{"id":5794,"date":"2011-03-16T21:00:31","date_gmt":"2011-03-16T19:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=5794"},"modified":"2021-03-22T13:37:11","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T11:37:11","slug":"04-16-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/04-16-21\/","title":{"rendered":"21.\u00a0The Laws of the Second and Fourth Cups"},"content":{"rendered":"
The only significant practical difference between communal customs regarding the laws of the Seder is the question of whether to recite \u201cha-gefen<\/strong>\u201d over the second and fourth cups.<\/p>\n Many Rishonim maintain that \u201cha-gefen\u201d<\/strong> must be recited over each of the four cups, even though our attention is not diverted from one cup to the next, because each cup is a mitzva in its own right. This is the opinion of R. Natronai Gaon, R. Amram Gaon, Rif,<\/strong> Rambam, Maharitz, and Rema, and it is the practice of Ashkenazim and of Yemeni Jews who follow Rambam.<\/p>\n However, Rosh maintains that \u201cha-gefen\u201d<\/strong> must only be recited before the first and third cups. The berakha<\/strong> over the first cup covers the second cup because there is nothing between them to divert our attention. We recite a berakha<\/strong> over the third cup because it follows Birkat<\/strong> Ha-mazon<\/strong> and a berakha<\/strong> is always recited over wine we drink after Birkat<\/strong> Ha-mazon<\/strong>, even if \u201cha-gefen\u201d<\/strong> was recited earlier in the meal, because Birkat<\/strong> Ha-mazon<\/strong> serves as a berakha a\u1e25arona<\/strong> for the wine one drinks during the meal. The berakha<\/strong> over the third cup covers the fourth cup as well. R. Yona and Rashba also maintain that \u201cha-gefen\u201d<\/strong> is recited over the first and third cups only. SA rules accordingly, and this is the Sephardic custom.<\/p>\n There are also differing opinions among Rishonim regarding the berakha a\u1e25arona<\/strong> over the wine. In practice, however, there is a consensus not to recite a berakha<\/strong> a\u1e25arona <\/strong>after each cup of wine. Rather, Birkat<\/strong> Ha-mazon<\/strong> covers the first two cups, and the berakha a\u1e25arona <\/strong>(\u201cal ha-gefen<\/strong>\u201d) recited after the fourth cup covers both the third and fourth cups.[18]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n