All Questions
611 questions
10
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7 Seas or The Great Ocean?
Seeing the ocean warrants the recital of a blessing. (Assume for this question like the opinions that the proper bracha is שעשה את הים הגדול as opposed to עושה מעשה בראשית.) It is only recited if one ...
- 101k
10
votes
2
answers
492
views
Why don't we follow the Shulchan Aruch's nusach of the blessing on a rainbow?
Background:
The Talmud (Berachot 59A) and the Rambam (Berachot 10:17), and Tur 229 tell us the blessing of the Rainbow is as follows:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֶלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר ...
- 44.8k
10
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3
answers
1k
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What do you do if your Shabbos host serves chocolate chip challah? [closed]
Based on this shiur from R. Sobolofsky, chocolate chip challah is no different from chocolate babka or other cake and thus has the bracha of mezonos
If that is the case, one would only be able to ...
- 8,031
10
votes
3
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325
views
Do you make a new bracha on lightning & thunder when catching up to the same storm?
This M.Y. question cites Shulchan Aruch O.C. 227 that states that as long as it is overcast, one recites the blessing on lightning / thunder once (unless the storm continues into the next day.) If it ...
- 71.5k
10
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3
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844
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 ...
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
No Blessing on marital relations?
Yebamoth 61b discusses the positive commandment of being fruitful and multiplying. As far as I am aware, one makes no blessing before intercourse. Why not?
Please cite sources!
- 8,320
9
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1
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242
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Serving food at Kiruv Events and OC 169:2
In Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 169:2 the following is noted:
(Source Provided by Sefaria.org)
(לֹא יִתֵּן לֶאֱכֹל אֶלָּא לְמִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ בּוֹ שֶׁיְּבָרֵךְ, הגה: וְיֵשׁ מְקִלִּין אִם נוֹתֵן לְעָנִי ...
- 4,297
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
9
votes
2
answers
681
views
Should a bracha be made on stolen food?
I already know that it is forbidden to make a bracha on a stolen lulav (SA OC 649:1). However, i'm not sure if this also applies to making a bracha on stolen food. The difference seems to be that by a ...
- 23.3k
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Which comes first, borei nefashot, or me'en shalosh?
Which berachah acharonah should one say first: borei nefashot, or me'en shalosh?
(Please cite your sources.)
- 11k
9
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1
answer
630
views
Is a bracha said when eating non-food items (e.g. paper)?
If someone wants to eat something that is not considered food (e.g. paper), is a bracha required? Obviously if one is, it would be shehacol.
- 23.3k
9
votes
1
answer
412
views
Is there a bracha for blooming non-fruit trees?
I understand that one says Birkat Ha'Ilanot on seeing the blossoms on a fruit tree. Does a tree that blooms but doesn't produce fruit get a bracha? And if so, which one?
I'm asking about trees from a ...
- 57k
9
votes
1
answer
719
views
When to say shehecheyanu on a new fruit?
Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 225:3 records that the custom is to recite the shehecheyanu blessing on a new fruit when one eats it.
At what point precisely does one say shehecheyanu? Before reciting ...
- 46.6k
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What b'racha do you say on seeing the Aurora Borealis (if any)?
If one is so lucky as to see the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) or its southern equivalent, does one say a b'racha? If so which one? I've heard that oseh ma'aseh v'reishit applies to comets and ...
- 57k
9
votes
2
answers
734
views
bracha on tefillin while sitting
The shulchan aruch apparently writes (by hilchos tzitzis) that one should stand while reciting birchas hamitzvah. Tefillin are a mitzvah. So why is the Sfardic minhag to sit while putting them on and ...
- 38.7k
9
votes
2
answers
596
views
What would the beracha be on tree-leaves?
What blessing would one make on leaves from [woody] trees that are routinely eaten? Is it ha'eitz, because they came from a tree? Is it ha-adama, because they're not "fruit" but are vegetative? Is it ...
