Halacha: What Blessing Do You Recite for a Peach?
Curious about the correct blessings for a peach – both the preliminary and concluding blessings? Here’s everything you need to know, including the guidelines for quantity.
- הידברות
- פורסם כ"ד תשרי התשע"ז
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The blessing for a peach is ha'etz (preliminary blessing)
After eating, the blessing borei nefashot is recited (concluding blessing)
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Guidelines for the quantity required to be obligated in a concluding blessing (from "Daily Halacha" based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l):
For any food a person eats, they must recite a "preliminary blessing," such as the "shehakol" or "ha'etz" blessing. Even if eating only a small amount, a blessing is required if the intent is to eat. (However, if the intent is only to taste the food to adjust its seasoning, no blessing is required for this tasting.) Therefore, even someone chewing flavored gum must recite a blessing due to the enjoyment from its taste, despite swallowing only a small amount. Similarly, anyone drinking should recite a blessing, even if only intending to drink a single drop.
This requirement applies specifically to the preliminary blessing. A concluding blessing is only recited if an "important consumption" occurs, defined as an amount of "k'zayit," which is 27 grams, or "revi'it" for drinks, which is 81 grams.
Furthermore, the eating or drinking must happen within a time frame where the actions are considered continuous. If someone eats an amount equal to "k'zayit" over the course of an entire day, piece by piece, they certainly cannot then recite the Grace After Meals. The entire amount of "k'zayit" must be consumed within the period of "achilat pras," with disputes among authorities regarding this duration—some suggest five minutes, others seven and a half minutes (and additional opinions exist). Therefore, it is advisable to always consume a k'zayit (especially during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to fulfill all opinions.
For the concluding blessing on a drink, one must consume a revi'it of the liquid (81 grams) in one go; if there's a pause between sips, no concluding blessing is recited. Consequently, someone drinking soup with a spoon or hot coffee or tea won't recite a concluding blessing, as they haven’t consumed a revi'it all at once.
