May One Combine Two Different Foods To Reach A Kezayit?

Halacha Moment
Sep 20, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Feb 24

The Daily Halacha Moment - Combining foods for a Kezayit 🍲

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

In a previous Halacha Moment we discussed that one needs to eat a Kezayit (around 27 grams) of food in order to recite a Berachah Achrona. That being said, If one ate a half Kezayit of mein shalosh (something mezonot) and a half Kezayit of boreh nefashot can he combine them to recite a Boreh nefashot?

Answer:

This is a fascinating halachic question, and it is actually a matter of dispute (machloket) among the poskim. The discussion revolves around whether one can combine different foods that require distinct Berachot Achronot (after-blessings) to reach the required kezayit (olive-sized amount) necessary for reciting a Berachah Achrona.

The Sephardic Position: A Full Kezayit of One Category is Required

According to Sephardic custom and the ruling of Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef zatzal, in order to be obligated in reciting a Berachah Achrona, one must consume a full kezayit (approximately 27 grams) of a single category of food that requires the same Berachah Achrona. One may not combine different foods of distinct categories to reach the kezayit threshold.

For example, if someone eats half a kezayit of cookies (which require the after-blessing of Al HaMichya) and half a kezayit of candy (which requires Boreh Nefashot), they would not recite any Berachah Achrona. This is because neither category of food reached a full kezayit independently, and they cannot be combined for this purpose. Since each food has a different after-blessing, they are considered separate, and neither quantity is sufficient to obligate a blessing. [1]

The Ashkenazic Position: One Recites Boreh Nefashot

According to Ashkenazic poskim, the approach is different. If someone eats half a kezayit of a food that would require Mein Shalosh (such as cookies or cake) and half a kezayit of a food that would require Boreh Nefashot (such as candy, fruit, or vegetables), they should still recite Boreh Nefashot.

The reasoning behind this is that since both foods at least require an after-blessing (Berachah Achrona), and since Boreh Nefashot is the more general and inclusive blessing, it is appropriate to recite Boreh Nefashot in such cases. While they do not recite Mein Shalosh because they did not eat a full kezayit of foods requiring that blessing, the consumption of foods that necessitate Boreh Nefashot allows them to fulfill their obligation with at least that Berachah Achrona. [2]

Sources:

[1]. See Yabia Omer OC 1:12; Halacha Berura 210:11; Chazon Ovadia, Berachot pg 262.

[2]. Mishnah Berurah 210:1.

📲 The Daily Halacha Moment is written exclusively for this broadcast so when forwarding please include the link! 😊

Netanel Aminov

Founder Of The Halacha Moment

🌟 Today's Halacha Moment is dedicated:

🕯 Leiluy Nishmat:

Mishael Ben Frecha

Efrat Bat Aushra

🤒 Refuah Shelema:

Chana Bat Sima Feiga