DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 652 KB)
If One Remembers That He Forgot to Make a Beracha While Drinking

The Rishonim (Early authorities) discuss what to do if one took a sip of a beverage and before swallowing, remembers that he forgot to make a Beracha. They concur that he may not make a Beracha with his mouth full, yet they allow him to swallow the beverage, as spitting it out would ruin it.

The Poskim disagree as to what he should do after he swallows it. According to Rashi and Rabbenu Hannanel, after he swallows it, there is nothing more to do; he has missed the Beracha. On the other hand, the Rosh holds that he can still make a Beracha of Shehakol on the swallowed beverage retroactively. This is a rare case, in which there is an opinion that one can make a Beracha on a food "after the fact."

The Shulhan Aruch rules in accordance with Rashi and Rabbenu Hannanel that one does not make a Beracha after he swallows. The Rema rules in accordance with the Rosh. The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) points out that the accepted practice of Ashkenazim is to follow Maran, and not the Rema.

Hacham Ovadia presents a Chidush (novel approach) as to what to do when the beverage is still in his mouth. He rules one may "think" the Beracha, without verbalizing it. Although, in general, "Hirhur" (thinking) is not tantamount to speaking, in this case there is no choice. Hacham Ovadia goes so far as to say that, based on that Beracha, he is allowed to continue drinking more beverages, without verbally articulating an additional Beracha.

SUMMARY
If one forgot to say a Beracha on a beverage, he cannot verbally recite it, while the liquid is in his mouth. He may "think" the words of the Beracha, and that would not only exempt the liquid in his mouth, but it would also cover any additional beverages he wants to drink.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
If One Forgot to Recite Al Ha’nissim in Birkat Ha’mazon on Purim
Purim- Does One Fulfill the Misva of Mishloah Manot by Giving an Anonymous Package?
Purim – Must One Unroll the Megila Before the Reading?
The Special Torah Reading for Shabbat Shekalim
Is Adar Rishon an Auspicious Month Like Adar Sheni?
Purim- Halachot Concerning the Writing of Megilat Ester
Purim – Should Mishlo’ah Manot be Given Personally or Through a Messenger?
Purim – Sending a Beverage as Mishlo’ah Manot
Purim – May Men Dress Up as Women, or Vice Versa, on Purim?
Purim – May One Eat or Drink Before Hearing the Megila?
Working on Purim
Purim- Laws of Fasting: Rinsing One’s Mouth, Brushing One’s Teeth, Chewing Gum, and Swallowing Pills
The Zachor Reading
Purim – One Who Causes Damage as a Result of the Purim Festivities; Weddings on Purim
The Power of Shema and the Purim Story
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found