Halacha: What Blessing Do We Recite on Sabras?
Curious about which blessings to say for sabras, both before and after eating? Get all the facts here, along with an explanation on the required amounts for the blessings.
- הידברות
- פורסם ח' חשון התשע"ז
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For the sabrawe say boreh pri ha'etz (the first blessing)
And at the end of eating, we recite boreh nefashot (the last blessing)
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The required amount of eating to obligate a final blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l):
For anything a person eats, one must bless with a "first blessing," such as the blessings "shehakol" or "ha'etz." Even if one only eats a small amount, they must bless as long as they intended to eat. (However, if one only intends to taste to adjust seasoning, no blessing is required at all). Thus, one who chews flavored gum, even if they swallow very little, must still bless for the enjoyment of the gum's taste. Similarly, anyone drinking something must bless even if they only intend to drink a single drop.
However, this obligation is only for the first blessing, as a final blessing is recited only after a "significant eating," which is defined as consuming an amount equivalent to an olive (k'zayit), which is twenty-seven grams, or for drinking, the measure of a revi'it, which is eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the consumption should happen within a time frame that allows for it to be considered a unified act of eating or drinking. For example, if one eats the measure of a k'zayit of bread throughout an entire day, bit by bit, they certainly cannot recite the birkat hamazon. The "k'zayit" must be eaten within the time frame called "achilat pras," with different opinions suggesting it lasts either five minutes or about seven and a half minutes (with other views as well). Thus, it is prudent to always eat a k'zayit, especially during Shabbat meals, within four and a half minutes to satisfy all opinions.
Regarding the final blessing on drinks, it is necessary to drink a revi'it (eighty-one grams) at once; if there's a pause between sips, no final blessing is recited. Therefore, someone drinking soup with a spoon does not recite a final blessing on that soup, since they did not drink a revi'it all at once. Similarly, one drinking coffee or tea when it's hot does not recite a final blessing because they cannot drink it all at once.
