All Questions
Tagged with blessing halacha-theory
31 questions
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
If saying a Beracha over a worldly benefit is a logical mitzva, are non believers exempt? Are Chazal saying Hashem's existence is a svara?
According to the Gemara (Brachot 35a), the halacha of saying a beracha before benefiting from the world is a svara; a halacha derived from logic:
סברא הוא: אסור לו לאדם שיהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה
...
- 14.8k
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
Minimum amount for beracha achorona
According to Halacha what is the Minimum amount to eat before Jews are obligated to recite a beracha achorona? Is it a disputed question?
- 4,532
1
vote
2
answers
130
views
What's the point of a bracha before eating?
B"H
The Gemara in Brochos says that anyone who benefits from this world with a brocho is as if he benefited from "holy sacrificial food" (which should only be eaten by a kohen etc.)
The ...
5
votes
1
answer
713
views
Why is the bracha on mashed potatoes "haadama" despite being mashed up but the bracha on applesauce is "shahakol" unless there are pieces in it?
Why is the bracha on mashed potatoes "haadama" despite being mashed up but the bracha on applesauce is "shahakol" unless there are pieces in it that are not mashed up?
- 4,685
2
votes
1
answer
241
views
Theological issues to certain brachot
According to the way many people understand the Rambam in Mishneh Torah but especially in Moreh Nevuchim, and many other Jewish Philosophers, when the Torah uses any words to describe Hashem, they are ...
- 14.8k
3
votes
1
answer
147
views
Difference between B'racha She'eina Tzaricha and B'racha L'vatala
I've seen both these terms in halachic sources, in reference to a B'racha that should not have been made. But I'm not sure what the difference is.
- 2,661
1
vote
0
answers
75
views
A bracha on a tallit gadol and not kosher T"Katan
Does partially intentionally wrong kavanah make a bracha a bracha levatalah?
If I put on my tzitzit and notice that a string is missing (or something else which would invalidate it as proper tzitzit) ...
- 38.7k
1
vote
0
answers
145
views
Why is a beracha levatala considered saying G-d's name in vain?
If for example one was holding a piece of pineapple and with concentration made the bracha of HaEtz, with the intention to praise G-d for creating fruit, and then afterwards realizes that he made the ...
- 591
3
votes
1
answer
314
views
A barmitzvah boy saying shehechiyanu on new tefillin when wearing them prior to barmitzvah
Following on from this question and assuming that you make the bracha of shehechiyanu on new tefillin...
If a barmitzvah boy has the custom to start wearing his tefillin early. So for example, in ...
- 34.5k
1
vote
1
answer
115
views
Food brachot before and after eating
Does a bracha said after eating a specific food rely on the food being eaten or on the bracha (and its intention) made at the beginning?
If, hypothetically, I make a shehakol at the beginning and then ...
- 38.7k
3
votes
0
answers
72
views
Aninut and food
After the death of a close relative and before the burial (or the cessation of involvement with the body) one is in a stage of Aninut. During that time, one is exempted (or even forbidden) from many ...
- 38.7k
4
votes
0
answers
100
views
A woman saying Shehechyanu on Channukah
I have been reviewing some discussions of a married woman's obligation to light Channukah candles. It appears that according to some, a married woman, whose husband is lighting at home does not light. ...
- 38.7k
2
votes
1
answer
118
views
Birchas Ha'Gomel and probabilistic dangers
There are many questions of the type "Is Bh"G said after X". The simplified understanding of the Gemmorah in Brochos 54b (see Rash"i "צריכין להודות - כשיוצאין מן הסכנה:") is that the 4 cases present [...
- 28k
1
vote
0
answers
188
views
Blessing for indistinguishably unrecognizable corn
Halachic authorities rule that very similar products, such as different brands of Corn Flakes, have different blessings. See, e.g., Rabbi Dovid Haber, writing for the Star-K, and citing Rav Moshe ...
- 17.9k
1
vote
0
answers
36
views
Do the works on sacrifices require Blessings to validate the intent?
Disclaimer: this is not a Halachic question and I didn't research much yet.
There's a whole subject of having wrong thoughts when bringing a sacrifice and performing numerous actions by the owner or ...
- 28k
5
votes
1
answer
220
views
'Tadir' and Brachos
There is a rule 'תדיר ושאינו תדיר, תדיר קודם'. Loosely translated: When faced with two mitzvos, one must first perform the one which occurs more frequently.
