QUESTION: Does one recite a beracha on shiluach haken?

ANSWER: There is a difference of opinion among Rishonim as to whether a beracha is recited on the mitzvah of shiluach haken. The Raavad (Tamim Dei’im 179) maintains that a beracha is said. However, the Rashba (Teshuvos 1:18; cf. 3:283) disagrees. The Rashba compares taking the mother with the intent to send her away to the mitzvah of returning a stolen object—just as one who steals must return what he stole, one who has violated the prohibition of taking the mother bird must send it away—and therefore the Rashba writes that it is inappropriate to recite a beracha. There is also concern that the bird might fly away while one is saying the beracha, or that the eggs might not be viable, and it will be a beracha le’vatala (in vain). The Aruch Hashulchan held that a beracha should be recited, but the consensus of modern-day poskim is that a beracha should not be said because of the various concerns (Sefer Shalei’ach Teshalach, p. 47). The Beis Lechem Yehuda recommends that one recite the beracha without G-d’s name.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.