The term "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" refers to the "Beracha Aharona" recited after eating grain products ("Al Ha'mihya"), after drinking wine ("Al Ha'gefen") or after eating one of the special fruits ("Al Ha'etz"). Why is this Beracha called "Me'en Shalosh," which literally means, "resembling three"?
At first glance, one might think that this term refers to the fact that this "Beracha Aharona" comes in three different versions. As mentioned, included under the category of "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" is the Beracha recited after eating grain products, the Beracha recited after drinking wine, and the Beracha recited after eating one of the special fruits. Instinctively, then, one might have thought that the term "Me'en Shalosh" somehow alludes to the three different Berachot included under this category.
In truth, however, this understanding is incorrect. As the Mishna Berura (commentary to the Shulhan Aruch by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) explains (208:50; listen to audio recording for precise citation), these Berachot are termed "Me'en Shalosh" because they address the themes of the three sections of Birkat Ha'mazon. The first Beracha of Birkat Ha'mazon, "Birkat Ha'zan," expresses thanks to the Almighty for providing nourishment. Correspondingly, we begin "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" by thanking God for either "Ha'mihya Ve'ha'kalkala" – our food and sustenance, "Ha'etz" – fruits, or "Ha'gefen" – wine. The second Beracha of Birkat Ha'mazon expresses gratitude for the Land of Israel, a theme which we mention as well in the "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" – "Ve'al Eretz Hemda Tova…" Finally, the theme of the third Beracha of Birkat Ha'mazon, the rebuilding of the Temple and Jerusalem, is represented in "Me'en Shalosh" with the clause, "U'vne Yerushalayim Ir Ha'kodesh…"
As the Mishna Berura notes, the "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" contains as well a reference to the theme of the fourth Beracha of Birkat Ha'mazon, which speaks of God's goodness ("Ha'tov Ve'ha'metiv") – "Ki Ata Hashem Tov U'metiv La'kol." Nevertheless, the Mishna Berura explains, we refer to this Beracha as a compendium of three Berachot because the Torah obligation of Birkat Ha'mazon includes only the first three Berachot; the fourth Beracha was introduced later, by the Sages. Hence, since the essential Torah obligation requires the recitation of only three Berachot, we call the "Beracha Aharona" that contains brief references to the themes of Birkat Ha'mazon the "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" – the shortened version of the three Berachot of Birkat Ha'mazon.
Summary: The term "Beracha Me'en Shalosh" – or "Beracha resembling the three" – refers to the Beracha we recite after eating grain products or one of special fruits, or after drinking wine. This Beracha is a brief summary of the themes discussed in the four Berachot of Birkat Ha'mazon. Since only three of those Berachot are required on the level of Torah obligation, we refer to this Beracha as "Beracha Me'en Shalosh."
