Halacha: What Blessing Do You Say on Lemonade?
Find out what blessings to recite over lemonade, both the initial and the concluding blessing, along with an explanation of the quantity required.
- הידברות
- פורסם ו' חשון התשע"ז
#VALUE!
For the lemonade recite Shehakol (initial blessing)
After consuming, recite Boreh Nefashot (concluding blessing)
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Required quantity for the concluding blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ZT"L):
For anything a person consumes, one must recite an "initial blessing," such as "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz." Even if eating only a small amount, one must bless, as long as it is eaten for the sake of consumption. (But if merely tasting the food to adjust seasoning, for instance, no blessing is needed). Therefore, someone who chews flavored gum must bless based on the enjoyment of the taste, even if swallowing very little. Similarly, if one intends to drink any beverage, a blessing is warranted even for a single drop.
However, this is specifically regarding the initial blessing. For the concluding blessing, it is only said after consuming a "significant amount" of food, which is defined as an "olive's bulk," approximately 27 grams. For drinks, the measure is a "revi'it," which is 81 grams.
Moreover, the eating or drinking must occur within a timeframe that allows the consumption to be considered as one session. For instance, if one consumes an "olive's bulk" of bread, bit by bit throughout the day, a Birkhat Hamazon is not warranted. Instead, the complete "olive's bulk" should be consumed within the eating duration of "Achilat Peras." There is debate among scholars on this duration, ranging from five to seven and a half minutes (with other opinions as well). Thus, it is advisable to consume the olive's bulk (particularly during Shabbat meals) within 4.5 minutes to cover all opinions.
Concerning a concluding blessing for drinks, one should consume a revi'it (81 grams) in one go. If pauses occur between sips, no concluding blessing is recited. Therefore, those who drink soup with a spoon do not say a concluding blessing, as the requisite amount is not consumed at once. Similarly, those who drink hot coffee or tea do not recite a concluding blessing because they cannot drink it all at once.
