Having Kavana for Mitzvot: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Kavanah.jpg|frame|150px|Man praying with Kavanah (sincere intent).]] | [[File:Kavanah.jpg|frame|150px|Man praying with Kavanah (sincere intent).]] | ||
Kavanah is a mindset necessary for the performance of many mitzvot. There are two types of Kavanah (intentions) for mitzvot: | Kavanah is a mindset necessary for the performance of many mitzvot. There are two types of Kavanah (intentions) for mitzvot: | ||
# One is the concentration on the mitzvah to the exclusion of anything else and a sincerity of heart about what one is saying. Preferably, one should have this intention, however, after the fact if one didn't one has fulfilled the mitzvah except by the first pasuk of Shema and the first bracha of [[Shmoneh Esrei]] where this intent is absolutely necessary even after the fact. <ref>Mishna Brurah 60:7 </ref> See the details of this in the section [[#Mitzvot that require special Kavana|Mitzvot that require special Kavana]]. | # One is the concentration on the mitzvah to the exclusion of anything else and a sincerity of heart about what one is saying. Preferably, one should have this intention, however, after the fact if one didn't one has fulfilled the mitzvah except by the first pasuk of Shema and the first bracha of [[Shmoneh Esrei]] where this intent is absolutely necessary even after the fact.<ref>Mishna Brurah 60:7 </ref> See the details of this in the section [[#Mitzvot that require special Kavana|Mitzvot that require special Kavana]]. | ||
# The second type of Kavanah is that prior to performing a mitzvah one should think that I am hereby going to fulfill a particular Mitzvah. According to all opinions, it's preferable to have this intent, however, according to the accepted opinion this intent is necessary even after the fact (in most cases). <ref>This distinction is clarified by the Tosfot (Brachot 12a s.v. lo), Ohel Moed (Kriyat Shema 2:4), and Mishna Brurah 60:7. </ref>The details of this second Kavanah are discussed below. | # The second type of Kavanah is that prior to performing a mitzvah one should think that I am hereby going to fulfill a particular Mitzvah. According to all opinions, it's preferable to have this intent, however, according to the accepted opinion this intent is necessary even after the fact (in most cases).<ref>This distinction is clarified by the Tosfot (Brachot 12a s.v. lo), Ohel Moed (Kriyat Shema 2:4), and Mishna Brurah 60:7. </ref>The details of this second Kavanah are discussed below. | ||
==The Basic Obligation== | ==The Basic Obligation== | ||
# Even though many Rishonim hold that Mitzvot don’t need Kavana (intent) to fulfill a mitzvah <ref> Rabbenu Chananel (Brachot 13a), Ravyah (Brachot 1:45), Or Zaruh (Shema 31), Rashbetz in name of Rav Shrira Goan and other Geonim, Rav Yitzchak Even Giyat in Meah Sharim (1 pg 36) in name of Rav Hai Goan, Rashbam (quoted by Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah 6a), Bal HaMoar (3rd Perek of [[Rosh Hashana]]), Itur (Shofar 2:1 pg 59b), Sefer Eshkol 3:6 pg 12, Sefer Hashlama (Brachot 13a), Sefer Meorot (Brachot 13a), Raah (Brachot 13a), Rashba (Brachot 13a; Shu”t Rashba 1:344), Ritva ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b), and Meiri Brachot 13a-b, Sefer HaShulchan (Shema 2), Radvaz (4:1094 against what he writes in 6:2246), and Maharal (Gevuros HaShem chapter 52) hold that Mitzvot don’t need Kavana to fulfill the mitzvah. Bal HaMoar, Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah, and Tur writes that even these opinions will hold that Lechatchila one should have Kavana. </ref>, meaning as long as one has Kavana to do the action of the Mitzvah and not to do it by accident one fulfilled one's obligation, nonetheless, <Ref> [[Rosh Hashana]] 32b and 33b say that a Metasek someone just involved in some action and by accident the mitzvah happens one doesn’t fulfill the obligation (even according to the opinions that hold Mitzvot don’t need Kavana). Shulchan Aruch 