Birchat Asher Yatzar: Difference between revisions
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After relieving oneself, one is obligated to say the [[brachot|bracha]] of Asher Yatzar. Chazal instituted that one should recite [[Asher Yatzar]] after relieving oneself. The bracha was instituted for a person to give praise to Hashem for creating man with great wisdom. <Ref>Gemara Berachot 60b, S”A 7:1, Ben Ish Chai Vayetseh #15</ref> | After relieving oneself, one is obligated to say the [[brachot|bracha]] of Asher Yatzar. Chazal instituted that one should recite [[Asher Yatzar]] after relieving oneself. The bracha was instituted for a person to give praise to Hashem for creating man with great wisdom. <Ref>Gemara Berachot 60b, S”A 7:1, Ben Ish Chai Vayetseh #15</ref> | ||
==Obligation== | ==Obligation== | ||
# Any time one goes to the bathroom (urinating or moving one's bowels) one is obligated to say the bracha of [[Asher Yatzar]].<ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 7:1 based on a statement of Abaye in [[Brachot]] 60b he writes that anytime one goes to the bathroom one is obligated to say [[Asher Yatzar]]. </ref>[[Asher Yatzar]] is said every time that one releases excrement, even if it was a minute amount.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 7:4, Aruch HaShulchan 7:5, Teshuvot Harosh 4:1 </ref> This applies to both solid and liquid waste.<ref> Aruch Hashulchan 7:1, Shulchan Aruch 7:4 </ref> | # Any time one goes to the bathroom (urinating or moving one's bowels) one is obligated to say the bracha of [[Asher Yatzar]].<ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 7:1 based on a statement of Abaye in [[Brachot]] 60b he writes that anytime one goes to the bathroom one is obligated to say [[Asher Yatzar]]. </ref>[[Asher Yatzar]] is said every time that one releases excrement, even if it was a minute amount.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 7:4, Aruch HaShulchan 7:5, Teshuvot Harosh 4:1 </ref> This applies to both solid and liquid waste.<ref> Aruch Hashulchan 7:1, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 7:4 </ref> | ||
# Even if he only went to check if he needed to relieve himself and then ended up going, such as before davening, one recites the bracha of Asher Yatzar.<ref> Rosh (responsa 4:1) writes that even someone checking himself before a meal or davening if he needs to relieve himself, if he ends up going even a very small amount should recite Asher Yatzar. Bet Yosef OC 7:4 cites this Rosh. However, Rav Yair Bachrach in Makor Chaim 2:6 argues that since he didn't feel a need to relieve himself, he shouldn't recite a bracha of Ashar Yatzar. Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 7:2 disagrees with the Makor Chaim in favor of the Rosh. Piskei Teshuvot siman 7 fnt. 18 brings a proof that we don't follow the Mekor Chaim from the Minchat Yitzchak 6:38:3 who holds that Ashar Yatzar is recited even for incontinent urination. Nishmat Avraham siman 7 fnt. 9 quotes a letter from Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach where he questions the Mekor Chaim. </ref> | # Even if he only went to check if he needed to relieve himself and then ended up going, such as before davening, one recites the bracha of Asher Yatzar.<ref> Rosh (responsa 4:1) writes that even someone checking himself before a meal or davening if he needs to relieve himself, if he ends up going even a very small amount should recite Asher Yatzar. Bet Yosef OC 7:4 cites this Rosh. However, Rav Yair Bachrach in Makor Chaim 2:6 argues that since he didn't feel a need to relieve himself, he shouldn't recite a bracha of Ashar Yatzar. Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 7:2 disagrees with the Makor Chaim in favor of the Rosh. Rav Asher Weiss (teshuva printed in Kuntres Mafli Lasot p. 37) also disagrees with the Makor Chaim. Piskei Teshuvot siman 7 fnt. 18 brings a proof that we don't follow the Mekor Chaim from the Minchat Yitzchak 6:38:3 who holds that Ashar Yatzar is recited even for incontinent urination. Nishmat Avraham siman 7 fnt. 9 quotes a letter from Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach where he questions the Mekor Chaim.</ref> | ||
# If no water is available to wash one's hands after relieving oneself, one should wipe one's hands on a piece of cloth or rub them against a hard surface such as a wall, and then recite [[Asher Yatzar]]. Later, when water becomes available, one should wash one's hands, but not repeat [[Asher Yatzar]]. <Ref>Birkei Yosef 7:3, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 4:22</Ref> | # If no water is available to wash one's hands after relieving oneself, one should wipe one's hands on a piece of cloth or rub them against a hard surface such as a wall, and then recite [[Asher Yatzar]]. Later, when water becomes available, one should wash one's hands, but not repeat [[Asher Yatzar]]. <Ref>Birkei Yosef 7:3, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 4:22</Ref> | ||
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==If one Didn't Recite it Immediately== | ==If one Didn't Recite it Immediately== | ||
