Halacha: What Blessing Do You Say on Eggplant?
Want to know the correct blessings before and after eating eggplant? All the information is here, including details on the required amount for blessings.
- הידברות
- פורסם ה' חשון התשע"ז
#VALUE!
On eggplant, you say ‘HaAdama’ (the first blessing)
And after eating, you say 'Borei Nefashot' (the after-blessing)
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The amount eaten to necessitate an after-blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory):
On everything a person eats, they must say a "first blessing", such as the blessing "Shehakol" or "HaEtz". Even if consuming only a small amount of the food, one must pronounce a blessing, provided the intention is for eating. (However, if the intention is merely to taste the food to adjust seasoning, no blessing is recited). Therefore, someone chewing flavored chewing gum, even if swallowing only a very little of it, is still obligated to bless for the pleasure of its taste. Similarly, for any beverage, a blessing is needed even when drinking only a single drop.
However, this is specifically regarding the first blessing. The after-blessing is recited only when a person consumes a "significant amount", which is defined as a measure of a "kazayit", approximately twenty-seven grams, and for drinking, the measure is "revi'it", which is eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a certain timeframe for them to combine. If a person eats a "kazayit" of bread throughout the entire day, piece by piece, they cannot say the Grace After Meals. The consumption of a "kazayit" must be within the time of "achilat pras", and scholars differ on this timeframe, with some saying five minutes and others suggesting around seven and a half minutes (there are other opinions too). Therefore, it is always advisable to eat a kazayit (especially during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to fulfill all opinions.
For the after-blessing on drinks, one needs to drink a revi'it of the beverage (which is eighty-one grams) in one go. If there is a pause between sips, no after-blessing is said. Therefore, someone sipping soup with a spoon does not say an after-blessing on it, as they have not consumed a revi'it at once. Similarly, drinking hot coffee or tea does not require an after-blessing because it cannot be consumed in one go.
