[Avodah] shelo asani isha

[Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer]

On 8/21/2011 12:02 AM, Esther and Aryeh Frimer wrote:
>R. Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer writes (Aug 18th 2011): "In theory, I
>have no problem with the elimination of Shelo asani ishah. It is a
>birchas hodo'oh, if you don't feel thankful, don't say it."
>
>However, how do you resolve the Talmud's statement in Menahot 43b:
>"Haya Rabbi Meir omer (Rabbi Meir was wont to say): Hayav adam levarekh
>shalosh berakhot bekhol yom (One is obligated to recite three
>benedictions daily) ... shelo asani isha."

The adam gives it away: A woman is included in adam, yet cannot recite
one of these berachos. A slave is included in adam, yet cannot recite
one of these berachos. A ger tzedek is included in adam, yet cannot
recite one of these berachos. R' Meir means that a person to whom these
berachos are relevant must recite the relevant ones. Relevance for this
kind of brachah includes feeling the sense of hoda'ah it implies.

KT,
YGB