#168: The Berachah of Hagefen

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. As mentioned previously, the first obligatory stage of Havdalah is reciting the berachah of “Borei Pri Hagafen”. While reciting the berachah, the one making Havdalah should hold the cup of wine or grape juice in his or her strong hand while holding the besamim in the weaker hand (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 183:5, 296:6).
  2. Everyone present should listen carefully to the berachah of Borei Pri Hagafen and respond “Amen” (this applies to all berachot of Havdalah). One who could not hear the berachah or any part of it has still fulfilled the mitzvah of Havdalah but may not drink from the wine or grape juice without reciting another berachah on it (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 60:30).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.