589:10 codifies this as halacha. </ref> the Halacha follows the other Rishonim who hold that Mitzvot need Kavana to fulfill the Mitzvah. <Ref> Bahag (Brachot 2, 7) holds Mitzvot need Kavana. Rif ([[Rosh Hashana]] 7b) seems to agree as he rules like Rabbi Zeira that Shofar needs Kavana. Ravyah 2:533, Ramban (Milchamot [[Rosh Hashana]] 7b), Rosh ([[Rosh Hashana]] 3:11), Rabbenu Yerucham 6:2, Ran (Halachot [[Rosh Hashana]] 28b), and Meiri ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b) explain the Rif in this way. Rashba ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b), and Orchot Chaim (Shofar 8) explains Rif that one doesn’t need Kavana for Mitzvah just Kavana to listen to the Shofar. Tur 589 and Bet Yosef 589 understand the Rosh that Mitzvot need Kavana (See Sh”t Mishpat Tzedek 2:62 who explains that the Rosh holds only by Deoritta’s one needs Kavana). Rambam (Shofar 2:4) rules one needs Kavana but by [[Matzah]] 6:3 he rules one doesn’t need kavana. Ravad (Pesachim 10th Perek), Meiri and Ran ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b) answer that [[Matzah]] doesn’t need Kavana because one gets benefit; thus, Rambam holds Mitzvot need Kavana. Shulchan Aruch 60:6 and 589:8 rules that the halacha is Mitzvot need Kavana. </ref> If one has Kavana not to fulfill one’s obligation according to all opinions one doesn’t fulfill his obligation. <Ref> Rabbenu Yonah (Brachot 6a s.v. verabbenu shmuel) cites the Rashbam who holds that if one has intent not to fulfill an obligation then according to all opinions one doesn't fulfill one's obligation. The Ohel Moed (Kriyat Shema 2:4) quotes Tosfot and Rashba as holding that if you have negative kavana you don't fulfill your obligation but the Raah held that you do. Bet Yosef 589 and S”A 6:4 rules that if one has Kavana not to be Yotzei one doesn’t fulfill the obligation against one’s will based on many Rishonim unlike the Raah. See Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 3:9 </ref> | # Even though many Rishonim hold that Mitzvot don’t need Kavana (intent) to fulfill a mitzvah <ref> Rabbenu Chananel (Brachot 13a), Ravyah (Brachot 1:45), Or Zaruh (Shema 31), Rashbetz in name of Rav Shrira Goan and other Geonim, Rav Yitzchak Even Giyat in Meah Sharim (1 pg 36) in name of Rav Hai Goan, Rashbam (quoted by Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah 6a), Bal HaMoar (3rd Perek of [[Rosh Hashana]]), Itur (Shofar 2:1 pg 59b), Sefer Eshkol 3:6 pg 12, Sefer Hashlama (Brachot 13a), Sefer Meorot (Brachot 13a), Raah (Brachot 13a), Rashba (Brachot 13a; Shu”t Rashba 1:344), Ritva ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b), and Meiri Brachot 13a-b, Sefer HaShulchan (Shema 2), Radvaz (4:1094 against what he writes in 6:2246), and Maharal (Gevuros HaShem chapter 52) hold that Mitzvot don’t need Kavana to fulfill the mitzvah. Bal HaMoar, Talmedei Rabbenu Yonah, and Tur writes that even these opinions will hold that Lechatchila one should have Kavana. </ref>, meaning as long as one has Kavana to do the action of the Mitzvah and not to do it by accident one fulfilled one's obligation, nonetheless, <Ref> [[Rosh Hashana]] 32b and 33b say that a Metasek someone just involved in some action and by accident the mitzvah happens one doesn’t fulfill the obligation (even according to the opinions that hold Mitzvot don’t need Kavana). Shulchan Aruch 589:10 codifies this as halacha. </ref> the Halacha follows the other Rishonim who hold that Mitzvot need Kavana to fulfill the Mitzvah. <Ref> Bahag (Brachot 2, 7) holds Mitzvot need Kavana. Rif ([[Rosh Hashana]] 7b) seems to agree as he rules like Rabbi Zeira that Shofar needs Kavana. Ravyah 2:533, Ramban (Milchamot [[Rosh Hashana]] 7b), Rosh ([[Rosh Hashana]] 3:11), Rabbenu Yerucham 6:2, Ran (Halachot [[Rosh Hashana]] 28b), and Meiri ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b) explain the Rif in this way. Rashba ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b), and Orchot Chaim (Shofar 8) explains Rif that one doesn’t