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DonateChanging locations in middle of eating or drinking may require one to repeat the before blessing prior to continuing eating and drinking, depending on the factors to be explained. The reason for this is because a change of location is, depending on the fulfillment of certain factors, viewed as an end to one’s previous eating and drinking session which makes one’s new eating and drinking session considered independent of it, hence requiring a new blessing.[1] This change of location has the status of a Hefsek, or divide, between his previous eating and new eating.[2]
- Intentionally performing Shinuiy Makom with intent to repeat a blessing:[3]
It is forbidden to purposely switch locations after saying a blessing on a food or beverage for the purpose of being required to repeat the blessing over that food due to the prohibition in increasing in unnecessary blessings.
In cases that do not require the blessing to be repeated: Even in those scenarios in which a blessing is not required to be repeated prior to resuming eating, in certain scenarios, it remains forbidden for one to initially switch locations either due to entering a doubt as to whether a blessing must be repeated [i.e. see Halacha 2D regarding Meiyn Gimel] or due to a general prohibition of switching locations in middle of a meal, as will be explained in Halacha 2C-D.
In order to escape a doubt:[4] In all cases that one is unsure if a new blessing must be said on a certain Borei Nefashos food one may switch locations in order to escape the doubt and force himself to be required to repeat the before blessing prior to continuing eating.
- The cases of relevance of Shinuiy Makom – Before eating, Ikar Vitafel, Drinking:
The potential requirement [depending on the qualifying factors] to repeat the before blessing due to changing locations is applicable whether one was in the middle of eating or drinking, which is the main case of discussion in the Poskim, or whether one has yet to begin eating or drinking, and changed locations after reciting the blessing.
Between blessing and eating:[5] Switching rooms or locations between saying a blessing and then eating and swallowing the food is generally prohibited, as it constitutes an interruption (Hefsek) that potentially invalidates the blessing and requires its repetition, unless the switch is necessary for the meal or involves retrieving an essential item, in which case doing so may not invalidate the blessing if it involves switching rooms within the same home. See Chapter 7 Halacha 3D and Halacha 4 for the full details of this matter!
Ikar Tafel:[6] The exemption of a secondary food with the blessing recited on an Ikar food [explained in chapter 17] only applies if the secondary food is eaten in the same location as the primary food without changing areas in between. However, if the primary food requires its after blessing to be said in the same location in which it was eaten or if there was an established eating setup, then no new blessing is needed for the secondary food even after moving locations. See Chapter 17 Halacha 1D for the full details of this matter!
Eating versus drinking:[7] There is no difference in this Halacha between drinking a liquid or eating a food, and hence whenever a certain Halacha is written regarding eating, it applies likewise to drinking.
- The application of Shinuiy Makom – Hesech Hadas, Food in hand or mouth, location, and time:[8]
No Hesech Hadas:[9] Whenever the change of location deems it necessary for the blessing to be repeated, based on the factors to be explained, then the blessing must be repeated even if the individual did not remove his mind from the food, and planned on continuing to eat either in his new location or when he returns to his original location. The reason for this is because the blessing repetition due to change of location is not due to Hesech Hadas, which was the subject of chapter 19, but rather due to Hefsek.
Brought the food in ones hand or mouth to new area:[10] Whenever the change of location deems it necessary for the blessing to be repeated, based on the factors to be explained, then the blessing must be repeated even if the individual took the food with him in his hands with intent to eat it in the new location. Certainly, it applies when he did not take the food with him and rather left the food in the original area, planning to return there to eat. The reason for this is because the blessing repetition due to change of location is not due to Hesech Hadas, which was the subject of chapter 19, but rather due to Hefsek. [However, if one had the food in his mouth and then went to another area, then some Poskim[11] learn that there is no status of Shinuiy Makom in such a case, and he is not required to remove the food from his mouth and repeat the blessing. Thus he may change locations while sucking a candy or chewing gum. However, if he desires to eat more from that food then a new blessing must be said if the other qualifying factors of Shinuiy Makom are met, as explained in this chapter.[12] Furthermore, some Poskim[13] learn that perhaps a change of location can even invalidate the blessing of the food that is in one’s mouth, and hence it is best for one not to change locations even while chewing. Accordingly, one who is chewing gum or sucking on a candy should beware not to change locations in a way that can cause the blessing to need to be repeated.[14]]
Location of new eating – Eating in new area versus in old area:[15] Whenever the change of location deems it necessary for the blessing to be repeated, based on the factors to be explained, then the blessing must be repeated whether the individual plans to continuing eating in his new location or plans to return to his old location to eat. This, however, is with exception to a Kevius food, and if one left a Chaburah in his original location, as will be explained in Chapter 4C-D.
