The opinions of halachic authorities

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 84 views

Purim Torah In Jest

The Mysterious Stone of Beverages

As we all know, on Har Habayit there's a miraculous stone called "Even Ha'Shityah" (אבן השתיה), which is Hebrew for "the stone of beverages". The name seems to indicate that when one drinks from this stone, they will be granted a special blessing. But what about the beverages that are not from this stone? Do we make a bracha (blessing) on them as well?

The Bracha on Beverages

In the Shulchan Aruch, the code of Jewish law written by Rabbi Yosef Karo, it is written that when one drinks from a cup, they should make a bracha on the beverage. However, the Shulchan Aruch does not specify what type of cup or what type of beverage is required for the bracha. This has led to much debate and discussion among halachic authorities.

The Even Ha'Shtiyah Factor

Some argue that since the Even Ha'Shtiyah is a miraculous stone that grants a special blessing, we should make a bracha on all beverages that are not from this stone. After all, the name of the stone implies that it is a source of blessings for all beverages. Others argue that the bracha is only required for beverages that are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, and not for other types of beverages.

The Halachic Debate

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, a renowned halachic authority, wrote in his book "Igrot Moshe" that the bracha is only required for beverages that are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah. He argued that the name of the stone is a reference to the fact that it is a source of blessings for all beverages, but it does not imply that the bracha is required for all beverages.

On the other hand, Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, another prominent halachic authority, wrote in his book "Tzitz Eliezer" that the bracha is required for all beverages, regardless of whether they are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah or not. He argued that the name of the stone is a reference to the fact that it is a source of blessings for all beverages, and therefore we should make a bracha on all beverages.

The Practical Application

So what does this mean for us in practice? If we are drinking from a cup that is not from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, do we make a bracha on the beverage? The answer is not clear-cut. Some say that we should make a bracha on all beverages, while others say that we should only make a bracha on beverages that are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of whether we make a bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah is a complex one. While some halachic authorities argue that the bracha is only required for beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, others argue that the bracha is required for all beverages. Ultimately, the decision of whether to make a bracha on a beverage is up to each individual to decide.

The Final Word

As we celebrate Purim and the miracle of the Purim story, we are reminded of the importance of following the halachic guidelines for making a bracha on beverages. Whether or not we make a bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, we should always strive to follow the halachic guidelines and to make a bracha on all beverages with the proper intention and kavanah (intention).

The Halachic Debate: A Closer Look

As we delve deeper into the halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, we can see that there are several different opinions on the matter. Some of the key points to consider include:

The name of the stone: The name of the stone, "Even Ha'Shtiyah", implies that it is a source of blessings for all beverages. However, this does not necessarily mean that the bracha is required for all beverages.
The halachic guidelines: The Shulchan Aruch does not specify what type of cup or what type of beverage is required for the bracha. This has led to much debate and discussion among halachic authorities.
The opinions of halachic authorities: Some halachic authorities, such as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, argue that the bracha is only required for beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah. Others, such as Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, argue that the bracha is required for all beverages.

The Practical Application: A Guide

So what does this mean for us in practice? If we are drinking from a cup that is not from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, do we make a bracha on the beverage? Here are some guidelines to consider:

Make a bracha on all beverages: Some say that we should make a bracha on all beverages, regardless of whether they are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah or not.
Only make a bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah: Others say that we should only make a bracha on beverages that are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah.
Follow the halachic guidelines: Ultimately, the decision of whether to make a bracha on a beverage is up to each individual to decide. We should always strive to follow the halachic guidelines and to make a bracha on all beverages with the proper intention and kavanah (intention).

The Conclusion: A Final Word

Purim Torah In Jest

Q&A: Bracha on the Beverages from Even Ha'Shtiyah?

Q: What is the Even Ha'Shtiyah?

A: The Even Ha'Shtiyah is a miraculous stone on Har Habayit that is said to grant a special blessing to those who drink from it.

Q: Why is it called the "Stone of Beverages"?

A: The name "Even Ha'Shtiyah" is Hebrew for "the stone of beverages", implying that it is a source of blessings for all beverages.

Q: Do we make a bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah?

A: Some halachic authorities argue that we should only make a bracha on beverages that are from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, while others argue that we should make a bracha on all beverages.

Q: What is the halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah?

A: The halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah centers around the name of the stone and the halachic guidelines for making a bracha on beverages.

Q: What are the opinions of halachic authorities on the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah?

A: Some halachic authorities, such as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, argue that the bracha is only required for beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah, while others, such as Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, argue that the bracha is required for all beverages.

Q: What is the practical application of the halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah?

A: The practical application of the halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah is that we should always strive to follow the halachic guidelines and to make a bracha on all beverages with the proper intention and kavanah (intention).

Q: What is the conclusion of the halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah?

A: The conclusion of the halachic debate surrounding the bracha on beverages from the Even Ha'Shtiyah is that the decision of whether to make a bracha on a beverage is up to each individual to decide.

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