Text of Brachot: Difference between revisions
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==Why Chazal Formulated the Text of Brachot as They Did?== | ==Why Chazal Formulated the Text of Brachot as They Did?== | ||
#All brachot are required to begin with Baruch Atta Hashem Melech Haolam unless they are adjoined to another bracha. This is called ''bracha hasemucha lchaverta'', which is discussed on the [[Bracha Hasemucha Lchaverta]] page. | #All brachot are required to begin with Baruch Atta Hashem Melech Haolam unless they are adjoined to another bracha. This is called ''bracha hasemucha lchaverta'', which is discussed on the [[Bracha Hasemucha Lchaverta]] page. | ||
# Most birchot hamitzvah begin with the text of "al" or "le" which is written with the letter lamed. The rishonim debate the reason for each bracha. The primary motivation that the Gemara Pesachim 7a outlines as to why brachot have a certain text is in order to indicate that it is going to be fulfilled in the future. Lamed certainly has the implication of the future, whereas "al" is a dispute. Nonetheless, the conclusion is that "al" also refers to the future. Therefore, both are acceptable but for certain cases one is more appropriate than the other. The two main approaches in the rishonim as to explaining most brachot are espoused by Rabbenu Tam and the Riva. Rabbenu Tam thinks that any mitzvah which is fulfilled at one time, isn't ongoing, and doesn't involve a duration with pauses should have the text of "al". If it is a mitzvah that endures for some time and includes pauses or is an ongoing mitzvah it should begin with a lamed. Riva, on the other hand, thinks that the main consideration is whether a person can fulfill it through an agent or he must do so by himself. If he must do it by himself, the most appropriate text is "al", but if he must do it himself the text should begin with a lamed.<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10</ref> | |||
#[[Erusin]]: The text is She'asar Lanu Et Harusot and doesn't begin with lamed or al but is a discussion if it is recited before or after the performance of the mitzvah. See [[Kiddushin]] page. | #[[Erusin]]: The text is She'asar Lanu Et Harusot and doesn't begin with lamed or al but is a discussion if it is recited before or after the performance of the mitzvah. See [[Kiddushin]] page. | ||
# [[Bedikat Chametz]]: Al Biur Chametz. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it can be fulfilled by an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva, Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | # [[Bedikat Chametz]]: Al Biur Chametz. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it can be fulfilled by an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva, Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
# [[Sefirat Haomer]]: Al Sefirat Haomer. Some explain that it is because of the fact that it is a bracha as a result of a past event, the bringing of the korban haomer.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vsefirat explains that Sefirat Haomer has the text of Al because it is a counting from a past event, namely, the bringing of the korban haomer and "Al" implies the past more than "L".</ref> | # [[Sefirat Haomer]]: Al Sefirat Haomer. Some explain that it is because of the fact that it is a bracha as a result of a past event, the bringing of the korban haomer.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vsefirat explains that Sefirat Haomer has the text of Al because it is a counting from a past event, namely, the bringing of the korban haomer and "Al" implies the past more than "L".</ref> | ||
#[[Chanuka]]: Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanuka. Some explain that it is because the bracha upon seeing the candles can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> Some explain that the text begins with lamed because the candles need to belong to a person himself and no one else.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with a lamed because it is a mitzvah that endures for some period of time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | #[[Chanuka]]: Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanuka. Some explain that it is because the bracha upon seeing the candles can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> Some explain that the text begins with lamed because the candles need to belong to a person himself and no one else.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with a lamed because it is a mitzvah that endures for some period of time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Sitting in the Sukkah]]: Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it endures for some time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam, Michtam Pesachim 7b s.v. zeh citing the Ramban</ref> | #[[Sitting in the Sukkah]]: Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it endures for some time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam, Michtam Pesachim 7b s.v. zeh citing the Ramban</ref> | ||
#Shaking Lulav: Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> | #Shaking Lulav: Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani</ref> | ||
#[[Tefillin]]: Lhaniach Tefillin: Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani, Talmid Harashba Pesachim 7a s.v. al citing Riva</ref> Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it endures for some time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Michtam Pesachim 7b s.v. zeh citing the Ramban</ref> This approach also explains why for Tefillin Shel Yad the bracha starts with a lamed because it continues and includes the Tefillin Shel Rosh, however, the bracha for Tefillin Shel Rosh | #[[Tefillin]]: Lhaniach Tefillin: Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani, Talmid Harashba Pesachim 7a s.v. al citing Riva</ref> Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it endures for some time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam, Michtam Pesachim 7b s.v. zeh citing the Ramban</ref> This approach also explains why for Tefillin Shel Yad the bracha starts with a lamed because it continues and includes the Tefillin Shel Rosh, however, the bracha for Tefillin Shel Rosh, begins with "al".<reF>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> Alternatively, really both should have had the language of lamed because they are enduring mitzvot but since chazal didn't want to establish two identical brachot to be recited one after another they instituted the Shel Rosh bracha to be with "al".<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10</ref> | ||