Amount of time – If returned shortly to original area:[16] In all cases that a before blessing must be repeated due to change of location, it makes no difference as to the amount of time that one has spent outside of his original location and even if remained outside for a mere moment, the blessing must be repeated.
Change of area during Travel and walking: See Halacha 3E!
- Saying the after blessing before resuming eating:[17]
In all cases that a change of location requires the before blessing to be repeated, and certainly in those cases in which the before blessing is not to be repeated, the after blessing must be delayed until he completely finishes eating or drinking, in which case he is to then recite a single after blessing for all the foods and beverages. He is not to recite an after blessing prior to saying a new blessing on the continued eating or drinking, as doing so causes an unnecessary after blessing to be said after the second eating and drinking.
| Rule/Section | Description | Details/Exceptions |
| Changing locations and its reason | May require repeating before blessing prior to continuing eating/drinking | Change of location can be a Hefsek (divide); depends on factors to be explained |
| Intentionally performing Shinuiy Makom with intent to repeat a blessing | Forbidden to purposely switch locations after blessing to require a repeat | Prohibition in increasing unnecessary blessings; forbidden even if blessing not required to be repeated in some scenarios |
| Switching locations to escape a doubt | Permitted if unsure if new blessing is needed for Borei Nefashos food | May switch locations to force requirement to repeat before blessing |
| Cases of relevance of Shinuiy Makom | Applies to eating, drinking, or after blessing but before eating/drinking | Switching rooms/locations between blessing and eating is generally prohibited unless necessary for meal or retrieving essential item |
| Ikar Tafel | Exemption for secondary food applies only if eaten in same location as primary food | If after blessing for primary food must be in same location or there was an established setup, no new blessing needed for secondary food after moving |
| Eating vs. drinking | No difference in Halacha between eating and drinking | Rules for eating apply likewise to drinking |
| No Hesech Hadas | Blessing must be repeated after change of location even if intent to continue eating | Repetition due to Hefsek, not Hesech Hadas |
| Brought food in hand or mouth to new area | Blessing must be repeated after change of location even if food taken in hand | If food in mouth, some Poskim say no Shinuiy Makom; may not need to repeat blessing; best not to change locations while chewing |
| Location of new eating | Blessing must be repeated whether continuing in new or old location | Exception: Kevius food, or if left a Chaburah in original location (see Chapter 4C-D) |
| Amount of time outside original area | Time spent outside does not matter | Blessing must be repeated even if only away for a moment |
| Change of area during travel/walking | See Halacha 3E | |
| Saying after blessing before resuming eating | After blessing must be delayed until completely finished eating/drinking | Do not recite after blessing before new blessing on continued eating/drinking; to avoid unnecessary after blessing |
[1] Admur 178:1; Rashi and Rashbam in Pesachim 101b
[2] Admur 178:1; Michaber 178:1; Rambam Brachos 4:5
[3] See Admur 215:4 “Oa Bedavar Acher Hagorem Sheyitztareich Lachzor Ulivareich”
[4] See Michaber 174:7; Tevuos Shur 19:17; Shareiy Teshuvah 639:18; Birchas Habayis 1:63; Kaf Hachaim 190:8; Igros Moshe 5:17; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178 footnote 7; 202 footnote 150; 212:2 case 8; 212:5 footnote 53; 215:14
[5] Admur 167:9; Birchas Avraham p. 154; Elya Raba 178:5; Zechor Leavraham 60; Kaf Hachaim 178:21; See Admur 178:1 regarding Hefsek of switching areas while eating; Admur 8:21-22 regarding Hefsek of switching area between Mitzvos; Admur 166 regarding Hefsek of walking between washing and Hamotzi; Shaar Hatziyon 167:28 in name of Admur ibid; Birchas Habayis 1:14; Tehila Ledavid 166:3; M”B 178:39 in name of Birchas Avraham; Ketzos Hashulchan 37:7; Machsheves Chaim p. 135; Piskeiy Teshuvos 167:7; See regarding that walking in middle of a Mitzvah [in contrast to eating] is never a Hefsek: Admur 90:25; 104:2; Kuntrus Achron 8:5; 589:2; M”A 8:17
