Rabboisai,
This week I respond to two separate but related questions. Indeed, the old adage must be rewritten: Lightning CAN strike twice, especially when we are talking about minuvals.
Adrian G. writes:
"Dear Abbey (I mean Rabbey):
"As you are aware, some of us have a fondness for shrimp that we try to repress. However, once in a while, I am tempted to go to the local Red Lobster. What bracha should I make on these rare occasions?"
The other letter comes from a schmendrick who did not sign his name, providing only an e-mail address. What do you think -- if you come in front of Hakkadoshboruchhu, the Melech Malchei Hamelachim, on Yoim Kippur and provide your e-mail address, He will accept your teshuva? Have you ever heard anyone called up to the Toirah for an Aliyah: "Ya'amoid Longpayis@AOL ben Pishvasser12@MSN, Reviyi"? Minuval.
In any case, BugXX.com writes (incidentally, the spelling and punctuation below are his):
"Dear rav Shmeckelstein,
"I have seen your divrei toraha nd have to ask you a question I am too affraid to ask my rav at beit knesset.
"Sometims I forget to make a bracha in eating. I know the brachot are supposed to be said before eating, but often the food is in my mouth before I remember, and sometimes I have even started chewing. From time to time I even swallow a mouthful as well before I remember I forget to make a bracha.
"so What to do? I feel I ought to maka a bracha as soon as I remember, even if I have already swallowed some, but it's not nice with a mouthful.
"I await your paskening on this and wonder if your psak is applicable to any other situations tat we might learn from as well."
Well, BugXX.Com, I am not sure if what you need is a Psak Halacha, or a few weeks back in grammar school. According to the RITVA, the only thing the Rebboinoisheloilum likes less that someone who does not show appreciation for His creations (through the making of brachois) is someone who does not show appreciation for the written and spoken word. After all, language IS what separates us from the animals, you behaima.
And as for you, Adrian G., how can I answer your question when I don't know if you are a man or a woman? What kind of name is Adrian? What should I tell you if making a bracha on shrimp is a Mitvas Asei She-Hazman Gramma, a commandment applicable to men but not to women? "Okay -- look in the mirror. If you see two double-d-sized kneidlach on your chest, please disregard the following..." Doesn't work.
Nisht geferlach. For the sake of Toiras Moishe, I will set aside these concerns and address your issues one by one.
Meilah, the issue of Brachois is complex, not the simple topic as it is portrayed for every school aged child. Klal Yisroel has been using some form of tefillah to communicate with the Aimishteh since Bayis Shaiynee, the Second Temple. This, of course, reflects an effort to reduce the management fees that went to the koihanim, the descendants of Aharoin Hacoihain, thereby reducing their monopoly of facilitating all interaction with the Rebboinoisheloilum through the provision of services in the Bais Hamikdash.
With regard to Brachois themselves, there is a famous machloikess -- Rabbinic debate -- between Bais Hillel and Bais Shammai in a Mishnah in the second Perek of Maseches Brachois. According to Bais Hillel, one is supposed to make a Bracha, a benediction, prior to the first bite of food, as a sign of appreciation to Hakkadoshboruchhu for providing the meal, and then may proceed with eating the entire meal. However, according to Bais Shammai, one is required to make a Bracha before every bite, as a sign of appreciation to the Rebboinoisheloilum for providing every morsel. As in most other disputes between Bais Hillel and Bais Shammai, we don't hold according to Bais Shammai, as most of Shammai's students could not pass along their learning because they all choked to death.
The Gemarrah addresses this specific debate. Asks Abaya: Why do we have to make so many Brachois everyday as a means of expressing our thanksgiving? Why can't we simply send the Aimishteh a nice thank you note every once in a while, or maybe organize an annual parade?
Rava answers in the name of Rav Dimi, who says in the name of Rabbah Bar Bar Chana, who heard Rav Shayshess once say in the name of Chiyya Bar Abba, who was quoting Rav Huna in the name of Rish Lakish, who once overheard a conversation between Abba Bar Abba and Rav Assi, as they were discussing something that Reb Yehuda Hannassi once said while having his shoes shined by Rav Yoichanan HaSandlar. According to Rava, inasmuch as prayer is a substitute for Karbonois, animal sacrifice, in a world in which we no longer have a Holy Temple, we must be sure to honor Hakkadoshboruch at every turn, because He is likely to get angry and bring death and destruction upon Klal Yisroel, or at a minimum, raise taxes. And since Brachois are free, "the price is right" according to Rava, and it is a total win/ win.
A Ma'aseh Shehoyo. Reb Yisroel Salanter was once studying in his Bais Medrish in Kovno late an night when the beautiful cleaning woman stuck her head in. "Rabbi," she said, "can I interest you in a some mushed up banana?" "Of course," responded Reb Yisroel. A few minutes later the cleaning woman was hanging upside down on Reb Yisroel's shtender, as he proceeded to devour the mushed up banana.
After the fourth lick, Reb Yisroel screamed out in a loud voice, "Uchinvei, I've forgotten to make a bracha!" His outcry, muffled as it was, reached the heavens. Suddenly, a Bas Kol, a heavenly voice, came down from the heavens, "Reb Yisroel, I'll take a Ha'adamah for the banana, and an Oisay Ma'asaiy Beraishis for the hot shiksa. And don't bother with a shehakol for the gefilta fish."
So, we should never miss an opportunity to express appreciation for enjoying the Aimishteh's creations. When we are eating. When we wake up in the morning. When we go to the bathroom. When we hear thunder and see lightning. When we realize that, Boruch Hashem, we are not women.
And we are compelled to express our appreciation to Hakkadoshboruchhu, even when the moment is sub-optimal. Even if we are running a little late. Even if we forget at first and only remember after the third bite. And even if we are eating a little Traifus when the wife is out to town. After all -- He created shrimp as well.
