Clean hands for a blessing

Hi,

One must have clean hands when reciting any blessing; therefore, one who has been eating should wash his hands before reciting a blessing.

This is distinct from the practice of mayim acharonim recorded in the Talmud; it is a matter of respect for the blessing.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:140:2)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Reciting a berachah with an empty mouth

Hello,

The Talmud (Berachot 51a) teaches that one's mouth must be empty when he recites a blessing, to fulfill the verse (Tehillim 71:8), "My mouth will be full of praise for You." This includes even crumbs and small particles.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:130)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Reciting berachot out loud

Hi,

It is good to recite one's berachah out loud, to enable others to respond Amen. However, this is not an obligation.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:39:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

HaMalbish?

Hi,

Most of our blessings identify Gd with the definite object - hamotzi lechem, hagomeil, hameichin mitzadei gaver. However, a minority of blessings do not use the definite object - malbish arumim, matir asurim. One should not alter the minority to match the majority's grammar.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:36:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Drying during asher yatzar

Hi,

Normally, one is not permitted to engage in a task while reciting a berachah (blessing), because this would be distracting and because this would reflect a lack of respect for the berachah. However, one may dry his hands while reciting the "Asher yatzar" berachah that follows use of the washroom, since drying is part of the mitzvah that one is performing, and not a separate, potentially disrespectful task.

[I must admit that I am confused as to what 'mitzvah' is involved here. - MT]

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:17)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Sitting down at the shul kiddush

Hi,

Is there a preference for sitting or standing while the Rav recites kiddush at the shul kiddush?

Ideally, one should recite kiddush on behalf of another only when both parties are seated at the same table, in order to establish and define the group that is fulfilling its mitzvah together. This applies to havdalah as well. However, if a group of people gathers in a clearly defined space with intent to perform a mitzvah as one, then standing is acceptable.

In another halachah related to sitting and kiddush, one should sit while reciting al hamichyah after eating cookies or cake, as one does for the berachot of hamotzi and birkat hamazon. This is meant to display respect for the berachah, and to aid concentration. However, one who eats while walking to a destination may stand while reciting the berachah; this is not disrespectful, because the eating itself takes place while standing, and because sitting down for the berachah would cause a distracting delay in the trip.

(Berachot 43a; Tosafot ibid. ho'il; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 167:11, 183:9-10; 184:; 213:1; Mishneh Berurah 271:46; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 271:24. And see Rivivot Ephraim 1:151:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Giving food to someone who will not recite a berachah

Hi,

One should avoid giving food to someone who will not recite a berachah. However, one who feels he must provide food, lest he appear rude, should find a way to ask the person to recite a berachah. Then, even should the person decline to do so, the host will have fulfilled his personal obligation.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:13:1, 5:13:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Berachot without belief

Hi,

A berachah is invalid if it is recited by someone who rejects the existence of Gd or the validity of Torah. Therefore, his berachah on food, for example, could not fulfill the obligation of a listener.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:50)

Have a great day,
Mordechai