What Is an 'Unnecessary' Blessing?

Rabbi Israel Salanter taught that one should not say that Hashem sends "bad" events to people, even to prompt them to correct their ways. Rather, one should say that Hashem sends "bitter" events.

Medicines that heal are usually bitter, and though we do not enjoy their taste, we understand that taking them is sometimes necessary. Similarly, Hashem sometimes sends us bitter medicine to inspire us to return to Him. The wise person will be happy to take even bitter medicine, as he knows it will heal his soul.

(Adapted from "Darchei Mussar" by Rabbi Yaakov Neiman)

Halachot according to the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

Avoiding making unnecessary blessings

It is forbidden for a person to create a situation in which they recite a blessing that they have no obligation to recite. An example would be to recite the Birkat Hamazon (Grace after Meals) and then make the Shehakol blessing on a glass of water immediately after, because the water could have been drunk (and one intended to drink it) before reciting the Birkat Hamazon and concluding the meal.

A person who recites an unnecessary blessing is taking Hashem's name in vain, which is similar to swearing falsely, and it is forbidden to answer Amen afterward.

If one made a mistake with an unnecessary blessing, what can be done?

If someone made a mistake and recited a blessing that was unnecessary, they should immediately say: "Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever" for having uttered Hashem's name in vain.

This applies if, for example, one made a blessing over a fruit and forgot that just a short while ago, they made the same blessing over a different fruit. If someone took a fruit to eat and made the blessing, but then dropped it before taking a bite and it fell into the dirt and couldn't be eaten, they should also say: "Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever."

If someone starts to make a blessing and says, "Baruch Atah Hashem" and then remembers that they already made a blessing, they should continue with, "lamdeini chukecha" because this is a verse in the Torah and therefore the person will not have made an unnecessary blessing.