- 48.6k
9
votes
1
answer
322
views
Permissibility of shortening long Brachot for teaching to children
Many children are old enough to learn short brachot (and somewhat understand them, if explained), but don't have the memory/patience for longer brachot.
Frustratingly, many of the brachot that could ...
- 10.8k
9
votes
1
answer
275
views
Saying a b'racha acharona and continuing to eat other food
Suppose someone is eating something that requires saying a b'racha meen shalosh — for example, noodles — and something that requires saying "bore n'fashos" — for example, salad or ...
- 73.9k
9
votes
3
answers
263
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 http://torahmusings.com/2010/11/...
- 731
9
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2
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1k
views
Minimum Halachic Definition of Bread
This is sort of the counter question to Mezonos bread. At what point does a grain based admixture transition between bread and non bread?
To clarify:
The general position of Sephardic Jewry is that ...
- 5,184
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does one say a beracha on medication?
Does one say a beracha on medication? Does it matter whether it tastes nice or not? Is there a difference between pills and liquid medicine?
- 1,474
8
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2
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8k
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Bracha on Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread
Food for Life manufactures a bread under the Hashgacha of the Kaf-K called Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread
This bread is flourless and has the following ingredients. Organic Sprouted Whole Wheat, ...
- 140k
8
votes
4
answers
663
views
Should one say a bracha upon seeing a person with albinism?
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:13-14 states that one should say the bracha of Mishaneh Habrios when seeing, among other things, an exceptionally dark-skinned or light-skinned person. The notes in the ...
- 502
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can you say berachot in your underwear?
If for whatever reason you happen to be in your underwear (just woke up, just took a shower, etc), are you allowed to say berachot (such as asher yatzar or shehakol on water) before getting fully ...
- 13.3k
8
votes
3
answers
235
views
Holding a child during bentching,kiddush,havdallah
Is there any reason to say that its problematic to hold a child during bentching and so on... because one is thinking about not dropping what he is holding,like by Shmoneh Esrei (96:1) one should not ...
- 42.7k
8
votes
4
answers
445
views
Saying Baruch Shepatrani for a girl
Do you say Boruch Shepatrani for a girl at her Bas Mitzva? If not, why not?
- 140k
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How beautiful for the bracha on beautiful people?
In the siddur there is a beracha to say upon seeing an exceptionally beautiful person.
How beautiful must said person be?
May I say it on either gender?
Do I say this in front of the person or do I ...
- 9,127
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Niagara Falls does it require a Bracha if so which one?
Do you make a bracha when seeing Niagara falls, and, if a bracha is made, which bracha?
- 361
8
votes
2
answers
210
views
When can I speak after eating?
After making a Berachah on food, it is considered a Hefsek to speak before eating said food.
At what point after beginning to eat is it permissible to speak?
After the first bite?
After the first ...
- 41.9k
8
votes
1
answer
192
views
Bracha on Synthetic Smells
What is or is there a Bracha on Synthetically developed smells in the halachic literature and what is the source as I would Imagine artificial scents are a recent phenomenon?
- 9,149
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1
answer
2k
views
Papaya - Ha'Etz or Ha'Adama?
I have heard that there is a dispute as to which Bracha you should make on papaya, Ha'Etz or Ha'Adama? Why? (sources)
- 140k
8
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1
answer
310
views
Does one make a blessing on the scent of tea bags?
When I open a new box of tea bags, especially one that was sealed before I opened, I enjoy smelling the strong smell of the tea and/or various herbs that are in there.
Does this require a birkas ...
- 19.3k
8
votes
1
answer
499
views
Incorrect bracha covering another food
Suppose someone is eating a fruit which requires a bracha rishona of ha'etz, but the person accidentally makes a ha'adama. Since ha'adama is the more general bracha, it covers his fruit and he does ...
- 25.1k
8
votes
2
answers
400
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 ...
