questions about short prayers called b'rachos ("benedictions" or "blessings")
4
votes
1answer
64 views
Mentioning Chanukah in Al Hamichyah
When Al Hamichyah is recited on a holiday or on the sabbath, it has a short passage inserted relevant to the day. However, there's no addition to Al Hamichyah for when it's recited on Chanukah: ...
1
vote
3answers
70 views
Thanks for the wars
In Al Hannisim we say:
v'al hamilchamot she-asita la-avoteinu
Loosely translated:
And for the wars which you made for our Forefathers
Why are we thanking Hashem for wars?
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Where did they light the Menorah after they won the war with the Greeks
In the Al Hanisim that we add on Chanukah we say:
V'hidliku neirot b'chatzrot kodshecha
Translated as
kindled lights in Your holy courts
It sounds as if the Menorah from the temple was lit outdoors ...
3
votes
0answers
95 views
Proper Bracha on Chanuka candles [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Lhadlik ner (SHEL) Chanukah
What is the proper Nusach - Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanuka or LeHadlik Ner Chanuka?
2
votes
1answer
154 views
What letter is not found in Bentching [closed]
Which letter of the alef-beis isn't found in bentching and what is its significance?
4
votes
3answers
205 views
“Amen” to informal blessings and wishes
There are various strict rules regulating the manner and timing of saying "Amen" following a blesing. In fact, the Gemara (Berachot 47a) lists some pretty severe punishments for people who violate ...
6
votes
4answers
153 views
Lamdeni chukecha. . . amen?
When one is saying a b'racha and realizes only after saying God's name that the b'racha is no longer valid, he can avoid the problem of uttering God's name in vain by tacking on the words "למדני ...
8
votes
3answers
194 views
“Baruch shekivanti…”
There is a phrase of self-compliment people use when they find that they have independently arrived at the same conclusion as someone great. It begins with the words "ברוך שכיוונתי", translated ...
4
votes
2answers
165 views
sameach vs. samach
Nusach S'farad, in the amida ("sh'mone esre") of holidays and Shabas, has "וְשַׂמַּח נַפְשֵׁינוּ בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ" ("v'samach..."), but in sheva b'rachos it has "שַׂמֵּחַ תְּשַׂמַּח" ("sameach...").
...
5
votes
1answer
290 views
What is mazonot?
Could someone kindly explain to me what Mazonot means? I recenlty attended a charity do where the bread rolls were described as mazonot. Another person at the table explained to me that this meant ...
7
votes
2answers
373 views
Bracha on thunder and lightning - how often?
If you are in a rainstorm with thunder and lightning - you make the Brachos for them. What happens if the storm ends and then a few hours later (same day) it is raining again. Do you make another ...
1
vote
3answers
234 views
Miracle Blessing - Birchas HaGomel
When a miracle occurs to someone he makes a Bracha, HaGomel after Kriyas HaTorah. What does a lady do if a miracle occured to her? Does she say the Bracha or does she not? If she does then when does ...
5
votes
2answers
119 views
An absent Panim Chadashos at Sheva Brachos
If you make a Sheva Brachos meal for a new Chosson and Kallah and your Panim Chadashos (new person) does not show up, can you still say the Sheva Brachos?
3
votes
2answers
140 views
Bracha on Kibud Av Va'eim
Why do we not make a Bracha (e.g. every morning) on the mitzvah of honoring one's parents?
2
votes
3answers
416 views
Rav Scheinberg and Tzitzis (series of questions)
I have heard that Rav Scheinberg wore many garments with ציציות on them at a time. . .
Is this true?
If so, why did he do it?
If not, why do other people do it?
How many ברכות do they make when ...
6
votes
3answers
120 views
Amen for Recorded Brochos
Many times I listen to recorded Shiurim (lectures) where the speaker says a Brocho (usually Shehakol on a drink). Should one answer Amen to such Brochos?
3
votes
1answer
65 views
10
votes
5answers
415 views
5
votes
2answers
134 views
Order of הרחמןs in ברכת המזון
We say:
הָרַחֲמָן, הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בַּבַּיִת הַזֶּה וְעַל שֻׁלְחָן זֶה שֶׁאָכַלְנוּ עָלָיו:
May the Merciful One send abundant blessing upon this dwelling and the table at ...
5
votes
2answers
181 views
Bracha on Lemon with Cloves
The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch brings down a minhag to make three Brachos (Eisvay, Minay, Nosson Reiach tov Lapri) on Smell on Yom Kippur to make up for The Hundred bracha a day Obligation and in some ...
3
votes
1answer
88 views
New Al Netilas Yadayim after washing after Defecating During Meal
Should one make a new bracha of al netilas yadayim upon washing his hands after defecating within a meal?
2
votes
2answers
77 views
Apples and Rubia
Why is it that Rosh Hashanah we make a Bracha Haetz on the Apple in Honey but no Hadamah is made on the vegetables IF THEY ARE both not directly part of the Seudah?
2
votes
3answers
201 views
Synthetic Mesh Tztzis
Are mesh Tztzis allowed and can you make a Bracha on them, also are the ones made of Plastic allowed and can you make a Bracha on them and then combined meaning Synthetic mesh Tztzis are they allowed ...
