if it isn't because I need to learn hilchos b'rachos better and always forget to look this question up) ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
What is the significance of “white glass”?
In the bracha to Yissachar and Zevulun Moshe mentions that
For by the riches of the sea they will be nourished, and by the treasures concealed in the sand.” (Devarim 33:18-19)
Rashi explains ...
1
vote
0answers
76 views
What is the bracha for gnocchi? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the beracha on gnocchi?
I'm not sure whether gnocchi have mezonos. Does anybody know? Also, if not, would they be haadama or shehakol?
2
votes
2answers
74 views
Hierarchy in ברכות השחר?
Of course there is a set order in the Siddur, but is there a hierarchy in ברכות השחר? If, for example, someone did not wash his hands or use the bathroom when he woke up, can he say Elokai Neshamah or ...
4
votes
1answer
133 views
Should one say amen to an unnecessary bracha made by a child on the autism spectrum?
If a very verbal (often too verbal) 12 year old child on the autism spectrum has trouble speaking appropriately and particularly likes to say a bracha when he wants to and not necessarily when it's ...
2
votes
0answers
30 views
Is the brochah made on gum for the base or the flavoring?
When the brochah shehakol is made on gum, is the brochah being made on the gum base, or the flavoring? (I'm assuming one makes a brochah on gum, but maybe not: see ...
11
votes
3answers
170 views
I heard not to say “Good Shabbos” after mincha. Is it true, and what defines mincha?
I heard from somewhere that, on Shabbos, one does not say "Good Shabbos" after mincha. I am not sure whether it's in a halacha sefer somewhere (I tried looking) or just a minhag.
First of all, is ...
5
votes
1answer
96 views
What bracha would the fruit of a parasitic plant be? (Or the plant itself.)
Parasitic plants do not grow in the ground, instead they grow on other plants. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitic_plant
List of examples: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/ParasiteFood.html
...
5
votes
1answer
108 views
Having dessert “in mind”
This has always confused me. One is not supposed to make unnecessary Berachoth, so one should "have in mind" to eat all of the foods that will be served in the meal when one begins the meal and makes ...
6
votes
1answer
94 views
Is Chazaq Chazaq v'nitchazeq חזק חזק ונתחזק an interruption for the reader?
Is it considered a hefsek for the Ba'al Kore to say חזק חזק ונתחזק, and, if it's not an interruption, is there a different problem because he is saying something which is not written in the Torah?
2
votes
0answers
53 views
Changing the 'Omer sign
If a Shul has an 'Omer sign that is manually changed, may someone change it before making the Berachah on the night's count?
If not, and if the solution is to change it before Bein HaShemashoth, can ...
2
votes
0answers
94 views
Text for birchat habayit
I'd like to write a couple birchos habayis and get them illuminated as gifts. Does anyone know of a good existing text? I'm looking for something five or six lines long, preferably not the usual one ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Making a Berachah on rabbinically prohibited foods
Should one refrain from making a Berachah on rabbinically prohibited foods, or does that rule only apply to biblically prohibited foods?
0
votes
1answer
82 views
Does Baruch HaShem Le'Olam (Ma'ariv; Ashkenazi) count as Birchoth Keriath Shema'?
Does Baruch HaShem Le'Olam have the same Din as Birchoth Keriath Shema' in terms of interruption?
If you are in the middle of the Berachah, do you respond to the same things as you would if you were ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Bracha on Smoking
(Inspired by Double AA) Based on the Premise (which I may be wrong on) that there are pieces of the actual Tobacco leaves or whatever else is smoked in the inhaled part of the smoke hence there would ...
4
votes
0answers
156 views
Why ad meah v'esrim?
Why do we bless people with "ad meah v'esrim"? Aren't we supposed to believe moshiach will come by then, and there will be eternal life (according to some opinions)? Thus by giving a blessing for a ...
12
votes
2answers
915 views
Proper recitation of Hamakom Yenachem
Is the proper phrase to console a mourner always the plural המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים or should it be changed depending on whom it is said to (singluar, feminine, etc.)?
6
votes
1answer
112 views
Can you sing during the sheva brachos?
I have been to weddings where, during the recitation of the seventh bracha under the chuppah, the congregation sings "asher bara...". Sometimes it is along with the one reciting the bracha and other ...
10
votes
3answers
180 views
Halachic status of kamut
Khorasan wheat, often known by one popular brand name thereof, KAMUT®, is an ancient grain that is related to modern-day wheat, but has a number of differences. Does it have the halachic status of ...
4
votes
1answer
98 views
Why make a bracha on an earthquake but not on an eclipse?
According to this page, Chaza"l intentionally omitted solar and lunar eclipses from the list of natural phenomena upon which we make a bracha. The following explanation is given:
"The Hebrew term ...
6
votes
1answer
91 views
Is there an exhaustive list of astronomical/environmental events for which there are blessings?
Inspired by:
What Bracha do you say on a Hurricane?
What Blessing Does One Make on a Solar Eclipse?
Bracha for the transit of Venus?
Is there anywhere in the Halachic literature that lists all of ...
9
votes
2answers
154 views
Bracha for the transit of Venus?
