Halacha: What Blessing Do You Say Over Cooked Beets?
Curious about the blessings for cooked beets, both the first and the last ones? Discover all the essential details, including the required quantity for the blessing.
- הידברות
- פורסם ח' חשון התשע"ז
#VALUE!
For the cooked beet say the blessing Ha'adamah (first blessing)
At the end of the eating, say the blessing Borei Nefashot (last blessing)
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The amount eaten to require a last blessing (from "Daily Halacha" based on the decisions of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ZT"L):
For everything one eats, one must say a "first blessing," such as "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz." Even if one only eats a small amount, one must bless it, provided the intention is to eat. (However, if tasting only to adjust the seasoning, etc., one does not bless this eating at all). Therefore, anyone chewing flavored chewing gum, although swallowing very little, still must bless it for the pleasure of its taste. Similarly, whoever drinks something, must bless it even if it's just a single drop.
However, this is only concerning the first blessing. A last blessing is only recited when one has eaten a "significant amount," defined as the size of an "olive," or twenty-seven grams, whereas for drinking, the measurement is a "revi'it," or eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a time frame for it to be considered connected. If someone eats throughout an entire day the size of an "olive" piece by piece, they certainly cannot bless the grace after meals. Instead, the "olive" size must be eaten within the timeframe known as "Achilat Pras." Opinions vary on this, some say it is five minutes, while others suggest about seven and a half minutes (there are further opinions). Therefore, it's prudent to always eat an olive-sized portion (especially for Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to satisfy all opinions.
Regarding the last blessing on a drink, one must drink a revi'it of the beverage (which is eighty-one grams) all at once. If one drinks but pauses between sips, they do not recite a last blessing at all. Thus, someone drinking soup with a spoon does not bless the soup afterward, as they have not consumed a revi'it all at once. Similarly, drinking hot coffee or tea does not warrant a last blessing because consuming it all at once is impossible.