6
votes
4answers
176 views
Brochos on Desserts
Time to get it straight once and for all. When do you / do you not make a Brocho on dessert in a meal (where you washed)?
2
votes
1answer
79 views
Blessing on Mixed Fruit Salad
Does the rule of eker and tafall apply to a fruit salad with fruits and vegtables when their was grapes and other fruits and vegtables inside? Do you have to make a haetz because grapes are one of the ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Blessing underneath bathroom
Is there any problem with reciting a b'racha (or other devarim shebikedusha) underneath a second-floor bathroom?
4
votes
2answers
215 views
If you're really thirsty (e.g. breaking a fast), do you make a bracha first on the water or solids?
I know generally speaking, when prioritizing brachos, if you have food and drink, the food goes first; also, shehakols tend to rank low.
But what if you're really, really thirsty (e.g. breaking a ...
0
votes
4answers
116 views
0
votes
2answers
296 views
Bracha on Blowing Shofar the whole month
Why is there no Bracha made on the Blowing of Shofar in Elul, like there is a bracha when one reads the Meggilah on Purim and lights candles on Chanukah (which are also Rabbinic)?
2
votes
2answers
263 views
5
votes
1answer
151 views
Can a man fulfill his obligation by listening to a woman's Birchos HaShachar?
Can a man fulfill his obligation by listening to a woman's Birchos HaShachar (morning blessings)? What about vice-versa?
I suppose my question breaks down into three parts:
Do women have a lesser ...
11
votes
2answers
143 views
Pool and Tzitzis
Do I need to make another Bracha on putting on tzitzis after I get out of the pool?
4
votes
1answer
439 views
Bracha on Lightning without Thunder
Does anyone have a modern day psak on lightning without thunder colloquially known as "heat lightning"? The Chaye Adam says it's caused by heat and he suggests that maybe is not what the gemara was ...
5
votes
1answer
235 views
When to make a bracha on lightning
The general practice is to make a bracha on the sky illuminating from lightning without actually seeing the bolt.
Does anyone know a source for this? Is this the most appropriate practice?
Also, ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
From Cursing to Blessing
What was Billam's thought process? At first he was going to curse the Jews; after Hashem tells him no, he says 'OK, in that case, let me bless them'? If you want to curse someone, your second option ...
2
votes
3answers
308 views
9
votes
2answers
207 views
Shalom Aleichem in Kiddush Levanah
Why do we say Shalom Aliechem in Kiddush Levanah? And what should one do if there are no other people around (or not enough people around)?
8
votes
3answers
329 views
Why do you make a Bracha on seeing a monkey?
Why do you make the Bracha Mishaneh Habriyos on seeing a monkey?
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Washing hands for eating pizza
How many slices are required to make you responsible to wash on Pizza?
3
votes
2answers
360 views
Meaning of 5th of the Sheva Brachos
One of the Sheva Brachos we say is:
שמח תשמח רעים האהובים, כשמחך יצירך בגן עדן מקדם. ברוך אתה ה', משמח חתן וכלה.
Grant perfect joy to these loving companions, as you did your creations in ...
5
votes
1answer
500 views
Tortilla in halachah?
Is a Tortillah considered lechem (bread), pas habab'knisin (cake/cracker/pie which assumes the status of bread AIUI when one "makes it a seudah"), or is it a stam mezunos? I haven't seen it explicitly ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Last time for Kiddush Levanah
How can I calculate the last possible time to say Kiddush Levanah for a given month?
4
votes
2answers
312 views
B'rachah on Shiluach HaKen
In many, if not most, cases where we fulfill a positive commandment Chazal instituted a blessing (B'rachah) over fulfilling that command.
Looking through Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 292, and other ...
2
votes
2answers
168 views
when do you say amen
Can you say amen to a bracha if you hear the last part, see a gesture of ending, or is it only if you hear all of the brachah.
7
votes
3answers
461 views
What bracha do you make on smoothies?
If I put grapes, apples, strawberrys, watermelons, and other fruits and vegetables, as ingredients, in a smoothie, what bracha do I make, because its filled with foods of different brachos?
7
votes
2answers
157 views
washing your hands and forgetting
If you wash your hands and your mind goes blank and you dont remember if you said a bracha or not. do you make a new one? Do you wash again and then make a new one?
8
votes
1answer
340 views
matzah = mezonos or hamotzi
What is the reasoning of the 2 different minhagim (traditions) on what bracha to say on matzah when its not Peasach?
5
votes
2answers
135 views
Baal Habayis in Bentching
When bentching (saying the prayer after meals), one is to insert a blessing for one's host. I have four scenarios, in which I wonder about whether it is appropriate to say the blessing for the host or ...
2
votes
3answers
122 views
Prayer for when you are traveling
We will be taking a long trip by car that will be spread out over three days with a break for Shabbat in the middle.
What is the halacha for saying Tefilat HaDerech (Prayer for the traveler)? is it ...
3
votes
4answers
478 views
Do bananas make the best karpas?
For karpas at the seder, one is supposed to eat a food on which the blessing "borei pri ha'adama" is made. However, many of the most commonly used food items for karpas (e.g. parsley, raw onion, raw ...
