Introduction:

Amongst the laws of blessings on foods there includes laws regarding precedence. The laws of precedence apply when one has two different foods in front of him and he plans to eat from both foods. These laws dictate which food should be blessed on and eaten first. This concept is first discussed in the Mishneh[1] and later on in the Gemara[2] and became expanded within the Rishonim and Achronim. In the Shulchan Aruch[3], these laws are brought in two different chapters, one dealing with the laws of precedence by loaves of bread, and the second dealing with precedence by other blessings. Within the laws of precedence of Brochos we find different aspects in a food which raise their level of importance and hence have their blessing precede another. Regarding a case of עיקר וטפל [two foods which are eaten together] the above rules are changed, as will be explained.

The following are the aspects of importance:

1. Chashivus of Bracha – A more dignified Bracha.
2. Chashivus of food – A more dignified species.
3. Chaviv: A more desirable food.
4. Shaleim: A food which is whole.

The two types of precedence; precedence of blessing and precedence of food:

There exist two scenarios of precedence, one which relates to blessings and one which relates to foods. Whenever there are two foods present which one plans to eat, then if the two foods are of two different blessings than the laws of precedence determine which blessing to recite first. This is known as Kadima Bebrachos.  If the two foods are of the same blessing than the laws of precedence determine which food to recite the blessing on. This is known as Kadima Bepri. The rules of precedence change between these two scenarios, such as for example the advantage of Shaleim plays a role in the second scenario but according to many approaches, not in the former scenario. Likewise, the aspect of Chaviv plays a more determining role in the former scenario than in the latter scenario.[4] Furthermore, the laws of precedence by Kadima Bebrachos is from the letter of the law, while the laws of precedence by Kadima Bepri is a mere Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar.[5]

The complexity of these laws:

The laws of precedence of blessings is one of the more complex subjects in Jewish law being that they do not follow any simple rule in the decision of what to proceed depends on various calculations that one must take into account.

Testing the students:

It’s said about some of the great Tzadikim and scholars who wanted to test their students’ Yiras Shamayim and knowledge in Halacha, that they would present various foods and observe how they followed the laws of precedence in blessings.[6] A famous story is related with the Tzemach Tzedek who during his visit to the home of the great leaders of the Misnagdim he had a platter of different fruits and foods placed in front of him in order to test him in the laws of precedence of blessings and see what he would choose to say the blessing on first.[7]

A technique for a case of doubt in how to circumvent preceding the wrong food:

Due to the complexities of the laws of precedence, it is common even for one who has studied the laws to remain in doubt in certain scenarios as to which food receives precedence, and certainly doubt is common by one who has not reviewed these laws recently and has forgotten the various rules of precedence. The following is a great technique that can be used to circumvent preceding the wrong food: Whenever in doubt, simply remove the other foods from the table and make the blessing on whatever food one believes should be preceded, as the laws of precedence only apply when the foods are in front of him, as explained in Halacha 1A.[8] Some even argue that it suffices to simply cover the other foods and it is not necessary to remove them from the table.[9]

Hamaaseh Hu HaIkar – Hierarchy of blessings:

*Applies only when all foods are equally whole or halved and equally Chaviv. Otherwise, changes may apply, as explained in Halachas below.

1. Hamotzi on wheat bread
2. Hamotzi on barley bread
3. Hamotzi on spelt bread
4. Hamotzi on rye bread
5. Hamotzi on oat bread
6. Pas Haba Bekisnin Mezonos of any grain precedes cooked Mezonos of any grain
7. Wheat Mezonos
8. Olives [precedes barley Mezonos but is preceded by Hagafen and spelt Mezonos]
9. Barley Mezonos
10. Hagafen on wine or grape juice [however precedes olives]
11. Spelt Mezonos [however precedes olives]
12. Rye Mezonos on
13. Oat Mezonos
14. Dates
15. Grapes
16. Figs
17. Pomegranate
18. Rice [for those who say Mezonos]
19. Haietz fruits
20. Ha’adama vegetables
21. Shehakol [whether food or drink]
22. Besamim

[1] Brachos 40b

[2] Brachos 41a

[3] Michaber Chapters 168 and 211

[4] For example we find in Seder 10:6 and 8 that by two different blessings, the law of Chaviv gives full precedence, while by two foods of the same blessing, it only gives a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar status, or simply neutralizes the other fruits advantage. 

[5] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 211:1

[6] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 211:1 footnote 2

[7] Sefer Hasichos 5700 Hebrew p. 109; [See there that he replied that when one does not want to eat any of the foods in front of him, then the laws of precedence become nullified. Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol as to what his Chidush was, as this matter is explicit in Poskim (see Halacha 1), however, perhaps once can suggest that his novelty was that in the event that one does not want to eat any of the foods is in front of him, then there is no law of precedence even though he will eventually choose one of the foods. Perhaps this is based on the ruling of the Meiri Brachos 41a that when eating as a guest by a great man’s home, then the laws of precedence follows that which is most beloved to his host.]

[8] Birchas Habayis 13:13; Az Nidbaru 8:53; Piskeiy Teshuvos 211:1-2 footnote 5

[9] Az Nidbaru ibid; However see Birchas Habayis 13:8 who argues on this with exception to certain cases