need Kavana for Mitzvah just Kavana to listen to the Shofar. Tur 589 and Bet Yosef 589 understand the Rosh that Mitzvot need Kavana (See Sh”t Mishpat Tzedek 2:62 who explains that the Rosh holds only by Deoritta’s one needs Kavana). Rambam (Shofar 2:4) rules one needs Kavana but by [[Matzah]] 6:3 he rules one doesn’t need kavana. Ravad (Pesachim 10th Perek), Meiri and Ran ([[Rosh Hashana]] 28b) answer that [[Matzah]] doesn’t need Kavana because one gets benefit; thus, Rambam holds Mitzvot need Kavana. Shulchan Aruch 60:6 and 589:8 rules that the halacha is Mitzvot need Kavana. </ref> If one has Kavana not to fulfill one’s obligation according to all opinions one doesn’t fulfill his obligation. <Ref> Rabbenu Yonah (Brachot 6a s.v. verabbenu shmuel) cites the Rashbam who holds that if one has intent not to fulfill an obligation then according to all opinions one doesn't fulfill one's obligation. The Ohel Moed (Kriyat Shema 2:4) quotes Tosfot and Rashba as holding that if you have negative kavana you don't fulfill your obligation but the Raah held that you do. Bet Yosef 589 and S”A 6:4 rules that if one has Kavana not to be Yotzei one doesn’t fulfill the obligation against one’s will based on many Rishonim unlike the Raah. See Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 3:9 </ref> | ||
# Some Achronim hold according to the opinion that one must have Kavana, the obligation is Derabanan <Ref> Sh”t Kol Eliyahu O”C 1:34, Cheker Halacha 2 pg 32d, Pat Yam 89b, Sh”t Binyan Olam O”C 18, Sh”t Yad Elazar 29, Sh”t Tov Tam VeDaat (3rd edition 127 D”H VeHeneh), and Sh”t Shenot Chaim (Stam 48 pg 60d) hold that the Kavana is only Derabanan. </ref> but most hold it’s Deoritta. <ref>Sh”t Shemesh Tzedaka Oo”C 29 pg 36d in name of Tosfot ([[Rosh Hashana]] D”H Amar Rava), Pri Chadash 475:4. Mahari Najer in Moedei Hashem 58a in name of Turei Even([[Rosh Hashana]] 29a) and Rashbam (Pesachim 114b). Shulchan Aruch HaRav 60:5, Yeshuot Yacov 60 pg 38b. Erech HaShulchan Y”D 120:16 in name of Hagahot Asherei ([[Rosh Hashana]] 3) and Ramban (Milchamot [[Rosh Hashana]] 3). Sh”t Yehuda Yaleh Asad O”C 172-3, Sh”t Tzvi Tiferet 48 and Mishna Brurah (Beiur Halacha 60 s.v. VeYesh Omrim) imply this from the Rashbam. Sh”t Imrei Binah O”C 14, Sh”t She’ilat Shmuel 8, Sh”t Bet Yitzchak Y”D 2:168(9), Sedei Chemed (Mem 61) all hold having Kavana is Deoritta. See further, Sh”t Yecheve Daat 6:29 in the note and Sh”t Chazon Ovadyah (vol 2 29 pg 557)</ref> | # Some Achronim hold according to the opinion that one must have Kavana, the obligation is Derabanan <Ref> Sh”t Kol Eliyahu O”C 1:34, Cheker Halacha 2 pg 32d, Pat Yam 89b, Sh”t Binyan Olam O”C 18, Sh”t Yad Elazar 29, Sh”t Tov Tam VeDaat (3rd edition 127 D”H VeHeneh), and Sh”t Shenot Chaim (Stam 48 pg 60d) hold that the Kavana is only Derabanan. </ref> but most hold it’s Deoritta.<ref>Sh”t Shemesh Tzedaka Oo”C 29 pg 36d in name of Tosfot ([[Rosh Hashana]] D”H Amar Rava), Pri Chadash 475:4. Mahari Najer in Moedei Hashem 58a in name of Turei Even([[Rosh Hashana]] 29a) and Rashbam (Pesachim 114b). Shulchan Aruch HaRav 60:5, Yeshuot Yacov 60 pg 38b. Erech HaShulchan Y”D 120:16 in name of Hagahot Asherei ([[Rosh Hashana]] 3) and Ramban (Milchamot [[Rosh Hashana]] 3). Sh”t Yehuda Yaleh Asad O”C 172-3, Sh”t Tzvi Tiferet 48 and Mishna Brurah (Beiur Halacha 60 s.v. VeYesh Omrim) imply this from the Rashbam. Sh”t Imrei Binah O”C 14, Sh”t She’ilat Shmuel 8, Sh”t Bet Yitzchak Y”D 2:168(9), Sedei Chemed (Mem 61) all hold having Kavana is Deoritta. See further, Sh”t Yecheve Daat 6:29 in the note and Sh”t Chazon Ovadyah (vol 2 29 pg 557)</ref> | ||
==After the fact== | ==After the fact== | ||