# One should say [[Asher Yatzar]] immediately after using the bathroom.<ref> Mishna Brurah 7:6 writes that one should be careful to recite Netilat Yadayim immediately after coming out of the bathroom so that one doesn't need to go again before one says Asher Yatzar and be caught in a dispute if one should recite one or two brachot. See Mishna Brurah 165:2 that one shouldn't delay Asher Yatzar to say it after Netilat Yadayim if one went to the bathroom and then is having a meal since one was already obligated to make Asher Yatzar before Netilat Yadayim. See Birur Halacha v. 2 siman 7 p. 43 who quotes Shaar Shlomo Zarafia that one can only recite Asher Yatzar up to toch kdei dibbur and many who disagree with him.</ref> | # One should say [[Asher Yatzar]] immediately after using the bathroom.<ref> Mishna Brurah 7:6 writes that one should be careful to recite Netilat Yadayim immediately after coming out of the bathroom so that one doesn't need to go again before one says Asher Yatzar and be caught in a dispute if one should recite one or two brachot. See Mishna Brurah 165:2 that one shouldn't delay Asher Yatzar to say it after Netilat Yadayim if one went to the bathroom and then is having a meal since one was already obligated to make Asher Yatzar before Netilat Yadayim. See Birur Halacha v. 2 siman 7 p. 43 who quotes Shaar Shlomo Zarafia that one can only recite Asher Yatzar up to toch kdei dibbur and many who disagree with him.</ref> | ||
# If one did not say it immediately, many Sephardic authorities hold that one can still say it for 72 minutes after going to the bathroom.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3 and Halacha Brurah 7:5 write that one has up to 72 minutes after having used the bathroom, as long as one doesn't need it again. Similarly, Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:5 says that if you only remembered after 72 minutes, one should say the bracha without Shem U'Malchut. On the other hand, Sh"t Be'er Moshe (2:10 2; 4:4 1) writes that one could say the bracha even up to an hour or two after using the restroom, as long as one does not have the urge to once again use the restroom. </ref> Yet, other authorities say that one should not say it if 30 minutes past after going to the bathroom.<ref>Ben Ish Chai (Vayetze #12) writes that one should not say [[Asher Yatzar]] 30 minutes after having gone to the bathroom. This is also the opinion of Kaf Hachayim 7:8 and Rav Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Or LeTzion 2:1:19), but Rav Ovadia (Yabia Omer 9:OC:108:17) argues that had Rav Ben Tzion seen the Ritva in Pesachim, he would have agreed. Rivevot Efraim 8:2 writes that he originally ruled like Rav Ovadyah wrote in Yachave Daat (see previous note) that one may say it up until 72 minutes, however, after seeing many others who argued he said that one should be concerned for the opinion that says that one should not say it past 30 minutes after going to the bathroom. See also Rav Ovadyah in Yabia Omer 9:3 in his response to the author of the Revivot Efraim on this issue. See also [http://www.torahmusings.com/2011/01/the-deadline/ Asher Yatzar... The Deadline] by Rabbi Ari Enkin. | |||
* Ritva Pesachim 46a s.v. viy writes that the expiration of Asher Yatzar is the amount of time it takes to walk 4 mil. He explains that even if a person goes to the bathroom in the morning he can say it in shul even though some time elapsed. | * Ritva Pesachim 46a s.v. viy writes that the expiration of Asher Yatzar is the amount of time it takes to walk 4 mil. He explains that even if a person goes to the bathroom in the morning he can say it in shul even though some time elapsed. | ||
* Maharach Or Zaruah responsa n. 101 writes that the expiration of brachot achronot are connected to the time it takes to digest food since the bracha is connected to the enjoyment of having eaten food. However, Asher Yatzer isn't for that purpose. He doesn't know exact amount of time Asher Yatzar expires but it is certainly less than four hours.</ref> | * Maharach Or Zaruah responsa n. 101 writes that the expiration of brachot achronot are connected to the time it takes to digest food since the bracha is connected to the enjoyment of having eaten food. However, Asher Yatzer isn't for that purpose. He doesn't know exact amount of time Asher Yatzar expires but it is certainly less than four hours.</ref> However, many Ashkenazim poskim hold that there is no expiration for Asher Yatzar until he needs to go again.<ref>Pri Megadim E"A 7:1, Nesivos quoted by Pitchei Teshuva YD 341:5, Mishna Brurah 7:1. Yalkut Yosef (siman 6 fnt s.v. "Teshuva Al Divrei Hacholkim") proves that Levush 4:1 holds this way as well. He also quotes that this is the view of Birkat Hashem v. 4 p. 485. </ref> | ||
