DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 4.63 MB)
The Beracha of “She’ha’kol”

The Aruch Ha’shulhan (Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein of Nevarduk, 1829-1908) observes an intriguing difference between the Beracha of "She’ha’kol" and most of the other Berachot we recite before eating. Other Berachot use the verb "Bara" ("create") – "Boreh Peri Ha’adama," "Boreh Peri Ha’etz," "Boreh Mineh Mezonot." In the Beracha of "She’ha’kol," however, we use the verb "Niheya," which means "made," as opposed to "create."

To explain this difference, the Aruch Ha’shulhan writes that the verb "Bara" refers to a new creation, and we therefore use it in Berachot over food items that are produced anew each year – fruits, vegetables, grains, and so on. The Beracha of "She’ha’kol," by contrast, is recited over things like meat and fish, which come from animals – creatures that are not recreated anew. Therefore, the more appropriate verb is "Niheya," as opposed to "Bara."

There are different texts of the Beracha of "She’ha’kol," as some Ashkenazim recite, "She’ha’kol Niheyeh Bi’dbaro." The custom among Sepharadim, however, is to recite, "Niheya," not "Niheyeh," and everybody should follow his or her community’s custom.

Summary: In the text of the Beracha of "She’ha’kol," there are those who recite, "She’ha’kol Niheyeh Bi’dbaro," but Sephardic custom is to pronounce the word as "Niheya," and not "Niheyeh."

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Purim- Is A Megilah Considered Kasher If It Has Nekudot, Taamim, Pictures, or If It Contains The Berachot
Are Ladies Obligated In Hearing Parashat Zachor
Purim- Meat and Bread at the Seuda
When Should The Bar Mitzva Be If Either; There Are 2 Months of Adar That Year, Or If Born In A Year With 2 Months Of Adar
Purim- If One Forgot Al Hanisim in the Amidah or Birkat Hamazon
Purim- Can You Put 2 Mishloach Manot Into One Basket
Purim- Is It Permissible To Work Or Get Hair Cuts On Purim
Purim- Is the Individual Mitzvah Fulfilled If A Mishloach Manot Is Collectively Given By A Group
Purim- What Constitutes The Required 2 Mishloach Manot
Purim- Seudat Purim When Purim Falls Out On A Friday
Purim Day Message 5764 (2004)
Purim- Is The Megilah Considered Muktze On Shabbat
Purim- Writing - Handling - Reading - and Hearing The Megilah
Putting on Tefilin and Tallit at Home before Going to Bet Knesset
The Proper Kavana When Donning Tefilin
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found