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Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKIN
Question: Answer: It is true that the blessing "ha-tov ve-ha-metiv" is a more esteemed blessing; any happy event that brings joy to a number of people requires that this blessing be recited. According to the literal text of the Shulhan Arukh, one should recite the blessing of "she-hehiyanu" - or, more accurately, "ha-tov ve-ha-metiv" - when there is a communal joyous event, which applies in the case of the birth of a son, but not the birth of a daughter. I believe that the reason for this is as follows: In years gone by, it was usually impossible to support an entire family, and therefore boys were commonly sent out to work at a young age. Obviously, with daughters the situation was more complicated, since a girl could not be sent into a stranger's home for fear of sexual exploitation. Therefore the birth of a daughter represented a financial burden that was truly difficult for many parents to bear, and hence the difference in the blessing recited at birth. Today, thank G-d, the situation is different. When my own eldest daughter was born I asked my Rabbi and teacher, Rav Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, what I should do. He told me that since I was completely joyful, I should recite precisely the same blessing as I would over the birth of a son. And this, I believe, should become the general custom. If you have a question for Q & A, send it to ots@ohrtorahstone.org.il . We cannot guarantee that all questions received will be answered in this column.
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