# If one is unsure whether one had Kavana on a mitzvah Deoritta, Ashkenazim hold one must repeat the Mitzvah without a Bracha. Sephardim hold one fulfilled his Mitzvah but should be strict to repeat it. <Ref> There is also a dispute whether S”A ruled like the Rishonim who hold Kavana is necessary out of doubt or with certainty he ruled that the halacha is such. Pri Megadim (Introduction to Brachot HaShachar s.v. Od Ra’eti), Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 60:3, and Olot Tamid (quoted by Eliyah Rabba 213) hold S”A ruled out of doubt and Eliyah Rabba 213, Gra 60:9, and Mishna Brurah (Beiur Halacha s.v. VeChen Halacha) hold S”A rule with certainty. Thus according to Pri Megadim and Olot Tamid that S”A was uncertain then in our case that one is unsure if he had Kavana there is a Safek Safeka not to have to repeat the mitzvah. There is two doubts about the Deoritta law (Doubt whether halacha is like the opinions that one needs Kavana, and Safek whether one had Kavana) and a third doubt that Kavana may be only a derabanan obligation (Safek whether Kavana is Deoritta or Derabbanan). However according to Eliyah Rabba, Gra, and Mishna Brurah one can’t make a Safek Safeka according to S”A. Pri Megadim A”A 589:5 in name of Magen Avraham 589:5 says that if one is unsure whether one had Kavana one must repeat and we don’t say a Safek Safeka. Mishna Brurah 60:8 rules like Pri Megadim that one needs to repeat in a case when one is unsure whether one had Kavana. However, Sh”t Chazon Ovadyah 1:29 pg 561 and Halacha Brurah (60:12) rule that because of there are many Rishonim who hold one doesn’t need kavana and even if S”A with certainty ruled Kavana is needed one can still make a Safek Safeka (Safek whether Kavana is only Derabanan and Safek whether one had case in our case) one can be lenient not to repeat the mitzvah with Kavana. However it’s preferable to repeat it with Kavana without a bracha both according to Mishna Brurah (60:8) and Halacha Brurah (20:12) as there’s a [[Safek Brachot LeHakel]] even against S”A and so there’s a doubt that one fulfilled his mitzvah when one did it without Kavana like the opinions that one doesn’t need Kavana. </ref> | # If one is unsure whether one had Kavana on a mitzvah Deoritta, Ashkenazim hold one must repeat the Mitzvah without a Bracha. Sephardim hold one fulfilled his Mitzvah but should be strict to repeat it. <Ref> There is also a dispute whether S”A ruled like the Rishonim who hold Kavana is necessary out of doubt or with certainty he ruled that the halacha is such. Pri Megadim (Introduction to Brachot HaShachar s.v. Od Ra’eti), Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 60:3, and Olot Tamid (quoted by Eliyah Rabba 213) hold S”A ruled out of doubt and Eliyah Rabba 213, Gra 60:9, and Mishna Brurah (Beiur Halacha s.v. VeChen Halacha) hold S”A rule with certainty. Thus according to Pri Megadim and Olot Tamid that S”A was uncertain then in our case that one is unsure if he had Kavana there is a Safek Safeka not to have to repeat the mitzvah. There is two doubts about the Deoritta law (Doubt whether halacha is like the opinions that one needs Kavana, and Safek whether one had Kavana) and a third doubt that Kavana may be only a derabanan obligation (Safek whether Kavana is Deoritta or Derabbanan). However according to Eliyah Rabba, Gra, and Mishna Brurah one can’t make a Safek Safeka according to S”A. Pri Megadim A”A 589:5 in name of Magen Avraham 589:5 says that if one is unsure whether one had Kavana one must repeat and we don’t say a Safek Safeka. Mishna Brurah 60:8 rules like Pri Megadim that one needs to repeat in a case when one is unsure whether one had Kavana. However, Sh”t Chazon Ovadyah 1:29 pg 561 and Halacha Brurah (60:12) rule that because of there are many Rishonim who hold one doesn’t need kavana and even if S”A with certainty ruled Kavana is needed one can still make a Safek Safeka (Safek whether Kavana is only Derabanan and Safek whether one had case in our case) one can be lenient not to repeat the mitzvah with Kavana. However it’s preferable to repeat it with Kavana without a bracha both according to Mishna Brurah (60:8) and Halacha Brurah (20:12) as there’s a [[Safek Brachot LeHakel]] even against S”A and so there’s a doubt that one fulfilled his mitzvah when one did it without Kavana like the opinions that one doesn’t need