Halacha: What Blessing is Said Over Wine?
Want to know the blessings for wine, both the initial and the concluding? Here's all the information you need, including an explanation of the required amount for consumption.
- הידברות
- פורסם ו' חשון התשע"ז
#VALUE!
On wine we recite Borei Peri HaGafen (initial blessing)
After drinking, we recite Al HaGafen (concluding blessing)
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The amount of consumption required to obligate a concluding blessing (from "Daily Halacha" from the rulings of the late Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef of blessed memory):
For anything a person consumes, they must recite an "initial blessing," such as the blessing of "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz." Even if they consume only a small quantity, they must bless it, as long as it is for the sake of consumption. (However, if one only tastes the food to add seasoning, for example, there is no blessing required for this tasting.) Therefore, someone chewing flavored gum, even if swallowing very little, must bless for enjoying the taste of the gum. Also, one coming to drink something must bless, even if only intending to drink a single drop of the beverage.
However, this applies specifically to the initial blessing, while a concluding blessing is only recited when one has consumed an "important consumption." An important consumption is defined as an amount of "Kezayit," equal to twenty-seven grams, and for drinking, the quantity is a "Revi'it," which is eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a time frame that allows all parts to combine. If someone eats a "Kezayit" of bread throughout an entire day, crumb by crumb, they surely cannot bless the Birkat Hamazon afterward. The consumption of a "Kezayit" portion must be within the duration known as "Achilat Pras," and there is a dispute among the poskim as to how long this duration is—some say it is about five minutes, others around seven and a half minutes (with other opinions as well). Therefore, it is advisable always to consume a "Kezayit" (especially during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to meet all opinions.
Regarding the concluding blessing on a drink, one must consume a Revi'it of the drink (which is seventy-seven grams) at once, for if there is a pause between sips, no concluding blessing is recited. Therefore, one consuming soup with a spoon does not bless a concluding blessing on that soup, as they did not drink a Revi'it at once. Similarly, someone drinking hot coffee or tea does not bless a concluding blessing, as they cannot drink it all at once.