# If one used the bathroom and forgot to say [[Asher Yatzar]] and then used the bathroom again, only one bracha should be recited to cover both uses.<ref> Shulchan Aruch 7:3 says that [[Asher Yatzar]] should be recited twice. However, Mishna Brurah 7:6 writes that most acharonim disagree and say that only one beracha should be recited. This is the opinion of the Bach Siman 7, Taz 7:2, Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 4:6, Kaf Hachayim 7:5, Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 7:10, and Aruch HaShulchan 7:4. </ref> Additionally, the Aruch HaShulchan says that if one went to the bathroom but forgot to say [[Asher Yatzar]] and subsequently needed to relieve oneself again, one should first relieve oneself and then say one bracha of [[Asher Yatzar]].<ref> Aruch HaShulchan 7:4. </ref> | # If one used the bathroom and forgot to say [[Asher Yatzar]] and then used the bathroom again, only one bracha should be recited to cover both uses.<ref> Shulchan Aruch 7:3 says that [[Asher Yatzar]] should be recited twice. However, Mishna Brurah 7:6 writes that most acharonim disagree and say that only one beracha should be recited. This is the opinion of the Bach Siman 7, Taz 7:2, Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 4:6, Kaf Hachayim 7:5, Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 7:10, and Aruch HaShulchan 7:4. </ref> Additionally, the Aruch HaShulchan says that if one went to the bathroom but forgot to say [[Asher Yatzar]] and subsequently needed to relieve oneself again, one should first relieve oneself and then say one bracha of [[Asher Yatzar]].<ref> Aruch HaShulchan 7:4. </ref> | ||
# If a person is unsure whether he recited [[Asher Yatzar]] or not, he should '''not''' recite it. One may however, think the beracha in his head without reciting the words.<ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 209:3, Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 7:13, Birkei Yosef 7:3 </ref> | # If a person is unsure whether he recited [[Asher Yatzar]] or not, he should '''not''' recite it. One may however, think the beracha in his head without reciting the words.<ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 209:3, Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 7:13, Birkei Yosef 7:3 </ref> | ||
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==Text== | ==Text== | ||
# While | # While Sephardim recite the yisatem before yipate'ach,<ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 6:1, Kaf Hachaim 6:1 </ref> Ashkenazim reverse that order and recite yipate'ach before yisatem.<ref> Mishna Brura 6:2 </ref> | ||
# Although some authorities conclude the beracha rofeh '''cholei''' kol basar umafli laasot, this is not the common practice. Rather we conclude rofeh chol basar umafli laasot<ref> Mishna Brura 6:5, Kaf Hachaim 6:1 </ref> | # Although some authorities conclude the beracha rofeh '''cholei''' kol basar umafli laasot, this is not the common practice. Rather we conclude rofeh chol basar umafli laasot<ref> Mishna Brura 6:5, Kaf Hachaim 6:1 </ref> | ||
==How It Should Be Recited== | |||
# It is ideal to recite aloud<ref>Mishna Brurah 643:5 quotes the Shlah who writes that a person should always try to say brachot aloud because it inspires kavana. Kuntres Mafli Lasot p. 10 quotes this with respect to Asher Yatzar. </ref> and while in one place not doing anything else like drying one's hands.<ref>[https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=41237&st=&pgnum=25 Od Yosef Chai (Vayetzei n. 2)] writes that that a person who recites Asher Yatzar while doing other things or walking from place to place is considered as having done the mitzvot in a happenstance way inappropriately. He warns that we should be extra careful about this since many people make this mistake often. </ref> | |||
# If a person thought the bracha in his mind and didn't enunciate the words with his lips even inaudibly, it is questionable if he fulfilled his obligation. However, he should not recite it again.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 7:14 based on Yabia Omer 4:3:17</ref> | |||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
