One of the reasons why people do not recite after-blessings is that they do not know the rules regarding these blessings. For instance, they do not know that they are obligated to recite the abbreviated grace after meals, (me’ain shalosh) after eating nourishing [grain-based] items [such as cake and crackers], wine, or after eating fruit from the seven species [grapes, raisins, figs, pomegranates, and olives]. They therefore either to do not recite any after-blessing at all or they recite the Borei Nefashos blessing (“…He creates many souls” etc.), which, in this case, is a blessing recited in vain since it is not the appropriate after-blessing for these types of food. Our Sages have already said that the way to rectify eating without a blessing is to go to a sage that will teach him the laws of blessings (Berachos 35a). In general, this is a great principle for anyone who wants to be a servant of the Almighty — as Jews who are believers in Torah and in all of the words of the Sages, and in reward and punishment — it is befitting to not be embarrassed or ashamed to go to a sage who will teach him and clearly write out for him the text of the blessings and other necessary details. The sage will surely guide him on a good path.
Friday
כ"ד אב התשפ"ו
