Question:Is one supposed to stand while reciting birkas hamitzvos? Discussion: There are various opinions about this in the Poskim: 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 [which discusses a lady being mafrish challah while sitting] that there is no requirement to stand while reciting birkas 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”. It is clear from the Magen Avraham that except for hafroshas challah and shechita, one is supposed to stand for all birkas hamitzvos. This also appears to be the opinion of the Beis Yosef, who in the beginning of this Siman quotes the Orchos Chayim who quotes a Yerushalmi that says that “all brochos are recited while standing” and the Orchos Chayim explains that the Yerushalmi is referring to birkas hamitzvos specifically (as opposed to birkos hanehenin). The Mishna Berura (Siman 8 s.k. 2) also clearly rules that all birkos hamitzvos should be recited while standing, and his source is the aforementioned Beis Yosef. 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 birkas hamitzvos. We find in various Rishonim and Acharonim different opinions as to when there is an obligation to stand for birkos hamitzvos and when there is no obligation: The Yeshu’os Ya’akov (quoted by the Pischei Teshuva Yoreh De’ah Siman 328 s.k. 2) maintains that when it is possible to say the brocho while standing one is obligated to stand for the brocho, and only by a specific situation of hafroshas challah (Yoreh De’ah Siman 328 Se’if 1) where the person being mafrish challah is not adequately dressed and therefore has to sit down while reciting the brocho is it acceptable to sit while reciting birkas hamitzvos. The Sefer Ho’eshkol (Hilchos Birchos Hodo’oh) discusses if birkas hamitzvos need to be recited while standing and writes that birkas hamitzvos that have no [associated] hano’oh require standing, but birkas hamitzvos that have associated hano’oh, for example matzoh, succah, kiddush, hamotzi and birkas hamozon we have never seen being recited while standing. 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 birkas 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, milah) require a brocho while standing, and regarding mitzvos that are performed even while sitting (e.g. limmud hatorah, achilas matzoh) the birkas hamitzvos can be performed while sitting as well. Summary: We have seen various opinions regarding whether one is obligated to stand while reciting birkas hamitzvos: |
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