Halacha: What Blessing Do You Say for Vegetable Latkes?
Curious about the blessings for vegetable latkes? Find out the first and last blessings, along with explanations on consumption quantities.
- הידברות
- פורסם ו' חשון התשע"ז
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On the vegetable latkes we say 'Ha'adamah' (first blessing)
And at the end of the meal, we say 'Borei Nefashot' (last blessing)
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The amount required to obligate a last blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory):
For anything a person eats, they must say a "first blessing," such as "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz." Even if one eats only a small amount of the food, they must bless it if they intend to eat it. (However, if they sample food solely for seasoning purposes, they do not bless this eating at all). Therefore, one who chews flavored chewing gum, even if they swallow very little of it, must still bless it for the taste enjoyment. Similarly, when one drinks something, they need to bless it even if they intend to drink just one drop.
However, all this applies specifically to the first blessing. The last blessing is only said when one eats a food considered a "significant amount," which is an amount of "k'zayit," meaning twenty-seven grams. For drinks, the amount is "r'vi'it," which is eighty-one grams.
In addition, the eating or drinking must occur within a timeframe where the consumption is deemed continuous. Clearly, if someone eats the measure of a "k'zayit" of bread over an entire day, piece by piece, they cannot say the blessing over this meal afterward. Instead, the "k'zayit" must be consumed within a timeframe called "Akhilat Pras," for which there are differing opinions: some say it is five minutes, others seven and a half minutes, and other opinions exist. To be cautious, it is advisable to eat a "k'zayit" (especially during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes, to fulfill all views.
Regarding the last blessing for a drink, one must drink a "r'vi'it" of the beverage (eighty-one grams) all at once. If they pause between sips, they do not say a last blessing at all. Thus, someone drinking soup with a spoon does not say a last blessing on the soup, as they have not drunk a "r'vi'it" all at once. Similarly, one who drinks coffee or tea while it's hot does not say a last blessing, as they cannot drink it all at once.
