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1) Small children who do not yet know the entire text of Birchas HaMazon, may be trained to say a small part of each Bracha until they eventually learn how to say the entire text. (Mishna Berura Siman 187:4 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 187:4)
2) According to some Poskim, children who do not yet know the entire text of Birchas HaMazon should say the following abridged version: "Brich Rachmana Elakana Malka D'Alma Marei D'Hai Pita. Brich Rachmana D'Zan Kulah- Blessed is Hashem our G-d, master of the world, creator of this bread, blessed is Hashem who sustains the entire world" (Brought in the Siddur Ya'avetz who says that B'dieved, adults can satisfy their obligation with this Nusach as well, if necessary. See Mishna Berura ibid. and Sharei Tzion 187:6 that this suffices for children until the age of 8)
However, many contemporary Poskim maintain that it is best not to train children in the abridged version, rather let them slowly get used to the regular version, lest they never learn how to bentch properly. (Psak of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach in Halichos Shlomo Chapter 1:8, as well as other Poskim)
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.
I have an excellent question based on today's halacha, an issue that has never sunk into my head because I never understood its application to modern times.
You state that poskim are lenient with washing hands between fish and meat because of a certain danger no longer applicable today.
Yet, mayim acharonim came about as a result of a danger from melach sedomis. Can you tell me why we must continue with mayim acharonim today. I will admit that I do not give much attention to mayim acharonim, in part, because I do not understand the application of melach sedomis to modern day times.
In summary, it seems that we hold on to certain "dangers" from hundreds of years ago, yet we do not hold on to other "dangers" of generations ago. Why the confusion?
Answer:
Yes, seemingly you have a valid question.
However, many of the things that were instituted by Chazal have other, deeper reasons besides the sakana reasons that were given. Sometimes it is a spiritual Sakana (such as Ruach Ra) besides the physical sakana.
Therefore, it isn't up to us to decide which things to hold on to and which things to not abide by anymore. The only ones who can determine this are the Poskim.
The Shulchan Aruch Siman 181:1 clearly states that "Mayim Achronim Chova" that it is a mandatory obligation.
It is something we must all do, even though seemingly the sakana is gone. It was gone in the times of the Shulchan Aruch as well, yet it was determned to still be in effect until today.
The Mishna Berura (Siman 181:22) brings other reasons for doing this besides the melach Sdomis reason.
Only things (like washing between fish and meat) where the Poskim determined it was ONLY necessary due to the sakana, are they able to say that it is no longer necessary.
We, as individuals, may NEVER decide on our own that certain Halachos are not pertinent anymore. We must follow the Shulchan Aruch and the interpretations of our Chachamim, even if we seemingly don't understand their reasoning. If there is ever a question, a Rav must be consulted and relied upon, and never our own logic.
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
