[HANASHIR:5804] Re: B'rich Rachamanya

[Rachel Gurevitz <R.Gurevitz...>]

an extra snippet that might come in useful for explaining the source of
this Grace after meals:

In the Talmud, the Rabbis are discussing, in a situation where you have
just eaten but there are robbers at your door and your life might be in
danger, whether you just leave, or are still obliged to say a Grace
after meals first.  The potted summary of the debate is that you should
say a short prayer, and B'rich Rachamana is designated the shortest
permissable version.  I've not studied the source direct, but no doubt
it goes into the details of why those particular words were selected.

So, as originally intended, it would be a quick sentence before legging
it out the back door!  As, thank G-d, we rarely find ourselves with this
particular justification for saying this form, we don't need to rush it
and, perhaps as a way to acknowledge the fact that those of us in the
USA, UK and many other places can live in freedom, Shefa's version
becomes very fitting - turned into a 2-part round, that can be sung over
several times at leisure.


Rachel Gurevitz

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