Brachos 35- Nusach of Brachos, Why make Brachos, Specialty of Grapes, Go to Work & Torah, Oil - a podcast by Eran Netkin

1. ראשונה ברכה is based on reason
After concluding that there is no Torah source for the concept of a ראשונה ברכה) blessing before
eating), the Gemara teaches that the obligation to do so is based on reason:
benefit derive to person a for forbidden is It – אסור לו לאדם שיהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה -
from this world without first reciting a blessing.
- Since one derives pleasure from the world, he should thank the Creator of those pleasures.
The Gemara lists implications of eating without a berachah:
first without world the from benefit derives Whoever – כל הנהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה מעל -
reciting a berachah has committed an act of me’ilah (misappropriation of Temple property).
from benefit derives Whoever - כל הנהנה מן העולם הזה בלא ברכה כאילו גוזל להקבה וכנסת ישראל -
the world without first reciting a berachah is regarded as if he robs from Hashem and the Assembly
of Israel.
ואספת דגנך .2
There is a machlokes over how to understand the words in Krias Shema, דגנך ואספת ,you shall
gather in your grain:
- R’ Yishmael understands it as a general directive that Torah study should be combined with
earning a living.
- R’ Shimon bar Yochai argues that preoccupation with earning a living would leave no time for
Torah study, so he interprets the verse as referring to a time when the nation does not fulfill
Hashem’s will. At such a time, they will not only have to do their own work, gathering their own
grain, but even have to do the work of others. But when they do fulfill Hashem’s will, the work of
gathering in their grain will be done for them by others.
3. Why wine has a special beracha
The Gemara concludes that the reason that wine—unlike olive oil—merits having a unique
berachah of its own (הגפן ,)is because wine satiates (סעיד (and olive oil does not.
Siman – Children’s choir singing La La La
The children’s choir at the Berachos Party sang the Berachah Rishonah song for wine, while the
darling little kids on stage pretended to harvest wheat.
Key Words: Berachah Rishonah, wine, harvest

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