Introduction
A curious topic that occurs in the context of Jewish drinking is the blessing to be said over additional wine – HaTov VeHaMeitiv (ברכת הטוב והמטיב) – when is it supposed to be recited? Are there certain parameters when and when not to recite this blessing? In the 197th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show, Rabbi Drew Kaplan and Rabbi David Fried explore what the medieval normative rabbinic authorities (Rishonim (ראשונים)) wrote about this topic.
Biography of Guest
Rabbi Fried teaches Judaic Studies at the Upper School of The Ramaz School. He is also an editor and frequent contributor at The Lehrhaus. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Molly and their three sons, Elchanan, Saadia, and Aharon. He earned his rabbinic ordination from YCT Rabbinical School. Amongst his six other appearances on The Jewish Drinking Show, two of them have also been on the Rishonim, Rishonim on Purim-Drunkenness and, most recently, Rishonim on The Great Sanctification.
Episode
In addition to being available below in video format, the episode is also available in podcast format on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you prefer listening to podcasts:
Time Stamps
0:00 Welcome
0:38 Introduction to the guest (Rabbi David Fried)
1:18 Contextual Overview of the Rishonim
2:48 Talmudic Background on the topic, including the Talmudic text on Berakhot 59b (אמר רב יוסף בר אבא אמר רב אף על פי שאמרו שנוי יין א”צ לברך אבל מברך הטוב והמטיב (Printed editions, however, show אמר רבי יוסף בר אבא אמר רבי יוחנן))
4:09 Introduction of the Topic
4:35 Central discussion point: Quantity or Quantity and Quality?
11:53 What to do with the sharing in the Yerushalmi that Rabbi would make this blessing every single time he opened a new barrel?
16:38 Just for wine? What about beer, bread, or meat?
23:15 Since it requires others, may one bless while drinking wine on one’s own?
25:48 What about order of selecting the wine?
31:29 Saying Blessing for a Group?
36:10 Miscellaneous Other Items
43:11 Wrapping-up
44:10 L’chaim
