העורך Editor

More Is Less: How Later Additions to Our Berachos Cause Them to be Omitted

A great Parsha sheet we’ve quoted in the past, “Ner Leshulchan Shabbat”, quotes Rabbi Aaron Leib Steinman complaining the extra Tanach verses added to the “Bedtime Shema” make it too onerous, so many Jews don’t recite it at all. The pesukim mentioned in the Gemara for protection suffice, Rabbi Steinman concluded.

Why, we can also add other well-intentioned additions causing the same effect, at least to some degree. Such as in Tefillas Haderech, bentching after meals, and more. If Birkas Hachamah (assuming it should be said at all) wasn’t so rare, the same thing would happen there, too.

Don’t you think the Chasam Sofer, Chida, et alii could have predicted this result?!

So, you deny the facts?

I Am NOT Inspired At All!

I heard a story about Rabbi Yisrael Salanter.

He was to be Shliach Tzibbur on Yom Kippur (no, not that story!). Then he realized he had forgotten his Tallis at home, so he requested someone go get it for him before he starts. One of the congregants remarked that a Tallis was not obligatory, and the community is waiting, so he should start praying first, and when it arrives, put on the Tallis then.

Answered Rabbi Salanter: We no longer have the Pnimiyus. Should we lose the Chitzoniyus, as well?!

Assuming the story is even true…