Halacha: What Blessing Do We Recite Over Matzah?
Curious about the blessings recited over matzah? Find out the blessings for before and after eating, along with an explanation on the amount of consumption required.
- הידברות
- פורסם ו' חשון התשע"ז
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Over the matzah during Passover, we recite 'Hamotzi.' Throughout the year; Sephardim say 'Mezonot,' while Ashkenazim say 'Hamotzi' (first blessing).
After eating, we recite Birkat Hamazon (the final blessing).
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The measure of eating to be obligated in the final blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" by Piskei Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ZT"L):
For anything a person eats, they must recite the 'first blessing,' such as 'Shehakol' or 'Haetz.' And even if they eat only a little, they must bless it, as long as they are eating for consumption. (However, if they are only tasting to adjust seasoning or similar, they do not bless this eating at all.) Therefore, someone who chews flavored chewing gum, even though they swallow very little of it, must bless for the enjoyment of the gum's flavor. Similarly, anyone drinking anything must bless it, even for just a single drop.
However, this is specifically regarding the first blessing, but the final blessing is only recited when an 'important eating' is consumed. The measure for 'important eating' is the size of an 'olive,' which is twenty-seven grams, and for drinking, the measure is a 'Reviyit,' which is eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a period to combine them. If a person eats an olive-sized piece of bread throughout a whole day, crumb by crumb, they certainly cannot recite Birkat Hamazon afterward. Instead, the eating of the 'olive size' must be within a period called 'Achilat Pras,' with disagreements among the authorities on its measure, some saying it's five minutes and others seven and a half minutes (and there are more opinions). Therefore, one should always ensure to eat an olive-sized amount (especially during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to fulfill all opinions.
Regarding the final blessing for a drink, one must drink a Reviyit of the beverage (eighty-one grams) in one go, and if they pause between sips, they do not bless a final blessing. Therefore, someone drinking soup with a spoon does not bless a final blessing over the soup, as they did not drink a Reviyit in one go. Similarly, someone drinking coffee or tea while hot does not bless a final blessing, as they cannot drink it in one go.