Venus is transiting today for the last time until 2117 (or 5878, if you prefer). Is there a specific bracha that should be made upon witnessing this spectacular event?
6
votes
1answer
79 views
Why don't we say Hagomel after driving through a desert?
The Gemara says that four have to say Hagomel:
One who went overseas
One who went into a desert.
One who was [deathly] ill.
One who was in prison [on a capital crime].
Everyone (to the best of my ...
8
votes
1answer
117 views
Replies to “l'chayim”
The most common responses I've heard to a wish of "l'chayim!" ("life!") is
"l'chayim tovim ulshalom" ("a good life and peace!") except from Lubavitch chasidim and
"l'chayim v'livracha" ("life and ...
3
votes
0answers
161 views
Brachos and Amen “parties”
What is the source for brachos and amen parties wherein a group of people sit together and take turns making various brachot and answering amen? Do these events violate any halachot?
12
votes
1answer
172 views
Who knows science?
On whom does one recite the blessing "ברכת שנתן מחכמתו לבשר ודם" (the blessing recited on non-Jewish scientists)?
Does he have to be a Ph.D? Does he have to have inventions to his name?
Did he have ...
9
votes
1answer
141 views
Upon whom would one make this blessing?
Upon whom today would you make the bracha - Baruch Attah Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam She’chalak Mei’chochmaso Li’rei’av, that He bestowed of His wisdom to those who fear Him (Gemara Brachos 58a)? ...
11
votes
2answers
169 views
What is the bracha on “cookies and cream” flavor ice cream?
I saw here that Rav Belsky holds the following:
One of the flavors of Klein's parve ice cream is "Cookies and Cream" which contains cookie crumbs or bits which are sprinkled through areas of ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
Bracha on cheesecake
If you are eating a piece of cheesecake which consists of a thin crust and mostly cheese filling - what Bracha do you make on it?
4
votes
0answers
106 views
HaMalach HaGoel Osi
Why does Yakov ask the malach (angel) (actually it sounds more like a statement of fact - "he will...") who protected him from evil to bless Ephraim and Menashe? Also, do we find that this actually ...
7
votes
2answers
103 views
Making two brachos at once
When eating a food that requires two brachos (Crispix, some salads etc.) I was told that the correct procedure is to make one bracha on part, eat it and then make another bracha on the next part. Why ...
11
votes
1answer
168 views
What Blessing Does One Make on a Solar Eclipse?
What Blessing Does One Make on a Solar Eclipse? I will be in Nevada next week and would like to make a blessing over the May 21 Solar Eclipse. Thanks!
4
votes
0answers
66 views
an adult's responding to a child's sneeze with a blessing, or vice versa
The halacha states (Mishnah Brurah 230: 7) that one should respond to a sneeze with a blessing and the person who sneezed and was blessed should return with a blessing in kind. this is not done if you ...
6
votes
1answer
67 views
Final Nun vs. Final Mem in “Madlikin”
In the Hanerot Halalu that we recite when lighting the Hanukkah candles, it says "anachnu madlikin." Why madlikin and not madlikim? Why is a final nun used and not a final mem? I have searched ...
8
votes
1answer
84 views
Beracha on Intravenous
There Gemara Berachot 35 says "anyone who enjoys from this world without a Beracha is stealing."
Does one make a Beracha on intravenous feeding?
8
votes
2answers
131 views
May one recite a bracha while in the presence of ervah?
May one recite a bracha while in the presence of ervah? According to Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 75, one may not pray or recite Torah while in the presence of body parts that should be covered. Does ...
3
votes
1answer
407 views
What is the source of the Birkat Habayit?
What is the source of the text of the Birkat Habayit:
I've seen them written on a hand, and some come with garlic, multi-colored beads, and some other strange objects.
Inspired by: ...
7
votes
1answer
91 views
Wheelchair-bound and matir asurim, zokef kefufim?
Is someone who is wheelchair-bound obligated to say matir asurim or zokef kefufim if they cannot get up?
10
votes
1answer
202 views
Should I say “amen” to a malformed bracha?
If I hear somebody substantially mispronounce a bracha, should I say amen anyway (recognizing the intent) or remain silent? I'm not talking about nuances like pronouncing 'ayin or distinguishing ...
5
votes
2answers
65 views
Saying Baruch Shepatrani for a girl
Do you say Boruch Shepatrani for a girl at her Bas Mitzva? If not, why not?
7
votes
1answer
128 views
Minimal Body Covering to say Blessings
Can I say a brachah with just boxers on, or do I need a "double covering" For example, when I wake up and want to wash netilat yadayim?
2
votes
1answer
41 views
“HagGomel” and Sefer Torah
The widespread practice seems to say the beracha of HagGomel in the presence of a Sefer Torah. Is this a halacha or a minhag? What is the source for this practice?
Furthermore, what is the ...
3
votes
2answers
781 views
If someone has BO and can't smell themselves, may they say blessings?
At hashkafah.com, the user named "critic" asks:
If someone has body odor (BO) and they can't smell themselves, would they be able to make a bracha?
Also, may they say words of Torah?
[Edit: I ...
