See also Chapter 7 Halacha 9!

One is not to say the blessing over a food, spice, or Mitzvah, until the food, spice or Mitzvah item is in one’s hands.

Which hand:[2] The food, spice, or Mitzvah item, is to be held in one’s right hand.[3]

In which hand is a lefty to hold the food or item?[4] Some Poskim[5] rule that even a left-handed person is to hold the item in his right hand, as the right hand is the side of life and is the side of Chesed according to Kabbalah.[6] Other Poskim[7], however, rule, that a lefty always gives precedence to his left side.[8]

Holding with knife, fork, spoon:[9] Upon saying the blessing over a food one is not to hold onto the food with a knife. One may however hold onto it with another vessel, such as a fork or spoon, as this vessel is considered like one’s hand.

Gloves:[10] One is not to recite a blessing over a food, spice, or Mitzvah item with gloves, and is hence to remove his gloves prior to saying a blessing. 

Bedieved – If said the blessing prior to food being in his hand:[11] If one said the blessing without the food, spice, or Mitzvah item, in his hands, he is not required to repeat the blessing, so long as the food, spice, or item, was in front of him at the time of the blessing.

If said blessing not in presence of food or item:[12] If, however, he said the blessing and only afterwards the food, spice or Mitzvah item was brought in front of him, then he must repeat the blessing. This applies even if one had in mind to have the food, spice, or item brought to him after reciting the blessing.

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[1] Admur Seder 9:4; 206:8; 167:6; Michaber 167:3; Brachos 43b; Beis Yosef 212; Rokeiach 329; Ketzos Hashulchan 37:6 and 55:4; Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 4 Erech Brachos pp. 300

[2] Admur Seder 9:4; 206:8; 167:7; Michaber 206:4; Brachos 43b; Beis Yosef 212; Mordechai in name of Ravayah; Ataz 16296:6; Ketzos Hashulchan 55:4

[3] The reason: As all matters which one says a blessing over must be held in the right hand during the time of the blessing. [Admur ibid] This is due to the importance that the Torah gives the right hand. [M”B 206:18; Levush 297:5; See Admur 183:7; Tzemach Tzedek ibid] Alternatively, it is due to the fact that the right hand represents Chesed and life. [Seder Brachos “Lechoz”, brought in Admur 206:8 regarding holding it with a knife; Elya Raba 206:6; Peri Megadim 206 A”A 6; All Poskim in next footnote who hold a lefty is to hold it in his left hand]

[4] See Sefer Dinei Iter p. 182; Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:15

Opinion of Admur: Admur ibid omits writing the reason of the Seder Brachos regarding why the right is to be preceded, thus implying like those Poskim who rule that the right is preceded due to its importance, and hence by a lefty, he is to hold it in his left hand. See Dinei Iter ibid and footnotes below.

[5] Implication of reason of Seder Brachos “Lechoz”; Elya Raba 206:6 based on Seder Brachos ibid; Peri Megadim 206 A”A 6 leaves this matter in question; Sdei Chemed Brachos 1; Kaf Hachaim 206:30 that so is custom; Orchos Chaim 206:5 in name of Divrei Mordechai 15; See also P”M 158 A”A 1; M”B 4:22 in name of Artzos Hachaim; Amudei Hashulchan 2:2; Kaf Hachaim 4:35; Miasef Lekol Hamachanos 4:53; Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:15

[6] The reason: As the main reason for holding it in one’s right hand is due to the right representing life and kindness, which is applicable even to the right hand of a lefty. [Poskim ibid]

[7] M”B 206:18 that so is implied from M”A 183 and Rav Akiva Eiger 206; Mur Veahalos 48; Beir Moshe 1:3; Rivivos Ephraim 8:80; Cheishev Haeiphod 3:30; Sefer Dinei Iter p. 182 and 43-46 based on Tzemach Tzedek Orach Chaim 4:6 and 5:8 regarding Netilas Yadayim, and based on Admur 183:7 that a lefty is to hold the Kos Shel Bracha in his left hand; 651:14 that a lefty is to hold the Lulav in his left hand; So writes also Rav Ginzberg in Haaros Ubiurim 783 p. 74

[8] The reason: As the main reason for holding it in one’s right hand is due to the respect one is required to show to his more distinguished hand, which for a lefty is his left hand. [Poskim ibid]

[9] Admur 206:8 “Yeish Mi Sheomer”; Seder 9:4 “Tov Lizaher”; M”A 206:6; Elya Raba 206:6.

[10] M”A 167:10 “If he has a Beis Yad, he must remove it”; Hagahos Maimanis Brachos Mahraham Merothenberg 23 in name of Sefer Hachasid; Ketzos Hashulchan

[11] Admur 167:6 in parentheses regarding bread; 206:9 regarding all foods; Seder 9:4 regarding all matters that a blessing is said over

[12] Admur Seder 9:4; 206:9; 167:6