#[[Tzitzit]]: Lihitatef Btzitzit. Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani, Talmid Harashba Pesachim 7a s.v. al citing Riva, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with a lamed because it is a mitzvah that endures for some period of time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | #[[Tzitzit]]: Lihitatef Btzitzit. Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. vani, Talmid Harashba Pesachim 7a s.v. al citing Riva, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with a lamed because it is a mitzvah that endures for some period of time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Maror]]: Al Achilat Maror. Some argue that the text should read Lachol Maror and explain that it is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Talmid Harashba Pesachim 7a s.v. al citing Riva, Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. velinyan achilat</ref> | #[[Maror]]: Al Achilat Maror. Some argue that the text should read Lachol Maror and explain that it is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself and not through anyone else.<ref>Talmid Harashba Pesachim 7a s.v. al citing Riva, Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. velinyan achilat</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref | ||
#[[Matzah]]: Al Achilat Matzah. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | #[[Matzah]]: Al Achilat Matzah. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Trumot and Maaserot]]: Lhafrish Trumot Umaaserot. Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself or an agent with the permission of the owner.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. ulinyan hafrashat</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Trumot and Maaserot]]: Lhafrish Trumot Umaaserot. Some explain that the reason the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah can only be fulfilled by a person himself or an agent with the permission of the owner.<ref>Ri Mnarvona Pesachim 7a s.v. ulinyan hafrashat</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Hafrashat Challah]]: Al Hafrashat Challah. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Hafrashat Challah]]: Al Hafrashat Challah. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#[[Shofar]]: Lishoma Kol Shofar. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with a lamed because it is a mitzvah that endures for some period of time.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> Some rishonim have the text Al Tekiyat Shofar. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Others explain that the reason fof this text is because it is a quick mitzvah.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Shofar]]: Lishoma Kol Shofar. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with a lamed because it is a mitzvah that endures for some period of time.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> Alternatively within the same approach, the mitzvah involves pauses for reciting the sections of Shemona Esrei relevant to the shofar between blows.<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> Some rishonim explain that the reason for this text is because a person must listen to the shofar by himself.<Ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Riva</ref> Some rishonim have the text Al Tekiyat Shofar. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Others explain that the reason fof this text is because it is a quick mitzvah.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#[[Lulav]]: Al netilat lulav. The Gemara Pesachim 7b explains that the text of "al" is because once a person picks it up he already fulfilled the mitzvah and the term "al" implies the past more than "L". | #[[Lulav]]: Al netilat lulav. The Gemara Pesachim 7b explains that the text of "al" is because once a person picks it up he already fulfilled the mitzvah and the term "al" implies the past more than "L". | ||
#[[Megilah]]: Al Mikra Megillah. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Megilah]]: Al Mikra Megillah. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> Meaning, even if the megillah itself takes a long time, there's no pauses involved in the mitzvah; from the very beginning of the mitzvah to the end there is no institution to have a pause of a duration of time.<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam<ref> | ||
#[[Shechita]]: Al Hashechita. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | #[[Shechita]]: Al Hashechita. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Milah]]: Al Hamilah. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | #[[Milah]]: Al Hamilah. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Milah]]: Lehachniso. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah endures for some time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Milah]]: Lehachniso. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with a lamed is because the mitzvah endures for some time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#[[Tevilah]]: Al Hatevilah. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because even though tevilah of a person can't be fulfilled with an agent and must be fulfilled by himself, since [[tevilat kelim]] can be fulfilled with an agent the bracha for all of tevilah established with "al".<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> | #[[Tevilah]]: Al Hatevilah. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because even though tevilah of a person can't be fulfilled with an agent and must be fulfilled by himself, since [[tevilat kelim]] can be fulfilled with an agent the bracha for all of tevilah established with "al".<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure with any pauses.<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Tevilat Kelim]]: Al Tevilat Kelim. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Tevilat Kelim]]: Al Tevilat Kelim. Some explain that the reason that the text starts with "al" is because it can be fulfilled with an agent.<ref>Rabbenu Peretz 7b s.v. lechen citing Riva</ref> Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#Kisuy Hadam: Al Kisuy Hadam. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #Kisuy Hadam: Al Kisuy Hadam. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#[[Pidyon Haben]]: Al Pidyon Haben. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Pidyon Haben]]: Al Pidyon Haben. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#[[Netilat Yadayim]]: Al Netilat Yadayim. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Netilat Yadayim]]: Al Netilat Yadayim. Some explain that the text of the bracha begins with "al" because it is a quick mitzvah that doesn't endure for a long time.<ref>Rabbenu Tam in Sefer Hayashar ch. 340, Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | ||
#[[Birchot Hatorah]]: Lasok Bdivrei Torah. Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it endures forever and isn't quickly fulfilled.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | #[[Birchot Hatorah]]: Lasok Bdivrei Torah. Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it endures forever and isn't quickly fulfilled.<ref>Sefer Hayashar ch. 340</ref> | ||
#[[Hallel]]: Ligmor/Likroh Et Hahallel. Some say that the bracha starts with a lamed because it involves breaks for the chazan to wait for the congregation to respond to his reading and the congregation needs to wait for the chazan. Additionally, it could be said at any time that there's a salvation for the Jews.<ref>Rosh Pesachim 1:10 citing Rabbenu Tam</ref> | |||
==Related Pages== | ==Related Pages== | ||
