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...
Chanukah- The Proper Position When Lighting Chanukah Candles in the Synagogue
Chanukah- The Procedure for Torah Reading When Rosh Chodesh Tevet Falls on Shabbat
Chanukah- Birkat Roeh- When A Person Knows He Will Be Unable To Light The Menorah
Chanukah- Does One Repeat The Berachot At Home If He Already Lit The Menorah With The Berachot In Shul
Chanukah- A Dignified Menorah
Chanukah- When Your Neighbor Does Not Have Enough Money To Buy Oil To Light The Menorah
Chanukah- Is It Permissible To Rekindle or Light The Menorah After Lighting Shabbat Candles on Erev Shabbat
Chanukah- Is Al Ha’nisim Required In Arbit On The First Day Of Chanukah, Or In Musaf Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh
Chanukah- Hallel for Men and Women On Chanukah
Chanukah- The Proper Time for Lighting Chanukah Candles
Chanukah- The Traveler At Time of Menorah Lighting
Chanukah- Menorah Lighting in Shul
Chanukah- Is It Permissible To Allow A Child to Light Chanukah Candles
Chanukah- 2 Halachot: Eating Dairy Products on Chanukah, and The Proper Procedure of Lighting Before and After Shabbat
Chanukah- Is It Permissible To Answer To Other Berachot During Hallel
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found