V’sain Tal Umatar - Habit Establishment

QUESTION: Shulchan Aruch writes that if V’sein Tal Umatar was repeated 90 times in one day it can be assumed that a new pattern of habit is established. After that point, a person can presume he said V’sein Tal Umatar even if he has no recollection. Is one permitted to recite V’sein Tal Umatar 90 times on Shabbos? Since this exercise has no benefit for Shabbos per se, and it will be helpful only for a time period after Shabbos, is this a form of hachanah (preparing for after Shabbos)?

ANSWER: One issue that must be considered is whether hachanah only applies to physical actions, or if it applies to speech as well. We can demonstrate that it applies to speech from the following halacha. Shulchan Aruch (OC 416:2) writes that one may not go to the edge of the techum (2000 amos outside of his city) on Shabbos and declare this will be his new residence, to enable walking the next day on Yom Tov an additional two thousand amos. Since this declaration is of no benefit for Shabbos, it is considered to be hachanah. Similarly, poskim write that one should not say on Shabbos, “I am taking a nap, so I can stay up late for the Seder,” as this is hachanah. Thus, it is clear that verbal actions can be considered hachanah. However some poskim suggest that speech is only hachanah when it is in conjunction with an action (e.g. walking to the edge of the techum or taking a nap.) However, speaking words alone without any accompanying action would not be considered hachanah.

The Tzitz Eliezer (19:14) accepts this distinction. In addition, he offers other reasons for leniency: The change in behavior that takes place by reciting V’sein Tal Umatar 90 times is achieved on Shabbos, and it therefore cannot be considered hachanah. Additionally, he reasons that it is possible there will be no benefit derived from saying V’sein Tal Umatar 90 times, as it will only be relevant if he cannot recall what he said in Shmoneh Esrei. Since it is a safek (uncertainty [of]) hachanah, it is permissible.

____________________________________________________

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.