- 20.2k
8
votes
3
answers
2k
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Mezuzah in the work place
If a Jewish person works in a 'non-Jewish' workplace (that he does not own) to what extent does he need to place a mezuzah on the doorposts of his personal/shared office and other building entrances? ...
- 10.5k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Kiddush Levana and Women
If a women would like to say the prayer of Kiddush Levana is she allowed to say it with a brocha? (not together with men)
- 123
8
votes
1
answer
137
views
Does an unnecessary brocho pesucha on Hallel necessitate a brocho siyuma?
We had an interesting question arise in our Shul this past Yom Yerushalayim. Our shul has a minhag of saying Hallel without a brocho in Shacharis. At one of the minyanim, the chazzan said a brocho at ...
- 1,432
8
votes
1
answer
2k
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How to fix incorrect omer count
Suppose someone accidentally counts the wrong day of the omer after making a bracha, and then realizes later that night what he had done. How should he rectify this? Should he count the correct day ...
- 25.1k
8
votes
2
answers
444
views
Can you do benching for 3 people when one person does not know what to say in response?
When you have at least 3 men who ate a meal together, you can bench using the formula "Rabbosai Nivorech", at which point the other men at the table respond "Yehi Shem..." and so on. However, what ...
- 1,906
8
votes
1
answer
288
views
Must the electrical lights be dimmed or turned off while saying "Borei Me'orei Ha'Esh"?
As a follow up to an answer given in Havdalah and fingers which says:
The Mishnah in Berachos 51b writes that one should not make the
blessing of "Bore Moerei Ha'esh" should only be made if one ...
- 71.5k
8
votes
1
answer
452
views
What should you do if you washed and planned to have a meal with bread but realized that the bread went bad?
Say you had in mind to have a regular meal with bread. After washing and saying homotzi lechem min harataz and taking a bite of bread, you realize that the bread is bad.
Now all you have left to eat ...
- 13.3k
8
votes
1
answer
174
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
...
- 5,189
8
votes
1
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1k
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Kiddush on Sukkos before tzeit?
The first night of Sukkos we make kiddush after tzeit (Rama 639:3). My understanding is that this is purely because of the bracha of לישב בסוכה which you can't say until it's definitely night (Magen ...
- 9,421
8
votes
1
answer
207
views
Making a bracha for someone else, can then use for one's self?
Consider the following 2 situations:
Reuvan is unable to make kiddush and has asked Shimon (who already made kiddush for himself) to make kiddush for him (Reuvan).
Shimon, however, says he can't ...
- 16.2k
8
votes
2
answers
526
views
Borrowing a talis and wearing a talis katan. Say a b'racha?
The common and accepted practice among married Ashk'nazim, at least, is that they don a talis katan in the morning without saying a b'racha for the mitzva, and, later, when donning the talis gadol for ...
- 73.9k
8
votes
2
answers
324
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 ...
7
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Rainbow, telling a friend
We know The rainbow is a bad Omen. Is one allowed to tell a friend when he sees one, in order to allow him to make a Bracha or should he hold back as it is a bad sign?
- 9,149
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votes
3
answers
2k
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Does a married woman have to cover her hair to make a bracha?
When making a bracha with shem u'malchut, one should not have erva (nakedness) exposed. For married women, their hair is considered to be erva. So does a woman who is married have to cover her hair ...
- 25.1k
7
votes
2
answers
1k
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If someone has BO and can't smell themselves, may they say blessings?
"Just as one separates oneself from excreta, urine, a foul odor, a corpse and the sight of nakedness for Kri'at Shema, so too, he should separate himself for Shemoneh Esreh". (Rambam. Hilchos Tefillah ...
7
votes
3
answers
548
views
Resources on learning blessings on food
I would love to start saying brachos (blessings) before and after food. What resources would you recommend for learning the blessings, and for knowing which ones to select in what order? (Yes, “ask ...
- 121