Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

The Beracha of Asher Yasar after Using the Bathroom


Listen Later

The Shulhan Aruch, in Siman 6, delineates the Halachot of "Asher Yasar"-the Beracha recited after using the facilities. The Shulhan Aruch, which as a rule is a code of law, makes a rare exception and not only presents the Halachot of the Beracha, but also offers interpretations of its text as well. This indicates that the Beracha is of supreme importance, and Maran wanted to insure that the reader would also recite it with proper Kavana. Maran offers three interpretations of the first phrase of the Beracha: "Asher Yasar Et Ha'Adam B'Hochma-Who created humans with wisdom." First, "B'Hochma-With Wisdom" connotes that Hashem made the human body in a wondrous way, which he explains with the analogy of a balloon, which only holds the air inside if it remains whole. If punctured, the balloon loses its air. Yet the human body contains air in the lungs, despite the many holes in the body. This is the magical wisdom and the wonder of Hashem's creation, which we see every day, but rarely pay attention to. The second interpretation is that "wisdom" refers to wise sequence in which Hashem created man. First he created the world, with the vegetation and animal to serve as a food chain for humans, and only once the "table was set" did he create man, at the end of the sixth day. The third interpretation of the Shulhan Aruch is that the wisdom in the creation of man refers to the amazing human biology. From the respiratory system to the neurological system to the digestive system-they are all so intricate and detailed. Professors of biology can devote their entire lives just to studying one specific system. One doctor of pediatric neurology once said that he had studied the brain for over fifty years, and science has only barely scratched the surface of the unknown potential of the brain. This is the praise of the Asher Yasar. There is additional interpretation brought by Rabbi Mordechai HaCohen of Tsfat, one of the Arizal's disciples. One of the greatest spiritual and moral challenges of the human being is overcoming his ego. When untamed, the ego leads to arrogance and promotes the Yesser HaRah. On the other hand, humility leads to the greatest accomplishments, for example, Moshe Rabbenu, was the humblest of all men. Moshe said about himself, "Va'Anachnu Mah? -What are we worth, when compared to God?" The Beracha of "Asher Yasar" enables one to humble himself, because it forces him to contemplate his lowly nature as demonstrated by the fact that he can't go more than a few hours without having to relieve himself. When considering that he has all these wastes in his body that must be expelled, how arrogant can he become, knowing his limitations? Thus, the Hochmah-wisdom is to be humble, as conveyed by the word "Hochmah" whose letters can be rearranged to spell "Koach Mah"-meaning, "What power do I have?" just as Moshe said "Va'Anachnu Mah"- "what are worth?"
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. MansourBy Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

70 ratings


More shows like Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

View all
Daily Gemara Podcast - Daf Yomi By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour by Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

Daily Gemara Podcast - Daf Yomi By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

77 Listeners

The Office of Rabbi Sacks by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

The Office of Rabbi Sacks

529 Listeners

Halacha Headlines by Halacha Headlines

Halacha Headlines

483 Listeners

Orthodox Conundrum by Scott Kahn

Orthodox Conundrum

208 Listeners

Jewish History Soundbites by Yehuda Geberer

Jewish History Soundbites

445 Listeners

Daily Halacha with Rabbi Raymond Haber by Rabbi Raymond Haber

Daily Halacha with Rabbi Raymond Haber

4 Listeners

The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast by Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz

The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

222 Listeners

Meaningful People by Meaningful Minute

Meaningful People

1,925 Listeners

From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein by Rivkah and Eda

From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein

245 Listeners

18Forty Podcast by 18Forty

18Forty Podcast

641 Listeners

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor by Ark Media

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

2,844 Listeners

Kosher Money by Living Lchaim

Kosher Money

794 Listeners

AND HERE’S MODI by Modi

AND HERE’S MODI

222 Listeners

Gedale Fenster - Podcast by Gedale Fenster - Podcast

Gedale Fenster - Podcast

337 Listeners

Inspiration for the Nation with Yaakov Langer by Living Lchaim

Inspiration for the Nation with Yaakov Langer

1,019 Listeners