Why is the blessing hatov v'hametiv recited only on wine?
and why is it said only in a case where a second type of wine is brought.
looking for the message behind the halacha
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Isn't the bracha also said on hearing good news that also affect someone else? IIRC, SA mentions that if your father dies but leaves you a large inheritance you say both Dayan Ha'emet and Hatov Vehamitiv. So, I don't think this is limited to good wine, but, I'm glad you indirectly reminded me to buy a bottle of Alfasi Merlot :-)– DanFApr 16, 2015 at 21:39
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2@DanF He is referring to the bracha said on multiple versions of the same food.– Double AA ♦Apr 16, 2015 at 22:16
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2 Answers
This yeshiva.org.il article suggests an answer to your question:
This is because wine is unique in that not only does it satiate, it also gladdens the heart. In addition, each type of wine has its own unique character, and when additional types of wine are consumed in company there is greater joy. This is why the sages instituted a special blessing over the consumption of additional types of wine (Berachot 59b; Tosefot and Rosh ad loc.).
While the rabbinic understanding is sourced in Talmud Bavli Berachot 35b, it is based on the specific biblical (albeit, Ketuvim) application of 'to gladden/be happy' found in Psalms 104:15.
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Could you be a little more specific - most of us here aren't all that familiar with random sources. Aug 2, 2015 at 13:37
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Harav Siddur birchas hanenenin 12.13 שמפני חשיבות היין שהוא משמח אלהים ואנשים תקנו חכמים עליו עוד ברכה כשמרבים בשמחה להביא ממנו לשתות עוד יין שני. chabadlibrary.org/books/adhaz/piskey/52/12– hazorizAug 2, 2015 at 22:11
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And 12.19 there אבל לא השותה יחיד שכן משמעות הברכה הטוב לו והמטיב לחבירו שעמו. וגם שהחיינו אינו מברך כי לא תקנו הברכה אלא משום רבוי השמחה ובשותה יחידי אין רבוי שמחה כל כך ולכן גם אם חברו שותה היין זה בחדר אחר אינו מצטרף:– hazorizAug 6, 2015 at 20:40