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One who swallows a food without chewing it, is nevertheless required to say a blessing beforehand if his [cheek or] throat will feel the taste of the food and benefit from it.[1] If however, no taste will be felt, then a blessing is not recited even if the food will benefit his stomach.[2]
- Example 1: Swallowing a small pill-sized morsel of bread without chewing—if the bread’s flavor is sensed in the mouth or throat, a blessing is needed; if not, no blessing is recited.
- Example 2: Swallowing a flavorless object for health reasons (such as a plain gelatin capsule)—since no taste is experienced, a blessing is not recited.
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[1] See Admur 475:25 regarding Matzah “One who swallowed Matzah and did not chew it fulfills his obligation as since his throat received benefit, it is considered eating.”; Rav Elyashvili in Seder Birchas Hanhenin 8 footnote 72
[2] See Admur Seder 7:7 regarding water that no blessing is said unless one is thirsty; Admur Seder 7:8 that a blessing is only said over medicine if it tastes good; Admur Seder 8:11, Luach 8:12 “That tasting alone is not considered benefit” hence implying there must also be taste and swallowing, and taste without swallowing, or swallowing without benefit of taste, does not render a need for a blessing.

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