Pat haba'ah b'kisnin

Hi,

Eating bread made from the five grains (enumerated in yesterday's email) requires hand-washing. However, some breads do not require hand-washing, because they are not normally used as the centerpiece of a meal. We call these breads “פת הבאה בכיסנין pat habaah b'kisnin.”

There is some debate as to what qualifies as pat habaah b'kisnin. The Shulchan Aruch brings three possibilities:

1. Bread made of dough filled with honey, sugar, nuts and similar items. (Some suggest that raisin challah with too many raisins might enter this category.)

2. Dough kneaded with honey, milk, oil or spices, such that they impact the ultimate taste.

3. Dry biscuits that are designed for chewing rather than the basis for a meal.

In practice, we consider all of these to be pat habaah b'kisnin.

One who establishes a meal using any of these pseudo-breads is obligated to wash beforehand.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 158:1 and 168:7-8; Mishneh Berurah 158:7-8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai