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For archives of the halachos of Bein HaMetzorim (The Three weeks and The Nine Days, the period of mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash, which we are currently in until after Tisha B'Av) written last year, please click here.
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1) A food that is eaten for medical reasons, as a cure for an ailment, does not require a Bracha, unless some pleasure is derived from it while eating it.
According to some opinions, if the food is neither good tasting nor bad tasting, it always requires a Bracha. (See Mishna Berura Siman 204:55 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 204:14 in the parenthesis. See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 82)
Similarly, when drinking water, no Bracha is required unless some pleasure is derived (i.e. it is being drunk to satisfy thirst, or a desire to drink). (See Mishna Berura Siman 204:40)
Thus, if drinking water to help swallow a pill or help dislodge something that was stuck in the throat, no Bracha is required, unless also drinking due to thirst.
2) One who drinks water before exercising, or before a fast day, even though he/she isn't thirsty now, a Bracha is required as it's being drunk for pleasure, that will be derived from it later on. (Psak of Rav Shmuel Wosner Shlita. See Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 9 Siman 42 and Vol. 10 Siman 42:12)
Other drinks, however, including sugared water require a Bracha at all times, even if being drunk for a reason other than thirst, as they are always pleasurable to the throat. (Mishna Berura Siman 204:42)
It is questionable if Seltzer requires a Bracha always, even though it's water, due to its carbonation making it a little bit pleasurable to taste, even when not thirsty. (Safek of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, quoted in Sefer Brachos K'Hilchasan page 143)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Does it specifically say in the Torah that during the 3 weeks there should be no parties? Is it really a sin to listen to music?
Answer:
It isn't a Torah prohibition; it was instituted by the Rabbis after the destruction of the temple and it should be taken very seriously. The Talmud (Bava Basra 60b) tells us :All who mourn Jerusalem will merit and see her when she is joyful, and whoeverdoes not mourn Jerusalem will not see see her when she is joyful."
The prohibition isn't the party (even though, those should be avoided too in the 3 weeks), it's the music and the dancing that was forbidden in this time period due to it being a period of mourning for the destruction of the temple. Even an engagement party or a Seudas Mitzvah may bot have music during the three weeks, and surely not a birthday party. (See Mishna Berura Siman 551:16 based on the Magen Avraham).
Live music is surely prohibited, and even recorded music is prohibited. This applies to men and women and even to older children, as this is a national time of mourning. (Ruling of Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal in Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 21:4. See also Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman166 and Vol. 3 Siman 87. See also Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 1 Siman 111 ).
Many authorities even prohibit acapella style music,which is without instruments, rather with sounds made by mouth to mimic instruments. Some authorities are lenient with this kind of recording. But it is best to be stringent if possible. (See Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 8 Siman 127:2, Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 15 Siman33:2. See also Sefer ishei yisroel page 765 who quotes Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita who is stringent. Rav Ovadiya Yoseph Shlita in Shu"t Yechave Da'as Vol. 3 Siman 30 is also stringent)
Keep in mind, that according to the Gemara, it is prohibited to listen to music for pleasure all year round! This is also the opinion of the Bais Yoseph, Rambam, many other Rishonim as well as contemporary Poskim such as Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal. Though we are lenient all year round for various reasons, for these three weeks a year when all Poskim agree that we must be less happy than usual, there is no real heter for listening to music, much less attending a party with live music.
More importantly, The pasuk tells us (Tehilim 137:5 and 6) "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not; if I set not Jerusalemabove my chiefest joy."
As Jews, we must never forget that we are in exile and although we are too weak to mourn properly all year round, these three weeks are important to at least follow the minimal guidelines of mourning instituted by our sages.
May we merit the speedy arrival of mashiach, and the rebuilding of the Bais haMikdash real soon.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
