Halacha: What Blessing is Made on Pita?
Curious about the blessings for pita—both first and last? Find all the details here, including the quantity required for the blessing.
- הידברות
- פורסם י"ד חשון התשע"ז
#VALUE!
On pita, one recites 'Hamotzi' (first blessing)
After eating, one recites Birkat Hamazon(last blessing)
* * *
The amount eaten to be obligated in the last blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" by the rulings of the late Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l):
On any food a person eats, they must recite a "first blessing," such as the blessing "Shehakol" or "Haetz." Even if they eat only a small amount of that food, they are required to bless it, as long as they intend to eat it. (However, if one only tastes the food to improve it by adding spices, they do not bless this eating at all). Therefore, someone chewing flavored gum, even if they swallow only a very small amount, must bless for the enjoyment of the gum's flavor. Similarly, one who drinks something must bless it even if they drink just one drop of the beverage.
But all this is only regarding the first blessing, while for the last blessing, it is recited only when one eats a "significant meal," which is measured as "kezayit," that is, 27 grams; for drinking, the measure is "revi'it," which is 81 grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking should be within a time frame that connects them together. If one were to eat a "kezayit" of bread throughout the entire day, crumb by crumb, certainly they would not recite Birkat Hamazon afterward. Instead, the "kezayit" portion should be consumed within the time frame known as "eating the size of a pras." There is a disagreement among halachic authorities regarding this time, with some saying it is five minutes and others saying it is approximately seven and a half minutes (and there are other opinions as well). Therefore, it is recommended to always eat a kezayit (especially during 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 81 grams) at once. If they drank and paused between sips, they do not recite a last blessing at all. Therefore, one who drinks soup with a spoon does not recite a last blessing on that soup, since they did not drink a revi'it amount at once. Similarly, one who drinks coffee or tea while they are hot does not recite a last blessing, because they cannot drink it all at once.
