Asher Yatzar - Laxatives

QUESTION: If someone took a medicine that will clear out his digestive system and cause him to need the bathroom repeatedly, should he recite the beracha of Asher Yatzar after each time he uses the bathroom, or since he knows he will need to use the bathroom again, should he wait until he finishes and then recite the beracha of Asher Yatzar?

ANSWER: This question is a matter of dispute among poskim. Sefer Halachos Ketanos (1:86) writes that one must wait until he finishes and then recite one beracha of Asher Yatzar. He compares this to one who was seriously ill and although not fully cured begins to feel better. In this case, one does not recite the birkas hagomel (to thank Hashem for being cured) until he is completely healed. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (4:6) and Shulchan Aruch Harav (7:6) follow this ruling as well. However, Maharam Chaviv writes that one must recite the beracha each time he uses the bathroom. He explains that one must give thanks each and every time, because had he been unable to relieve himself, even just once, he would have become ill. The Kaf Ha’Chaim (7:2) adds another reason why one must recite a beracha each time, since one does not know for certain that they will need the bathroom again. The Mishnah Berurah (7:2) writes that the minhag is to recite Asher Yatzar each time, unless immediately upon exiting the bathroom he feels the need to use the bathroom again. 

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