Q. On question 3986 you mentioned the minhag of many Sepharadim to say 'Lechaim' before the bracha of Bore P'ri Hagefen when reciting Kiddush. Does not the Halacha dictate not to bless people with Lechaim before reciting the bracha to Hashem for the wine or liquor?
A. People indeed recite the brocho to Hashem first, then drink some wine or liquor and proceed to bless the other with 'Lechaim'.
(See Rabbenu Moshe Soffer p. 436, that this is the Chasam Sofer Psak also). Pardes Hamelech (p. 402) quoting Horav Chaim of Tzanz zt'l mentions as a source the brochos given by Yitzchok Ovinu to his son Yaakov, after drinking some wine.
See also La'asos Es Hashabbos (p. 285), that any other brocho to Hashem should be said before wishing Lechaim to others.
However, Kiddush may be different since 'Vaichulu' was already recited first, amply mentioning Hashem's creation.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu.
Important Numbers
