DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 666 KB)
Shinui Makom – If a Person Moves From Room to Room

There is a debate among the Halachic authorities concerning the case of a person who is eating a food requiring "Boreh Nefashot" (such as a beverage, fruits, etc.) and in the middle of his meal moves from one room to another within the same house. The Shulhan Aruch rules that if the person cannot see his original location, and he did not intend to leave his original location when he began eating, then when he resumes eating he must recite a new Beracha. According to the Shulhan Aruch, moving from one room to another, from where one cannot see the first room, is no different from leaving the house, and thus if one moved to a different room while eating a "Boreh Nefashot" food, he must recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating. This is also the view of the Magen Abraham (Rabbi Abraham Gombiner, Poland, 1635-1682).

Other Halachic authorities, however, dispute this ruling, as cited and discussed by the Hafetz Haim (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933), in his Bi’ur Halacha. He notes that many Poskim do not consider changing rooms equivalent to leaving the home, including a number of Rishonim (Medieval Halachic scholars), such as Rabbenu Hananel and the Rif. The Bi’ur Halacha further observes that the situation in modern times makes it very difficult to follow the view of the Magan Abraham, requiring the recitation of a new Beracha every time one leaves the room.

In light of this debate, it is preferable when one recites a Beracha over such a food to have clear intent that he may leave the room at some point while eating, so that according to all views he would not have to recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating. If, however, one did not have this intention when he began eating, and he leaves the room while eating, he does not then have to recite a new Beracha, as we apply the rule of "Sefak Berachot Le’hakel" (we do not recite a Beracha in situations of Halachic uncertainty). This is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Halichot Olam (vol. 2, p. 39).

Summary: It is preferable when one recites the Beracha before eating a food requiring "Boreh Nefashot" (such as drinks or fruits) to have in mind that he might leave his room and go to a different room while eating. But even if one did not have this intention, and he changes locations or leaves temporarily while eating, he does not recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
What is the Proper Procedure For Making Up a Missed Reading of Shenayim Mikra Ve’ehad Targum?
How Should One Respond After Dreaming That He Committed a Sin?
The Obligation to Visit and Keep in Touch With One’s Parents
Hashkaba for an Infant; Which Name to Use When Reciting the Hashkaba Prayer
The Prohibition of Stealing From a Non-Jew, and Stealing Small Amounts of Money
Alenu – Pausing Before the Words “Va’anahnu Kor’im”
Seniut – Restrictions on Interaction Between Men and Women
Who Bears Liability When a Car Hits the Car In Front That Had Stopped Short?
Must One Stand When an Elderly Person Passes Near Him During Tefila?
The Proper Sequence When Listing the Names of the Matriarchs
Structures and Images That One May Not Make or Keep in the Home
Rosh Hashanah – Covering the Shofar While Reciting the Berachot
Must One Recite Birkat Ha’Torah Before Reading Biblical Verses as Prayer?
The Status of Wine That Was Looked at by an Idolater
The Sin of Mishkav Zachur (Homosexuality)
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found