This question revolves around the dispute presented in the last Halacha Yomis: Is the
bracha of
Ha’mapil a
birchas hanehenin (a
bracha on the pleasure of sleeping) or a
birchas hashevach (a
bracha praising Hashem for the phenomenon of sleep). If it is a
birchas hanehenin, talking would be a
hefsek (an interruption) between the
bracha and sleeping, and would not be permitted. However, if it is a
birchas hashevach, the
bracha would not be a
hefsek because it relates to universal sleep and not the personal sleep of the individual. The Mishnah Berurah (239:4) (who considers
Ha’mapil a
birchas hanehenin, as previously noted) writes that one may not recite a
bracha of
shehakol on water after
Ha’mapil. Clearly, the Mishna Berura would consider any conversation to be a
hefsek. It is recorded (Dinim V’Hanagos 8:8) that the Chazon Ish who concurred with the Mishna Berura’s categorization of
Ha’mapail as a
birchas hanehenin) would not recite the
bracha of
Asher Yatzar when using the bathroom after saying
Hamapil. On the other hand, the Be’er Moshe (1:63)(who considers
Hamapil a
birchas shevach) writes that although one should be careful not to speak after reciting the
bracha of
Ha’mapil, if there is an important matter that must be discussed, or certainly to show proper honor to a parent, one is permitted to speak. (To Be Continued...)
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