Sunday, December 4, 2011

How much pat haba'ah b'kisnin triggers HaMotzi?

Hi,

We have learned that one who eats פת הבאה בכיסנין pat haba'ah b'kisnin, a type of grain-based bread which is not considered 'normal' bread in the eyes of Jewish law, need not wash beforehand and recite HaMotzi and Birkat haMazon. This may apply to pizza, for example.

However: One who eats a volume of pat haba'ah b'kisnin which is equal to the volume of bread consumed in a normal meal - as determined by the general practice in that society - is required to wash and recite HaMotzi and Birkat haMazon.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:32)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

3 comments:

  1. Hi Rabbi,
    I'm not clear on the last sentence.
    After you have eaten a volume of pat haba'ah b'kisnin equal to the volume of bread consumed in a normal meal you then 1) wash, 2) recite hamotzi, 3) eat more pat haba'ah b'kisnin (or bread), and 4) recite birkat hamazon? What if you are full and do not want to eat more, do you still have to eat more pat haba'ah b'kisnin (or bread) so you can recite hamotzi over something?
    Thank you,
    613commuter.blogspot

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  2. Thanks for asking. The requirement to wash and recite HaMotzi is when intending to eat that amount. One who didn't intend to do so, but then ended up doing so, would wash and recite hamotzi once he changed his mind.

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  3. ... assuming he was still going to eat more.

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