How much bread?

Hi,

In order for one's hamotzi on bread to cover the blessings for other food he eats in that meal, one must eat at least an olive-sized amount of bread, and during a span of only a few minutes. Other foods do not combine with the bread to reach that threshold.

The same standard applies in terms of birkat hamazon - other foods do not combine with the bread to trigger an obligation to recite birkat hamazon.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:144)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Berachah on a slider

Hi,

What is the appropriate berachah for a slider eaten as an hors d'oeuvre?

If the dough used to make the bun is kneaded with water, then the correct berachot are hamotzi and birkat hamazon, regardless of the temporary nature of the snack. One who will not eat an egg-sized quantity of bread should not recite "al netilat yadayim" when washing.

If the dough used to make the bun is kneaded primarily with pure fruit juice rather than water, and the flavour of the juice can be tasted in the bun, and one eats this only as a snack, then the berachah beforehand is mezonot, and the berachah afterward is al hamichyah. It may be contended that one should also recite separate berachot for the patty, because the patty is not considered an accessory for the bun.

(Berachos 42a; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 168:7; Shulchan Aruch haRav 168:11; Mishneh Berurah 158:10, 168:33; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 168:24; Shevet haLevi 8:32; Orchos Rabbeinu 59; Piskei Teshuvos 168:10)

Have a great day,

Mordechai 

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

The berachah on pat haba'ah b'kisnin if one changes his mind

Hi,

One who begins a meal of pat haba'ah b'kisnin planning to eat a full meal recites the berachah of hamotzi before eating.

If one intended to eat a full meal, recited hamotzi, began eating, and then decided to eat less, turning the meal into a snack, his original hamotzi suffices; he does not now recite a borei minei mezonot.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:54)

[Rav Moshe does not discuss whether a berachah would be necessary for other items, such as beverages, consumed with that pat haba'ah b'kisnin. I am uncertain.]

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A prayer before eating bread

Hi,

One may not add prayers after washing for bread and before the "HaMotzi", even if those prayers relate to the meal itself. At best this is an interruption between washing and HaMotzi, and at worst, if the prayer is intended to be a regular service, it is also a violation of "Bal Tosif", the prohibition against adding regular prayer.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:48)

Have a great day,
Mordechai