Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email - 12 Adar 1/Feb 13

 

If one forgot Al Hanisim in Birchas Hamozon, must he bentch again? On Purim, Al Hanisim is added to the second brocha of Birchas Hamozon. As a rule, if one forgets an addition to Birchas Hamozon (e.g. Retzei or Ya’aleh V’yavo), bentching is only repeated if the meal was obligatory. Since there is an obligation to eat one meal on Purim day, some Achronim argue that if a person forgot Al Hanisim after his first meal on Purim day, he needs to go back. Others argue that the rules for Al Hanisim during Birchas Hamozon cannot be more stringent than those for Al Hanisim during tefilah, where it is does not have to be repeated if it is forgotten. In addition, some argue that it is not obligatory to eat bread for the Purim seudah. A third argument is that the concept of adding a special praise to Birchas Hamozon is only a custom and not an absolute obligation. [שו"ע תרצה, ג, ומשנ"ב טו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 29-28] Is there another place to recite Al Hanisim in Birchas Hamozon? Since generally a brocha is not recited when it is unclear whether one is necessary, a person should not repeat Birchas Hamozon in cases subject to the above-mentioned disagreement. If one realized the omission prior to saying Hashem’s name at the end of the brocha, he should go back. If the omission was only realized after the brocha was completed, one can add a special Harachamon which includes Biymei Mordechai. All opinions agree that if one forgot Al Hanisim during either the night meal or the second meal of the day, he does not have to go back. [משנ"ב תרצה, טו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 29 ;וראה עוד במקורות] Can the Purim meal continue into Friday night? If a person mistakenly said Al Hanisim at the point where Ya’aleh V’yavo is usually said, it is not considered a hefsek and he does not have to repeat Birchas Hamozon. A similar halacha applies if one mistakenly added Al Hanisim to Birchas M’ein Shalosh. A person who began his meal by day should add Al Hanisim even if he only bentches after nightfall. If he has already davened Ma’ariv, he should not say Al Hanisim. If Purim falls on Friday and he will be bentching once it is already Shabbos, he should only add Retzei and not Al Hanisim. If his meal continues into Friday night, he must pause his meal, cover the bread and recite Kiddush. [שו"ע תרצה, ג, ומשנ"ב טו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 27 ,29 ו־30] All credit goes to Dirshu | 911 County Line Rd. , Suite 205, Lakewood, NJ 08701