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Donate- Shiur Ikkul – Digesting the food – Until when may one eat and drink on the basis of a blessing that he recited?[1]
See Chapter 21 Halacha 19 for the full details of this subject!
The general law: Just as one may only recite an after blessing [after eating a food, or drinking a liquid] if the food/liquid has yet to be digested by the abdomen as will be explained in Chapter 21 Halacha 19, so too a before blessing on the food or beverage only lasts as long as the food or drink consumed has yet to be digested. However if enough time has passed for one to digest the food eaten, then he is required to repeat the before blessing if he decides to further eat. The same applies for anybody who desires to exempt two foods with one blessing and he delayed in-between Shiur Ikkul that he is required to repeat the blessing.[2] [What remains, however, to be understood, is the Halachic definition of “digestion” and until when one can assume that the food has yet to be digested, and an after blessing may still be recited. This matter differentiates between one who ate a meal/food to the point of satiation versus one who ate a mere snack:[3]]
The practical ruling if ate or drank to satiation: Practically, if one ate or drank to the point of satiation, then the moment he begins feeling hungry or thirsty again [which is at minimum after 60 minutes later, and by a bread meal is at minimum after 72 minutes later] then this is a sign that his food or drink has been digested which requires a new blessing to be repeated prior to continuing eating and drinking. However, in the event that one is unsure as to whether he has begun to feel hungry and digest the food, then he is not to repeat the blessing until he is certain that he has begun to digest the food.[4] This can extend up until six hours after the eating but not more.[5] [In such a case, it is best for him to recite a blessing on another food, or hear a blessing from somebody else.[6]]
The practical ruling if ate or drank not to satiation:[7] If however one did not eat or drink to their content than it is difficult to determine the exact time of digestion, and hence one should initially be stringent to not pass 11 minutes without further eating or drinking, although Bedieved he is not to repeat a before blessing unless 96 minutes have passed, as will be explained there! [Accordingly, one should anyways recite an after blessing within 11 minutes of eating in order to avoid entering into a doubt regarding if he can still recite the after blessing, and if he must repeat the before blessing.]
Saying a blessing on coffee every two hours: Based on the above ruling it was a custom in Jerusalem amongst those who would stay up at night studying Torah to recite a blessing every two hours on coffee that was served.[8] However, some are accustomed to not recite a new before blessing and a subsequent drink, even if 96 minutes has passed in between.[9] Practically, one should anyways recite an after blessing after each drink within 11 minutes as stated above, and hence repeat the before blessing again prior to drinking.[10]
| Situation | Timeframe | Blessing Requirement | Notes |
| Ate/drank to satiation | Minimum 60 min (general), 72 min (bread meal), up to 6 hours | Repeat before blessing if hungry/thirsty again; do not repeat unless certain digestion began | If unsure about digestion, do not repeat blessing until certain; can extend up to 6 hours |
| Ate/drank not to satiation | Initial stringency: 11 min; Bedieved: 96 min | Do not pass 11 min without eating/drinking; do not repeat before blessing unless 96 min passed | Recite after blessing within 11 min to avoid doubt |
| Blessing on coffee (Jerusalem custom) | Every 2 hours | Recite blessing every 2 hours on coffee served | Some do not recite new blessing even if 96 min passed; best to recite after blessing within 11 min, then repeat before blessing |
[1] Seder 5:9; Luach 7:9; Admur 184:3 “However, in the event that one has certainly digested the food that he said a blessing over, then the first blessing has expired [and hence a new blessing must be repeated]. The same applies for anybody who desires to exempt two foods with one blessing and he delayed in between Shiur Ikkul that he is required to repeat the blessing.”; M”A 184:9; See Kaf Hachaim 184:32 Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:11
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is never required to repeat the before blessing even after Shiur Ikkul. [Even Heozer 184; Machatzis Hashekel on M”A ibid; Ginas Veradim 3:20; Erech Hashulchan 184:5; Zechor Leavraham 2; Derech Hachaim 4; M”B 184:17; Kaf Hachaim 184:32] See also: Zechor Leavraham 3:20; Kaf Hachaim 184:32l; Maharash Alfandri; Tzitz Eliezer 12:1; Yabia Omer 6:27; Yechaveh Daas 6:11; Sheilas Shaul O.C. 24; Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:11 footnote 56 in the name of many Poskim
[2] Admur ibid; M”A ibid; Kaf Hachaim 184:32
[3] Admur 184:3 [omitted from Admur in Seder ibid, as well as Michaber ibid and most other Poskim and Rebbe Yochanon in Brachos ibid; Vetzaruch Iyun]; Taz 184:; M”A 184:9
[4] Implication of Admur 184:3 who writes “Kol Shevadaiy Nisakel” that a before blessing is only repeated if one is certain that he has digested the food; Chayeh Adam 50:23; Aruch Hashulchan 184:8; M”B 184:2; Kaf Hachaim 184:29; Ketzos Hashulchan 60 footnote 20; Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:9 and 10 footnote 45
Eating another food: The Ketzos Hashulchan ibid concludes that it is better that one eat another food in order so one escape the question of the before blessing. [Alternatively, one can change locations, and by Borei Nefashos foods force himself to need to repeat the blessing.] This especially applies by Borei Nefashos foods, as seemingly potentially eating without a blessing is more severe than not saying and after blessing of Borei Nefashos which is rabbinical according to all opinions. However, from the letter of the law, many of the Poskim ibid learn that it is better to enter oneself into a Safek Bracha Rishona, then to not recite an after blessing due to the doubt.
[5] M”A 184:9 [in opinion of Tosafus, or Rebbe Yochanon in Brachos 53b]; Machatzis Hashekel on M”A 184:9; Chesed Lealafim 184:3; Halachos Ketanos 1:145; Hagahos Hatur 184; Matzah Shmurah; Zechor Leavraham 2; Mur Uketzia 184; Beir Heiytiv 184:8; Kaf Hachaim 184:28; Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:9
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that the maximum time limit of digestion even for one who ate to the point of satiation is 72 minutes. [Rashi and opinion of Rav Ami in opinion of Reish Lakish, brought in M”A ibid and Kaf Hachaim ibid who concludes to suspect for this opinion, but omitted from Admur 184:3 who only brings the Shita of Tosafus in Reish Lakish that the 72 minutes is going on one who did not eat to the point of satiation; It is likewise completely omitted from Seder ibid or Michaber ibid who do not record at all the 72 minutes. See Ketzos Hashulchan 44 footnote 5 and Background brought above]
[6] See Ketzos Hashulchan 60 footnote 20
[7] Ketzos Hashulchan 60 footnote 20
[8] Chukei Chaim 1; Kaf Hachaim 184:32; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:11
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is not to repeat the before blessing even if an hour or more passes in between. [Zechor Leavraham 3:20; Kaf Hachaim 184:32l; Maharash Alfandri; Tzitz Eliezer 12:1; Yabia Omer 6:27; Yechaveh Daas 6:11; Sheilas Shaul O.C. 24; Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:11 footnote 56 in the name of many Poskim] This follows those opinions who argue on Admur and the M”A and rule that Shiur Ikkul never requires a before blessing to be repeated
[9] See other opinions in previous footnote
[10] See Minchas Yitzchak 5:102; 10:15; Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:11