Q: When it comes to bracha achrona, we ...
- 11.2k
-1
votes
1
answer
228
views
If a person forgot whether they have already recited krias shema al hamita are they permited to say hamapil and should they do so?
based on the idea of sufek derabanan lekula (a doubt in regards to a rabbinical ruling results in a leniency) and sufek d'orysa lechumra (a doubt on a Torah ruling results in a stringency) being that ...
- 4,685
3
votes
0
answers
97
views
How sick does one have to be to qualify for a "Mi Shebberach"? [duplicate]
Are there guidelines about how sick you have to be to be included in the mi shebberach list read during the torah service? A cold? Bronchitis? The flu? Pneumonia? I'm not asking about private ...
- 23.6k
6
votes
1
answer
175
views
Halachic status of ישמך אלקים כאפרים וכמנשה
Yaakov blessed Ephraim and Menashe by stating that future generations would bless their children by saying "ישמך אלקים כאפרים וכמנשה" - "God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh" (Gen. 48:20). Was this ...
- 9,421
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
Why don't we add special Holiday sections to Al Hamichya on Purim or Chanukah? [duplicate]
Much like Birkat Hamazon, there are special Holiday sections added to Al Hamichya on all of the Yom Tov days that do not involve fasting. Unlike Birkhat Hamazon, however, Purim and Chanukah are not ...
- 5,437
2
votes
1
answer
291
views
What is the halachic definition of "tzurat hapat" in terms of requiring birkat hamotzi?
A comment below this M.Y. answer says that one of the requirements to make a blessing of "Hamotzi" is that the item must have "tzurat hapat" (the form / shape of bread.)
I am unclear as to what the ...
- 71.5k
2
votes
1
answer
93
views
When do we say a bracha on performing a mitzva and when not?
There is no bracha on visiting the sick. When and why do we perform a mitzva without saying a bracha? What is the logic or source behind performing some certain mitzvot without saying a bracha? Is ...
- 8,383
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Biur Chametz and hefsek
On the evening of the day before Pesach, we search for Chametz and put aside what we find so that we may destroy it in some way the next morning. Before we start, we make the bracha "al biur chametz" (...
- 38.7k
7
votes
1
answer
212
views
Losing concentration in the middle of the first blessing of Shemoneh Esrei
First, a little background information:
According to halakhah, there are two types of berakhoth: "long" and "short."
"Long" *berakhoth" are those that have a pethihah ("opening", i.e. "Barukh Atah ...
user3342
2
votes
1
answer
343
views
Netilat Yadayim: Blessing Before or After?
These may not be the original sources for either shiTTah, but two early examples of either of them can be found in the Rambam, Mishneh Thorah - Hilkhoth Berakhoth 6:2 (mevorekh batteHiloh), and in the ...
user3342
3
votes
1
answer
45
views
Are enclosed modes of transportation domains?
Do the laws that pertain to domains apply the same way to enclosed modes of transportation?
Eg:
If one begins a meal on a high speed train in one city, but finished the meal in another city, does ...
- 41.9k
6
votes
1
answer
157
views
Does Rav Sa`adya Gaon hold that t'philin require one b'rakha or two?
I see in the Sidur HaRasa"g that he makes a seemingly strange comment about the b'rakha(oth) of t'philin. He states:
התפילין כשמהדקים של היד על היד ושל ראש על הראש צריך לברך אקבמ"ו להניח תפילין
...
user3342
9
votes
2
answers
519
views
Who Commanded Us, and For What?
Whenever a Jew performs an activity that is mandated by the Torah, s/he recites the blessing that acknowledges God, "אשר קדשנו במצוותיו" (who sanctified us with his commandments), and who commanded us ...
- 19.1k
1
vote
2
answers
214
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 ...
- 41.9k
18
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why aren't Purim and Channuka considered a violation of לֹא תֹסִפוּ?
It says in Devarim 4:2:
לֹא תֹסִפוּ עַל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת מִצְוֹת יְ־הֹוָ־ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם
Translated:
Do ...
9
votes
3
answers
266
views
Berakhos recited over food - Mitzvah or Matir?
Is it a mitzvah to recite a benediction over a piece of food, or is there a prohibition forbidding one from eating food without reciting a benediction beforehand?
I believe that this is a similar ...
- 6,059