Q. If one accidentally said a wrong bracha and he wants to fix it, but he is not sure if it is within toch k'dei dibbur, or it's too late, what should he do?
Can someone say the correct bracha using the name Rachmana instead?
A. On question 803 we wrote: "Poskim disagree if when someone is in doubt if he has to recite a brocho or no, (He may not remember if already said or no, or if is in doubt if he ate the right amount) if one should recite the blessing in Aramaic or any other language.
Some (Maharsham 1: 205, Rav Poalim O.H. 3: 7, Pnei Yehoshua – Brochos 12a) maintain that one may recite and there is no prohibition on mentioning Hashem’s name in vain. Aruch Hashulachan ( O.H. 202: 3) adds that one should then keep in his mind that if he is liable to recite the brocho, his intent is so. If not it is to be only a praise.
However Rabi Akiva Eiger zt”l (M. K. 25) maintains that since for the purpose of oaths and promises, Hashem’s names in other languages are valid, one equally transgresses, if they are said in vain. Similar opinions are the Ran in beginning of Nedarim, Chavas Daas (Y.D. 110, Emek Hashaila (Yisro Sheilta 53: 2), Kaf Hachaim (167: 70), Pischei Teshuva (Y.D. 328, 1), Igrois Moshe (O.H. 4: 40: 27)
There are disagreements as to what the opinion of the Chasam Sofer is (See Maharam Shick – Sefer Hamitzvos 69, Shem Mishimon Y.D. 24).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that one should not say the full brocho in Aramaic or other languages when in doubt if he recited a brocho after eating. However, one may recite it without mentioning the Rach-mana name, but he should include Malka Dealma (King of the Universe) in the blessing.
The Rov mentioned that one may construct a brocho using the posuk we recite in Vaiborech Dovid, during Shacharis; "Boruch Ato Hashem Elokei Yisroel Ovinu, Meolom Vead Olom." Although, one is not yotze using this form, as it is not the established nusach established by our sages for brochos; after the fact it is a shevach or praise to Hashem.
The Rov added that in our present case, one should eat a bit of the food in question so the brocho recited should not be lebatalah or in vain. For continuing eating, he may wait until he becomes liable by hesech hadaas to a new brocho or finds a product with the same required brocho that was not on location before.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
