Dirshu Mishnah Berurah

We discuss the Kos shel bracha and who drinks from it and when.

We explore the correct text (and reason for) the 4th bracha of birchat hamazon, hatov v'hamaytiv.

We discuss what to do if you forget to say ratzey in bentching for seuda shelishit. Also, we consider whether we should say ratzey if a Shabbat meal extends into motzey Shabbat.

We discuss what to do if you forget to say Yaaleh V’yavo on Rosh Chodesh.

We discuss how it is possible to fix the insertion of ratzey or yaaleh v’yavo on Shabbat or Yom Tov if a person forgot to say it.

We discuss the 3rd bracha or birchat hamazon, its correct text and the insertion of rotzei and ya'ale v'yavo.

We discuss the importance of mentioning certain phrases in birchat hamazon and also the requirement to answer amen after the 3rd bracha - the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This bracha concludes the 3rd of the biblically ordained brachot.

We discuss the level of obligation on women and children to recite birchat hamazon - whether the obligation is biblical or rabbinic in nature - and the repercussions of this in terms of exempting others in their obligation.

We discuss the importance of saying birchat hamazon out loud as it focusses one's concentration, and whether it is permitted to say it whilst in various degrees of drunkeness.

We discuss how long after one has eaten must one still bentch and also the amount of bread required to be eaten to obligate birchat hamazon.

We discuss under what conditions it is acceptable to say birchat hamazon in a different location from where you ate your meal. We also examine whether you need to return to the original location of eating other foods in order to make their after bracha.

We discuss the requirement to be seated during birchat hamazon and some say for al hamichya and to do so with the same level of reverence one shows during the shemona esrei.

We examine the once prevalent custom for a single person to lead birchat hamozon and for others to listen carefully and answer amen. This has been replaced in our time with each person bentching by themselves.

We discuss the correct holding of the wine cup for bentching and also whether a hat a jacket need to be worn during bentching.

We examine how a cup of wine becomes impaired (pogum) and how to fix it!

We look at alternatives to wine for bentching at the end of the meal and the concept of chamar medina - the principal local drink.

We conclude our discussion of mayim achronim and washing with other liquids (besides water) and turn to the Halacha of saying birchat hamazon over a cup of wine.

We examine an acceptable temperature for mayim achronim, how to wash one's fingers, and when this should be done when eating with a group.

We discuss the care needed in disposal of breadcrumbs following a meal and the start of the chapter explaining the obligation to wash mayim achronim.

We discus having salt and water after a meal and leaving bread on the table after eating.

We continue the discussion of when the meal ends which ends the coverage of initial brachot, and the requirement to bentch. In general, the host determines when the meal concludes.

We discuss actions or words that demonstrate that the meal eating has ended and it is time to make birchat ha'mazon.

We discuss the status of eating fruits outside and whether davenning or sleep constitute an interruption to a meal.

Last time we discussed the view of the Shulchan Aruch on changing location and the need to make brachot on return, we turn to the view of the Ramo who disagrees.

We discuss the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch on whether brachot need to be made when changing location during a meal. We will see next time that the Ramo holds a differing view.