Brachos 37 – ברכות לז

Posted on September 7, 2012

Today’s Daf Yomi Question:

The bracha on rice according to the Chachamim is Mezonos before and Shehakol after. The reason for this is because although rice is somewhat equated to the other grains in its sustenance abilities hence the Mezonos, nevertheless the bracha of Al Hamichya is reserved strictly for the Seven Species of Eretz Yisrael which is referred to in Al Hamichya. But how do we understand the opinion of Rabban Gamliel that one recites Al Hamichya after rice, since it is not a species unique to Eretz Yisrael?

Click here to reply / view answers

Brachos 49 – ברכות מט

Posted on September 19, 2012

Click here to view text of Daf (can be minimized to view alongside player)

Download Video (mp4)

Download Audio

Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3

Today’s Daf Yomi Shiur:

The Gemara teaches that one who omitted Shabbos/Yom Tov from his Birchas Hamzon and has already begun Hatov V’hameitiv he has to recite Birchas Hamzon again. Rashi explains that starting the bracha of Hatov V’hameitiv is equated to having completed Shemone Esrei and uprooting his feet (which requires one to return to the beginning of Shemone Esrei if he omitted something) since he concluded the first three brachos (which are biblical). But haven’t we learned that if one is accustomed to adding ‘divrei tachnunim’ (prayers of supplication) at the end of Shemone Esrei, it is considered as though he is still in the middle of Shemone Esrei – and here too since he is still adding more to his Birchas Hamazon why don’t we consider him as though he is still in the middle?

Click here to reply / view answers

Eruvin 4 – עירובין ד

Posted on March 12, 2013

If there is a Chatzitza present on most of the hair, the Tevillah is passul. Rashi describes the hair being knotted one by one. Why is this considered a Chatitza on most of the hair if only a minute portion of each hair contains the knot (which prevents water from entering the interior of that knot)?

We learn that Shiurim were learned from Sinai. We also learn about the seeming uncertainty as to the exact size of an Amma. How can there be a safek about something which was taught through a Halacha lemoshe misinai (see Ramba”m’s Introduction to Mishnah)?

Click here to reply