DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 1008 KB)
Does the Beracha of HaMotzih Cover Beverages

In general, the Beracha of Hamosi covers all foods eaten in a meal. However, it does not cover wine, which has a special status as "Chashuv" (important), since it is used in many Misvot ceremonies. Therefore, if someone drinks wine during the meal, he must recite a separate Beracha of Hagefen.

The question is whether other beverages, such as water, are covered by the Hamosi. The Shulhan Aruch (Siman 174) brings two opinions on this matter. The first ruling is that other beverages are included, because they are an integral part of the meal, as opposed to wine that has a unique status. The second opinion holds that Hamosi does NOT cover water drunk in the meal. The Halacha is in accordance with the first opinion.

Nevertheless, the Shulhan Aruch recommends to be strict and avoid this situation altogether by reciting the Beracha of Shehakol on the drinks before he washes, so as not to have to decide between the two opinions. One can also recite the Shehakol on a food item, e.g. a candy, as well, and intend to cover the beverages in the meal.

Hacham Ovadia suggests another way to avoid the debacle by drinking wine in the meal. The Hagefen recited on the wine will cover all other beverages.

The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) offers another possibility. During the meal, one can listen to the Shehakol recited by someone else, in order to cover the beverages he wants to drink.

SUMMARY
The Beracha of Hamosi covers all the beverages to be drunk during the meal, except for wine. Nevertheless, it is praiseworthy to avoid a situation in which one relies on the Hamosi as the Beracha on other beverages.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Amira L’Akum: Is It Permissible to Instruct a Non-Jew to Open a Refrigerator on Shabbat?
Amira L’Akum: Benefitting from a Prohibited Action of a Non-Jew
Amira L’Akum-Is it Permitted to Instruct a Non-Jew to Turn On the Lights in Shul?
Amiral L’Akum-May a Jew Benefit from a Melacha Done by a Non-Jew to Correct His Mistake?
Amira L’Akum: May a Jew Benefit When a Non-Jew Activates a Light in a Room with Jews and Non-Jews?
Amira L’Akum-If a Non-Jew Turned On a Light for his Own Benefit
Amira L’Akum: If a Non-Jew Turns on a Light for a Jew
Carrying on Shabbat: Wearing Additional Garments
Carrying on Shabbat: Defining a Garment
Carrying on Shabbat: Eyeglasses
Carrying on Shabbat: Watches
Carrying on Shabbat: Talit, Scarves, Towels and Jackets
Carrying on Shabbat- Bandages, Slings and Hearing Aids
Carrying on Shabbat- Sanitary Napkins, Crutches and Prosthetic Limbs
Carrying on Shabbat: Ornamental Keys, Reserve Buttons, Rain Gear
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found