 | Ch. 49:1-16. The laws of blessing on wine and others |
|---|
| Hebrew/English Main Text | Hebrew Main Text | English Main Text | Previous | Next | Help | Index | Home |
| Ch. 49:1-16. The laws of blessing on wine and others |
|---|
| 49:1 |
 One blesses on wine,
"the creator of the fruit of grapes",
and afterward (drinking),
"on the grapes...".
It makes no difference on (which kind of) wine:
even if it is still fermenting;
or even if it flowed (from grapes) on its own;
or even pasteurised or Conditon
- i.e., one added to it
honey or spices (for flavour)
- or absinthe which is bitter. Even if the wine has a vinegary smell,
if it has the taste of wine,
it is considered to be wine
with regard to the blessing.
However, if it has become sour
to the extent that most people
would no longer drink it,
because of it's vinegary (taste),
there is a doubt about the blessing.
(Even though one could first say
"that everything..."
there is still doubt
regarding the "final blessing".)
Hence, one should not drink it
unless one first blesses
over good wine*.*{See end of Ch. 53 for the laws of raisin wine.} |
|---|---|
| 49:2 |
Wine that is made from grape peels
by treading on them
and not by squeezing in a wine press,
if one added to it water,
even if no more (wine) was produced
than (the water that) was put in,
or even if less is produced;
as long as it tastes like wine
one says on it
"the creator of the fruit of grapes". However, if the grape peels were squeezed
in a wine press,
and afterwards water was poured over them,
or water was poured
over wine dregs
(this mixture) is regarded as water. |
| 49:3 |
Wine which became mixed with water,
if the wine is only
one (part)
to six parts of water,
the wine is cancelled
and (the mixture) is considered water.
If the (proportion) of wine is more,
(then) if the local custom
is to mix (their wine) to this extent
and drink (this mixture)
instead of wine,
we say on it
"the creator of the fruit of grapes"
and afterwards
"on the grapes"
if not (the local custom)
then one's own opinion is not considered. |
| 49:4 |
Just as a loaf of bread
if one intends it (as the main item),
cancels (the need of blessing over)
most other foods.
Similarly wine,
if one intends
to drink wine (as the main drink)
cancels (the need to bless over)
other beverages,
both the blessing before
and the "final blessing". This applies if (the other) beverages
were before him
when he bless over the wine,
or, at least, he had
the intention of drinking these beverages.
However, if they were not before him
and he did not have them in mind,
there is a doubt
whether he needs to bless over them
or not.
Therefore,
he should refrain from (drinking) them
until after saying
a "final blessing" over the wine.
Or one may bless
on some other food
"that everything..."
with the intention that it cover
also these beverages. |
| 49:5 |
If he did not intend
to drink wine
but rather drank incidentally,
and also did not intend
to drink other beverages.
A question remains regarding
the "final blessing",
whether (the other beverages) are covered
by the blessing "on the grapes",
which was said on the wine
or not.* * {According to the Shulchon Oruch HoRav 174:4 and the Mishnoh B'rurah 174:3, if the other beverages were before one when he recited the blessing on wine, they are included in that blessing and do not require a separate blessing of their own.}
|
| 49:6 |
One who makes kiddush on wine
and intends to drink
brandy or coffee,
there is a doubt
if they are included
in the blessing over the wine
or not.
Therefore, one should intend
not to include them,
rather
bless over some sugar
"that everything..."
and include also these beverages. |
| 49:7 |
When one blesses over wine
in the middle of a meal,
where there are also others (eating)
one should say
"pay attention my masters"
where one is saying (to them)
"pay attention and listen"
so they will stop eating
and listen to the blessing.* * {The Misgeres Hashulchon (9) and the Mishnoh B'rurah 174:46 state that this applies only when the others intend to fulfill their obligation by reciting "Amen" to his blessing.} |
| 49:8 |
(People) were drinking one type of wine
whether during the meal
or not during the meal,
and another (type of) wine was brought to them,
they should not say over it
"the creator of the fruit of grapes",
because they have not changed their minds
or diverted their attention
from (drinking) wine.
But say on it
"who is good and who does good". Similarly, if there was brought to them
a third (type of) wine,
they should also say on it
"who is good and who does good"
The same (rule) applies for many (types of wine)
(from [The Jerusalem Talmud, Berochos 6:8) we learn
that Rabbi (Yehudah Hanosi)
for every barrel of wine
he would open
he would bless
"who is good and who does good"). |
| 49:9 |
If a person actually changed his mind
to the extent that he needs to say again
"the creator of the fruit of grapes" (See Ch. 57)
he should first say
"who is good and who does good"
and then
"the creator of the fruit of grapes". |
| 49:10 |
One says
"who is good and who does good"
only when one
does not know
if the second (type of wine) is inferior to the first,
even if one does not know
if one will like the first (wine).
However, if one knows
that it (the second) is inferior to the first
no blessing is said over it.
However, if it is healthy to the body,
more than the first,
even if it has a worst taste,
one says over it
"who is good and who does good". |
| 49:11 |
Even if they had
from the beginning two (types of) wine
but they were not together in front of (the host)
when he said
"the creator of the fruit of grapes".
He should say on the second, better (wine)
"who is good and who does good".
But if both types
were on the table before him,
one does not say
"who is good and who does good"
rather
"the creator of the fruit of grapes"
is said on the better (wine)
to include also the inferior. |
| 49:12 |
One does not say
"who is good and who does good"
only if there is more
of the first type of wine
and they want to drink the second,
and so change wines.
However, if because
the first (wine) was used up,
they brought the second
they do not bless over it. |
| 49:13 |
One does not say
"who is good and who does good"
except together with another person
who is also drinking
from both types of wine.
This is implied by
"Who is good" (for himself)
"and Who does good" (to others). This is also the case
with one's wife and children.
However, if he is alone,
he does not bless over it. |
| 49:14 |
A guest that dines at home of a host,
if the host puts the bottle (of wine)
on the table so whoever wants to drink can,
as is done in large feasts,
the wine is considered to be jointly owned.
So they bless
"who is good and who does good"
But if the host
gives each one a cup (of wine)
they do not say
"who is good and who does good"
since they do not have a share in the wine.
Even the host
does not bless. |
| 49:15 |
One person can bless
in order to include others.
He first says
"pay attention..."
so that they should pay attention, listen,
and respond "Amen"
and so are included in his blessing.
This applies only when each one
has his own cup (of wine) before him,
so that he can drink immediately,
and there will not be a break
between the blessing and the drinking. |
| 49:16 |
If one says grace after meals
on a different type of wine [from that of the meal],
there is no need to say over it
"who is good and who does good".
The obligation is fulfilled
by the mention in the grace
"who is good and who does good" |