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Not Sure If I Said A Berachah What Should I Do?

Updated: Feb 24

The Daily Halacha Moment - Doubt if Recited A Berachah 🗣️


״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)


“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)


Question:

What should one do if one isn't sure if one recite a berachah on a food or drink? Do I repeat the Berachah?


Answer:

It is not uncommon for a person to be unsure whether they have already recited a berachah before eating or after finishing their food. The halachic principle of "Safek Berachot Lehakel" (when in doubt regarding a berachah, we rule leniently) plays a crucial role in determining what to do in such cases.


Unsure About a Berachah Rishona (Blessing Before Eating)

If one is uncertain whether they recited a Berachah Rishona (such as Shehakol, HaMotzi, HaAdama, etc.), they should not recite the berachah again. This is because all Berachot Rishonot are rabbinic (derabanan) in nature, and when there is doubt regarding a derabanan, we apply the principle of Safek Berachot Lehakel—meaning we do not recite a blessing out of doubt to avoid the risk of saying Hashem’s Name in vain. [1]


Unsure About a Berachah Achrona (Blessing After Eating)

Similarly, if one is unsure whether they have recited a Berachah Achrona (such as Boreh Nefashot or Mein Shalosh), they should not recite it again. Since these after-blessings are also rabbinic, we again apply Safek Berachot Lehakel, and no blessing is recited in cases of doubt. [1]


Unsure About Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals)

However, the case of Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals) is different. Unlike other berachot, Birkat HaMazon is a biblical (de’oraita) obligation, as stated in the Torah:


"וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ"

("And you shall eat, and be satisfied, and bless Hashem, your God." – Devarim 8:10)


Since Birkat HaMazon is a Torah obligation, if one is unsure whether they have recited it, they must recite it again, as the principle of Safek Berachot Lehakel does not apply to de’oraita laws. [1]


However, there is a difference between Sephardic and Ashkenazic practice regarding how much of Birkat HaMazon must be repeated in cases of doubt:


Sephardic Custom: Since only the first three blessings of Birkat HaMazon are considered biblically required (de’oraita), a Sephardic person who is unsure whether they recited it should only recite the first three blessings, stopping after Boneh Yerushalayim. The fourth blessing (HaTov VeHaMeitiv) is derabanan and is therefore omitted in cases of doubt. [2]


Ashkenazic Custom: Ashkenazic authorities rule that one should recite the entire Birkat HaMazon, including all four blessings, even in cases of doubt. [3]


Bezrat Hashem, Tomorrow we will discuss if women need to repeat Birkat HaMazon if in doubt.


Sources:

[1]. Rambam, Berachot, 8:12; Shulchan Aruch 167:9; Chazon Ovadia, Berachot, p. 213.

[2]. Shulchan Aruch 184:4; Chazon Ovadia, Berachot, p. 220; Ben Ish Chai, Chukat 1:9; Kaf HaChaim 184:15; Yalkut Yosef 184:4; Or Letzion vol. 2, 13:4.

[3]. Magen Avraham 184:7; Mishnah Berurah 184:13; Shulchan Aruch HaRav, 184:2.


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