Before using an iPhone, what bracha should I say? On one side, it's Apple, so it could be "bore peri haetz". But on the other side, it is made of metal, so it could also be "bore peri matechet".
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1technically, the bracha on metal is borei minei ha'adamah – Isaac Kotlicky Mar 13 '16 at 16:37
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related judaism.stackexchange.com/q/80768/759 judaism.stackexchange.com/q/55508/759 – Double AA♦ Mar 10 '17 at 16:16
Before saying a bracha on an iPhone, you first need to make sure it is kosher. The laws of kosher phones are complicated but many hold that iPhones are not kosher. For instance, the iPhone does not meet the criteria of kosher phones according to the Vaad Harabonim or the Star-K (under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann).
The Shulchan Aruch (Orah Hayyim 196:1) rules that non-kosher items do not require before or after brachot. However if you use an iPhone in emergency mode in case of danger, then SA (OC 204:9) rules that you do need a bracha before and after.
I can see two solutions if you persist in wanting to use an iPhone
- There is an Apple Kashruth Commission (see logo below) that certifies some models and you could check with them.
- Some poskim (e.g., R Aviner) hold that phones don't need to be kosher if you won't stumble with them. So CYLOR (check with your local orthodox repairman).
In these two cases, don't forget to say she-ekhianu the first time you use your new iPhone.