Kavana. </ref> | ||
# If one did a mitzvah without Kavana to fulfill the mitzvah one should repeat it without a bracha. <ref> Magen Avraham 489:8 writes that one needs specific intent to fulfill one’s obligation, but if one did the mitzvah Stam (no Kavana to be Yotze or not) one should repeat it without a Bracha since there’s Rishonim who hold Mitzvot need Kavana. Shaarei Knesset Gedola 489:1, Chok Yacov 489, Gra 489, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 489:14, and Mishna Brurah (60:8,10, Beiur Halacha s.v. Vechen Halacha) concur. However, Taz 489:8 holds that there’s no distinction between the mitzvah and the bracha and any time there’s a need to repeat the mitzvah one can make a Bracha. Nonetheless, Sh”t Nachfa Bekesef O”C 8, Chok Yacov 589:15, Mamer Mordechai 489:6 reject the Taz.] S”A 213:3 says that unless the one hearing the bracha and the one making the bracha have Kavana one doesn’t fulfill his obligation, implying that if one didn’t have such Kavana’s then one should repeat the bracha. Eliyah Rabba 213:8 and Levush explain that we don’t say [[Safek Brachot LeHakel]] in this case because S”A holds for certain like the opinion Mitzvot need Kavana and so one can repeat the bracha without Safek. Additionally, Pri Megadim (Introduction to Brachot HaShachar s.v. Od Ra’eti) holds that if one did a mitzvah without Kavana one must repeat with a bracha. Halacha Brurah 60:13 (like Magen Avraham and Mishna Brurah) rules that because of [[Safek Brachot LeHakel]] (which is said even against S”A as in Sh”t Chaim Shal 2:15, Sh”t Yabia Omer O”C 5:42(3), Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:28) one shouldn’t repeat the bracha since there’s a Safek for the Rishonim that one doesn’t need Kavana and also a Safek that Kavana may only be required on a Derabanan level but on a Deoritta level one fulfill the mitzvah. </ref> | # If one did a mitzvah without Kavana to fulfill the mitzvah one should repeat it without a bracha.<ref> Magen Avraham 489:8 writes that one needs specific intent to fulfill one’s obligation, but if one did the mitzvah Stam (no Kavana to be Yotze or not) one should repeat it without a Bracha since there’s Rishonim who hold Mitzvot need Kavana. Shaarei Knesset Gedola 489:1, Chok Yacov 489, Gra 489, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 489:14, and Mishna Brurah (60:8,10, Beiur Halacha s.v. Vechen Halacha) concur. However, Taz 489:8 holds that there’s no distinction between the mitzvah and the bracha and any time there’s a need to repeat the mitzvah one can make a Bracha. Nonetheless, Sh”t Nachfa Bekesef O”C 8, Chok Yacov 589:15, Mamer Mordechai 489:6 reject the Taz.] S”A 213:3 says that unless the one hearing the bracha and the one making the bracha have Kavana one doesn’t fulfill his obligation, implying that if one didn’t have such Kavana’s then one should repeat the bracha. Eliyah Rabba 213:8 and Levush explain that we don’t say [[Safek Brachot LeHakel]] in this case because S”A holds for certain like the opinion Mitzvot need Kavana and so one can repeat the bracha without Safek. Additionally, Pri Megadim (Introduction to Brachot HaShachar s.v. Od Ra’eti) holds that if one did a mitzvah without Kavana one must repeat with a bracha. Halacha Brurah 60:13 (like Magen Avraham and Mishna Brurah) rules that because of [[Safek Brachot LeHakel]] (which is said even against S”A as in Sh”t Chaim Shal 2:15, Sh”t Yabia Omer O”C 5:42(3), Sh”t Otzrot Yosef 1:28) one shouldn’t repeat the bracha since there’s a Safek for the Rishonim that one doesn’t need Kavana and also a Safek that Kavana may only be required on a Derabanan level but on a Deoritta level one fulfill the mitzvah. </ref> | ||
==Certain exceptions== | ==Certain exceptions== | ||
# By Derabanan Mitzvot, many Achronim hold that one doesn’t need Kavana, and some hold even by Derabanan’s one needs Kavana. <Ref> | # By Derabanan Mitzvot, many Achronim hold that one doesn’t need Kavana, and some hold even by Derabanan’s one needs Kavana. <Ref> | ||
