Question:1) If I knead a dough while sitting down, is there a requirement to stand while reciting the brocho (of hafroshas challah)? 2) And what about other brochos? Discussion: 1) The Mishna in Maseches Challoh (Perek 2 Mishna 3) writes that it is forbidden for a man to separate challah while unclothed because of ervoh, whereas it is permitted for a lady to separate challah while unclothed. The Gemoro in Brochos (24a) explains that this is only possible if she is sitting and the ervoh is thus concealed. This Mishna is ruled in Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah Siman 328 Se’if 1). It is clearly implied from here that it is permissible to recite the brocho of hafroshas challah while sitting. In Orach Chayim the Magen Avraham (Siman 8 s.k. 2) writes regarding tzitzis that both the brocho recited on the tzitzis, and the actual atifah should be while standing. The Magen Avraham asks that it appears from Yoreh De’ah Siman 328 [the aforementioned Se’if which discusses a lady being mafrish challah while sitting] that there is no requirement to stand while reciting birchos hamitzvos? The Magen Avraham answers that hafroshas challah is different and “is not considered such a mitzvah, because it is only being performed to rectify the food, similar to shechita”. The Pischei Teshuva (Yoreh De’ah Siman 328 s.k. 2) infers from this Magen Avraham that even an individual who is adequately dressed is allowed to recite the brocho of hafroshas challah while sitting. However, the Pischei Teshuva (ibid) then quotes the Yeshu’os Ya’akov who maintains that when it is possible to recite the brocho while standing one is obligated to stand for the brocho, and only regarding the specific situation of hafroshas challah where the person being mafrish challah is not adequately dressed it is acceptable to sit while reciting the brocho, because in this current situation (i.e. while unclothed) it is not possible to stand for the recital of the brocho. Summary: The Magen Avraham maintains that there is no obligation to stand while reciting the brocho of hafroshas challah. The Yeshu’os Ya’akov argues and maintains that when it is possible to recite the brocho while standing one is obligated to stand for the brocho, and only in a situation where the person is not adequately dressed it is acceptable to sit while reciting the brocho. 2) Regarding standing for other birchos hamitzvos we find various opinions among the Poskim: It appears clear from the aforementioned Magen Avraham that except for hafroshas challah and shechita, one is supposed to stand for all birchos hamitzvos. This also appears to be the opinion of the Beis Yosef, who quotes the Orchos Chayim who himself quotes a Yerushalmi that states that “all brochos are recited while standing” and the Orchos Chayim explains that the Yerushalmi is referring to birchos hamitzvos specifically (as opposed to birchos hanehenin). [It should be mentioned that various commentaries point out that this Yerushalmi quoted by both the Orchos Chayim and Beis Yosef is not to be found in our Talmud Yerushalmi.] The Vilna Gaon however, argues on the differentiation of the Magen Avraham and posits that hafroshas challah is considered a fully-fledged mitzvah. From context, it appears that the Vilna Gaon maintains that there is no obligation to stand for any of the birchos hamitzvos. We find in various Rishonim and Acharonim different opinions as to when there is an obligation to stand for birchos hamitzvos and when there is no obligation: The Sefer Ho’eshkol (Hilchos Birchos Hodo’oh) discusses if birchos hamitzvos need to be recited while standing and writes that birchos hamitzvos that have no [associated] hano’oh require standing, but birchos hamitzvos that have associated hano’oh, for example matzoh, succah, kiddush, hamotzi and birkas hamozon “we have never seen being recited while standing”. The Eshkol then quotes another opinion that maintains that the birchos hamitzvos of six mitzvos specifically require standing, and these mitzvos are sefiras ho’omer, kiddush levono, tzitzis, shofar, lulav and milah. Several Acharonim (Pnei Yehoshua Megillah 21a, Elya Rabboh Siman 8, Rav Shlomo Kluger in Chochmas Shlomo and Rav Ya’akov Emden in Mor u’Ktziah) learn that regarding standing for birchos hamitzvos the brocho for each mitzvah has the same din as the mitzva itself. I.e., those mitzvos that are performed while standing (e.g. shofar and milah) require a brocho while standing, but mitzvos that are performed while sitting (e.g. limmud hatorah, achilas matzoh) the birchos hamitzvos can be recited while sitting as well. Conclusion: 1) Regarding if there is an obligation to stand while reciting the brocho of hafroshas challah the Magen Avraham maintains that specifically with hafroshas challah there is no obligation to stand. 2) Regarding standing for other birchos hamitzvos: |
Challoh
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