Halacha: What Blessing Do We Say on Rice?
Curious about the blessings for rice? Discover the appropriate blessings before and after consuming rice, along with an explanation of eating quantities.
- הידברות
- פורסם כ"ד תשרי התשע"ז
#VALUE!
The first blessing said on rice is 'Mezonot' (first blessing)
After eating, the blessing is 'Borei Nefashot' (last blessing)
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The amount of food required to obligate a final blessing (from "Daily Halacha" by the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory):
For everything a person eats, a "first blessing" is required, such as the blessings "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz." Even if one eats only a small amount of the food, they must bless it, as long as they intend to eat it. (However, if one only tastes the food to adjust seasoning, no blessing is recited at all). Therefore, someone chewing flavored gum, even if they swallow only a little, is still required to bless due to the enjoyment of the gum's flavor. Similarly, a person intending to drink something must bless, even for just a single drop of that drink.
However, this applies only to the first blessing. The last blessing is recited only when one has a "significant eating," defined as an amount of "Kazayit," which is twenty-seven grams, and for drinking, the amount is a "Revi'it," which is eighty-one grams.
Moreover, the eating or drinking must be completed within a time frame that allows them to be combined. If a person eats a "Kazayit" of bread throughout an entire day, piece by piece, they certainly cannot recite the grace after meals. Instead, the "Kazayit" must be eaten within "Achilat Pras," a time period where there's a debate: some say it's five minutes, others say approximately seven and a half minutes (and there are other opinions too). Therefore, it's advisable to always eat a "Kazayit," especially during Shabbat meals, within four and a half minutes to fulfill all views.
Regarding the last blessing after consuming drinks, a "Revi'it" of the drink (which is eighty-one grams) should be consumed at once. If there is a pause between sips, no final blessing is made at all. Therefore, if one drinks soup with a spoon, the final blessing is not recited because they haven't drunk a "Revi'it" at once. Similarly, when drinking hot coffee or tea, a final blessing is not made because it's not possible to drink it all at once.
