We are beginning siman 2. We learned that the appropriate time to make the bracha shehecheyanu is when the item is first acquired. However, if the item is not usable at the time of acquisition, the bracha is made upon its first use. In siman 2, the Chayei Adam writes that in addition to a […]
1196 – Birchos Hodaah – (Klal 62 Siman 2) – Shehecheyanu 4 – New Cloths; Malbish Arumim Read More »
We are beginning siman 2. The Chayei Adam writes that one recites shehecheyanu on building or buying a new house, even if they already own another house. The Mishnah Berurah holds that one only makes a shehecheyanu when they live alone. If they have a wife and/or children, since others receive benefit as well, one
1195 – Birchos Hodaah – (Klal 62 Siman 2) – Shehecheyanu 3 – New House Read More »
We are beginning siman 1. The Chayei Adam writes that one recites the bracha shehecheyanu on good tidings which are relevant only to oneself. If the good tidings are relevant to oneself and to others, one makes the bracha hatov vehameitiv. The Chayei Adam gives an example. If one hears that their wife gave birth
We are beginning Klal 62, which discusses the halachos of birchas shehecheyanu and hatov vehametiv. The Chayei Adam begins with shehecheyanu. The Gemara says that shehecheyanu applies to events which occur mi’zman l’zman, on a cyclical basis. Chazal instituted that, in conjunction with fulfilling the mitzvah, one should recite shehecheyanu to thank Hashem for arriving
We are beginning siman 15. The Chayei Adam discusses mugmar, good-smelling incense burned over coals. Mugmar was used for different purposes. Sometimes it was used for the purpose of creating a good smell, in which case one would make a bracha. Sometimes it was used to impart a good smell into clothing, in which case
1192 – Birchas Hareiach – (Klal 61 Siman 15) – Bracha on Smell 22 – Mugmar (Incense) Read More »
We have finished siman 14, in which the Chayei Adam discussed besamim made from items from which it is assur to derive benefit (assur b’hanaah). The Chayei Adam gives the examples of besamim designated for a specific woman and besamim of avoda zarah. Other examples of besamim which are assur include besamim made from chametz
We are continuing in siman 14. We learned that the Chayei Adam holds that besamim belonging to a specific woman are assur to smell, both when she is wearing them and when she is not, and therefore no bracha is made on them. We learned that many disagree with the Chayei Adam, and hold that
We are beginning siman 13. A container which housed besamim and retains the smell of the besamim after they have been removed does not receive a bracha. This type of smell is considered a reiach she’ein bo ikar, and one is not allowed to make a bracha on it. An example of this halacha is
We are continuing in siman 12. The Chayei Adam wrote that if one remains away from a perfumery for a “long time”, they would need to make a new bracha. We learned about the definition of a “long time”, comparing our case to the case of taking off a tallis, and concluded that one would
We are continuing in siman 12. We learned that if one leaves a perfumery with the intent to return, the leaving is not considered a hefsek, and one does not make a new bracha upon their return. The Magen Avraham gave two explanations as to the difference between the halachos of shinui makom regarding food
We are beginning siman 12. The Chayei Adam continues discussing the halachos of a perfumery; specifically, how often the bracha is made. If one leaves the store with the intent to return, the leaving is not considered a hefsek, and one does not make a new bracha upon their return. If one leaves and effects
We are continuing in siman 10. The Chayei Adam now discusses the halacha of one who walks into a perfume store. The primary function of the items in the store are as merchandise, not for smell, so we would have thought that one does not make a bracha on them, as we learned yesterday (shiur
1185 – Birchas Hareiach – (Klal 61 Siman 10-11) – Bracha on Smell 15 – Perfumery Read More »
We are continuing in siman 10. The Chayei Adam discusses the possibility of making a bracha on the smell of fresh bread. If one does not pick up the bread, but the smell wafts to them, one does not make a bracha, because at that moment the primary function of the bread can be assumed
1184 – Birchas Hareiach – (Klal 61 Siman 10) – Bracha on Smell 14 – Bread Read More »
We are beginning siman 10. The Chayei Adam returns to the rule he stated previously that birchos hareiach are only recited on an item whose function, or primary function, is for smelling. The bracha of hanosein reiach tov bapeiros would appear to contradict this rule, as a fruit is assumed to function primarily for eating,
1183 – Birchas Hareiach – (Klal 61 Siman 10) – Bracha on Smell 13 – Esrog Read More »
We are beginning siman 9. The Chayei Adam writes that if one recites borei isvei besamim on an item which requires the bracha borei atzei besamim, or vice versa, they are not yotzei, and one must recite the correct bracha. This halacha contrasts the halachos of haeitz and haadama. We have learned that if one
We are beginning siman 8. The Chayei Adam discusses the halachos of kedima, proper order, for brachos on smell. In the same way that we have an order regarding food items (hamotzi precedes mezonos, etc.), there is an order regarding smells as well. We have learned that the reason for the precedence regarding food is
We are continuing in siman 7. We will review the halachos we have learned thus far, and discuss some practical applications. The Chayei Adam wrote that if a liquid has an intrinsic smell, such as tzari sap, one makes the bracha of borei shemen areiv. Olives or other fruits which are crushed to produce a
We are beginning siman 7. The Chayei Adam will discuss the brachos on liquids. The Chayei Adam does not discuss the bracha of borei shemen areiv, a bracha which the Shulchan Aruch holds is made on tzari oil. There is debate regarding the exact definition of tzari oil, but most poskim hold it refers to
1179 – Birchas Hareiach – (Klal 61 Siman 7) – Bracha on Smell 9 – Oils and Water 1 Read More »
The poskim write that the minhag for Ashkenazim is to always make the bracha borei minei besamim at havdalah, regardless of the type of smell used. Although one is generally obligated to recite the most specific bracha possible (similar to shehakol versus other brachos regarding foods), since havdalah is done by all, including those who
We are continuing in siman 6. When we learned the brachos of haeitz and haadama on foods, we learned that there are a few criteria to determine when an item becomes haeitz. All poskim agree that a part of the tree must last from year to year to be haeitz. There is a machlokes rishonim
