Q. One who must continue to take medications on a fast day since he suffers from a chronic condition and the pills must be taken with water. Does he make a bracha on the water on that day since he much enjoys the water on a Taanis?
A. See question above. It would seem that although normally when taking pills one does not recite a brocho on the water, since it is being used just for swallowing the pills or protecting the stomach, as opposed to this case when one is thirsty and vastly enjoys the liquid, therefore one should recite the blessing.
Some Rabbis further argued that since we also rule that if someone unintentionally ate a tasty prohibited food he had no intention of consuming, he is liable to bring an offering, since we rule that 'Hamisassek Bechalovim' or one that unintentionally eats a savory food, the good flavor and pleasure create intention, therefore, a brocho should be recited on the water in our case.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that no brocho is recited, since his intention is clear. He would not be drinking the water if he didn't have to take the medicine.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
Important Numbers
