Kavana During Brachot: Difference between revisions
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==Thinking about the words== | ==Thinking about the words== | ||
# When reciting brachot a person must think about the meaning of the words one is reciting.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 5:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu 6:1</ref> A blessing should not be thrown from one's mouth and one should make blessings peacefully and calmly. One should think about Hashem's kindness in having provided us with the food or Mitzva which we are about to perform. One who recites blessings out of mere habit arouses Hashem's anger against His people.<ref>Mishna Brurah 5:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu 6:1</ref> | # When reciting brachot a person must think about the meaning of the words one is reciting.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 5:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu 6:1</ref> A blessing should not be thrown from one's mouth and one should make blessings peacefully and calmly. One should think about Hashem's kindness in having provided us with the food or Mitzva which we are about to perform. One who recites blessings out of mere habit arouses Hashem's anger against His people.<ref>Mishna Brurah 5:1; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu 6:1</ref> | ||
# One should not be doing anything else while reciting a beracha or a [[prayer]] even if he feels it will not interfere with his kavana. <ref> Halacha Brurah 5:2. The Yerushalmi (Brachot 2:2) writes that it is forbidden to do any work while one is saying birkat hamazon. Ramban (Milchamot Brachot 9a) quotes it. Shulchan Aruch 191:3 codifies it as halacha. Taz 191:1 expands this to all brachot and mitzvot since it is considered like one is treating the bracha or mitzvah insignificantly. Even though the Mishna Brurah 63:19 asks on the Taz from the Shulchan Aruch 63:7 in 191 he seems to accept the Taz completely. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:1, Kaf Hachaim 191:5, Vezot Habracha (ch. 1 p. 11), Halacha Brurah 5:2 codify the Taz. The Pri Megadim M"Z 191:1 explains that the Taz holds that even though it is permitted to do work during birchot kriyat shema that it is because it is like learning unlike every other mitzvah which is forbidden to do work while doing the mitzvah.</ref> For example one shouldn't set the table, play with a kid, or dry one's hands while reciting a bracha.<ref>Vezot Habracha p. 11</ref> | # One should not be doing anything else while reciting a beracha or a [[prayer]] even if he feels it will not interfere with his kavana.<ref> Halacha Brurah 5:2. The Yerushalmi (Brachot 2:2) writes that it is forbidden to do any work while one is saying birkat hamazon. Ramban (Milchamot Brachot 9a) quotes it. Shulchan Aruch 191:3 codifies it as halacha. Taz 191:1 expands this to all brachot and mitzvot since it is considered like one is treating the bracha or mitzvah insignificantly. Even though the Mishna Brurah 63:19 asks on the Taz from the Shulchan Aruch 63:7 in 191 he seems to accept the Taz completely. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:1, Kaf Hachaim 191:5, Vezot Habracha (ch. 1 p. 11), Halacha Brurah 5:2 codify the Taz. The Pri Megadim M"Z 191:1 explains that the Taz holds that even though it is permitted to do work during birchot kriyat shema that it is because it is like learning unlike every other mitzvah which is forbidden to do work while doing the mitzvah.</ref> For example one shouldn't set the table, play with a kid, or dry one's hands while reciting a bracha.<ref>Vezot Habracha p. 11</ref> | ||
# It is technically permitted to recite a bracha besides Birkat Hamazon or Al Hamichya while walking, however, it is preferable not to so that one can have proper intent when reciting the bracha.<ref>The Rif (Brachot 9b) clearly distinguishes between walking while saying kriyat shema which takes away one's intent and working while saying shema which degrades the shema. Therefore he writes that only the first pasuk needs intent but it is nonetheless it is forbidden to work for the whole first paragraph. Therefore, even after the Taz 191:1 expanded the prohibition to do any work during any bracha, it is nonetheless permitted to walk during a bracha. That is the conclusion of the Vezot Habracha (ch. 1 p. 11) from the Mishna Brurah. Nonetheless, he cites the Halichot Shlomo 22:5 who writes that it is preferable not to say brachot while walking.</ref> | # It is technically permitted to recite a bracha besides Birkat Hamazon or Al Hamichya while walking, however, it is preferable not to so that one can have proper intent when reciting the bracha.<ref>The Rif (Brachot 9b) clearly distinguishes between walking while saying kriyat shema which takes away one's intent and working while saying shema which degrades the shema. Therefore he writes that only the first pasuk needs intent but it is nonetheless it is forbidden to work for the whole first paragraph. Therefore, even after the Taz 191:1 expanded the prohibition to do any work during any bracha, it is nonetheless permitted to walk during a bracha. That is the conclusion of the Vezot Habracha (ch. 1 p. 11) from the Mishna Brurah. Nonetheless, he cites the Halichot Shlomo 22:5 who writes that it is preferable not to say brachot while walking.</ref> | ||
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# Although one should think about how Hashem's name was pronounced in the Temple (as it is spelled), one is forbidden to pronounce Hashem's name this way and one who does so loses his portion in the world to come.<ref>Mishna Brurah 5:2</ref> | # Although one should think about how Hashem's name was pronounced in the Temple (as it is spelled), one is forbidden to pronounce Hashem's name this way and one who does so loses his portion in the world to come.<ref>Mishna Brurah 5:2</ref> | ||
# When reciting the name "E-lohim" one should think about the fact that Hashem is strong, all-capable, and omnipotent.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 5:1</ref> | # When reciting the name "E-lohim" one should think about the fact that Hashem is strong, all-capable, and omnipotent.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 5:1</ref> | ||
# When reciting Hashem's name not in the context of a beracha or the first pasuk of the [[shema]], it is not necessary to have these kavanot. <ref> Or Litzion 2:1:18 </ref> | # When reciting Hashem's name not in the context of a beracha or the first pasuk of the [[shema]], it is not necessary to have these kavanot.<ref> Or Litzion 2:1:18 </ref> | ||
==Related Pages== | ==Related Pages== | ||
# Regarding preparing oneself to make a bracha properly, see the [[Before_the_Bracha]] page. | # Regarding preparing oneself to make a bracha properly, see the [[Before_the_Bracha]] page. | ||
