COVID-19 and 100 Brachos a Day

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

It is one of those things, where the Midrash is more famous than the Gemorah.

The Midrash  on Parshas Korach (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:17) tells us that in the time of Dovid HaMelech, 100 people began dying every day due to some sort of epidemic. Dovid HaMelech knew that the cause was on account of a spiritual deficit.  But what could it be?  Ultimately, he realized that it was on account of a lack of Yiras Shamayim.  He and Chazal, instituted the antidote.  To counteract the deficit, Klal Yisroel would have to recite 100 blessings a day.  In other words, according to my understanding of the explanation given to me by Rav Dovid Kviat zt”l, the recitation of Hashem’s Name in this context – ups our Yiras Shamayim.  Doing so 100 times a day would have an effect.  Once this happened, the epidemic stopped.  The Tur (Siman 46) also quotes this in the name of Rav Nutronai Gaon.

SHOULDN’T WE BE MORE CAREFUL?

So shouldn’t we be more careful in this area now that we have COVID-19 – a major pandemic?  Let’s see if the question can be presented to Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, but in the meantime, let’s explore the topic some more.

The less famous Gemorah (Menachos 43b) tells us that in Dvarim 10:12, Moshe Rabbeinu tells Klal Yisroel: “What (mah) does Hashem ask of you?” The Gemorah provides a tradition that explains that the word mah can be read as me’ah – 100. This either references or alludes to the obligation of reciting 100 brachos a day.

100 BRACHOS ON WEEKDAYS

Generally speaking, the weekday Tefilos get us pretty close to the number.  How so?

• The weekday shmoneh esrehs bring us to 19 times 3 = 57.
• The Maariv pre-Shma and post-Shma brachos (2 each) bring us to 61.
• HaMapil brings it up to 62.
• Al Netilas Yadayim, Asher Yatzar, Elokai Neshama and Birchas HaTorah (2) bring us to 67.
• Talis and Tefillin add another 3 for Ashkenazim and 2 for Sefardim bringing us to 70 (or 69).
• Birchas HaShachar bring us up another 15 to 85 (or 84).
• Psukei D’Zimra bring us up another 2- so its 87 or 86.
• The other 3 Krias Shma brachos bring us to 90 or 89.

Still, we need to catch up.

• For that we have the R.A.A. Brachos. (Rishona, Acharona, and Asher Yatzar).  In other words, the pre-eating brachos, post-eating brachos, and or the asher yatzars bring us up to 100.

On Shabbos, we only recite 7 brachos in Shmoneh Esreh – not 19 that’s 36 (12 times 3) less brachos.  So let’s take our 90 and subtract 36 and we are left with 54.  But we do get to add some:

• Friday night Kiddush and hagafen= 54+2=56
• Washing and HaMotzi (times 3) which equals 6=62
• Another 12 for Bentching (3 Torah brachos and 1 because of Beitar times 3) 74
• Another 7 for Mussaf = 81

So on Shabbos, we need to make up another 19.  Not so simple to do with the R.A.A. but we do it, nonetheless.  Interestingly enough, the topic of 100 brachos is mentioned 3 times in Shulchan Aruch: OC 46:3, OC 284:3 and OC 290:1.

For now, however, we have some 5 questions that pertain to 100 Brachos.  We will try to pose these questions to Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita if we can.  If answers are received then b’ezras hashem, the headline will be updated with the word “updated.”

1. In light of the fact that it came on account of a pandemic, is this something to be more careful about especially during COVID?
2. Is there any inyan at all for a woman or for a Bais Yaakov girl to try for the 100 brachos as well?
3. It is winter-time, and I davened Mincha already and plan to Daven Maariv late at night. I work until 5:00 PM and I didn’t make enough brachos.  Should I take off time now from my employer to get foods and make the brachos if I am only doing it for me’ah brachos?  Does it make a difference if the employer is a frum yid or a goy or a non-frum yid?
4. What if a person is a teacher or a tutor and the loss of time can never be made up because one is teaching many students?
5. If, due to an emergency, one only got up to 94 and cannot get up to 100, should he try for 95 or it wouldn’t matter?

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