[6] See Seder 3:17; Luach 4:16; Admur 212:11; M”A 212:2; Tosafus Brachos 44a; Chayeh Adam Kelal 56:1; Derech Hachaim 19; Chesed Lealafim 212:4; Kitzur SHU”A 54:2; Kaf Hachaim 212:13; Ketzos Hashulchan 58:13
[7] See Seder 9:18; Ketzos Hashulchan 57:1
[8] Seder 9:11; Luach 6:11; Admur 178:1; M”A 178:4; Tur 178; Rav Chisda Pesachim 101b; Ketzos Hashulchan 41:1
[9] Seder 9:11; Luach 6:11; Admur 178:1; Implication of Pesachim 101b; Ketzos Hashulchan 57:1
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if one did not have Hesech Hadas, then there is no need to repeat the blessing. [See Kaf Hachaim 178:1]
[10] Seder 9:11; Luach 6:11; Admur 178:1; Chayeh Adam, brought in M”B 178:39; 42; Ketzos Hashulchan 57:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:15; See Kuntrus Achron 178:1 where Admur explains the necessity to explain the case to be even if the food is in his hands when he switches areas as if it was not in his hands then the blessing would regardless need to be repeated being that the food was not in front of him, and he did not have his mind on it as explained in Michaber 206:5 and Admur 206:9 and Seder 9:5. Vetzaruch Iyun as to why the case can’t be established with him not taking the food with him and that he plans to return to his original area to continue eating, or, that he is aware that there is food in his new area and intended on that food at the time that he said the original blessing.
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if the food is in one’s hands when he changes location, then there is no need to repeat the blessing, and the above law of Shinuiy Makom only applies if the food is not with him when he moves away. [Kaf Hachaim 178:1 and 15 and 21; See Birchas Habayis 20:9 that one is not required to repeat the blessing when eating while walking even if he goes to another home] Other Poskim rule that so long as one continues eating the same food, and eats each and every bite within Toch Kdei Dibbur, then a new blessing is not to be repeated even if he changed locations as its all considered one eating. [Igros Moshe 2:57 based on M”A 217:3 and 8:18 and M”B 178:37]
[11] Implication of Admur ibid who does not record an even greater novelty that even if the food is in his mouth he may not change locations; Implication of Chayeh Adam ibid, brought in M”B 178:39, who writes that every new bite is considered new eating hence implying that food that is in one’s mouth when changes locations is not considered a new eating; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:15 footnote 73-74; All Poskim in previous footnote in other opinions including: Kaf Hachaim 178:1 and 15 and 21; Birchas Habayis 20:9; Igros Moshe 2:57 based on M”A 217:3 and 8:18 and M”B 178:37
[12] Igros Moshe ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 74 and 76
[13] Implication of Hagahos on Daas Torah 178; Orchos Rabbeinu 3:220 in name of Chazon Ish; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:15 footnote 73
[14] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid
[15] Seder 9:11; Luach 6:11; Admur 178:1; Ran Pesachim 20b; Pesachim 101b
[16] Setimas Kol Haposkim who never mention any time amount; So is also evident from the ruling of Admur regarding Kevius foods [See Seder 9:18; Admur 178:8] in which a Chiluk is mentioned regarding the amount of time one stayed out, hence implying that by non-Kevius foods there is no difference in law regarding how long one stayed out and even if he stayed out for a mere moment he must repeat the blessing upon his return; See M”B 178:4 and 26, Biur Halacha 178:10 “Kegon”; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:2 and footnote 4
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if one left his location for a very short amount of time, such as to speak to someone for a moment, and then quickly returned, then a blessing is never needed to be repeated even by Borei Nefashos foods. [Yaavetz in Mur Uketzia in great length, and total negation of the previous understanding calling the previous understanding a mistaken opinion which results from people not properly knowing how to learn; Implication of Aruch Hashulchan 178:10; Igros Moshe 5:17 at end of Teshuvah that so is a Sevara Nechona; See Seder 9:18 and Admur 178:8 regarding kevius foods, and these Poskim rule that the same applies regarding all foods]
[17] Rama 178:2; Tosafus Pesachim 101b; Rav Chisda Pesachim ibid; See Kaf Hachaim 178:5 and 8 and 15; So rule regarding Hesech Hadas that it’s a Bracha Sheiyno Tzericha: Michaber 169:3; Birchas Habayis Shaar 22:11; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178 footnote 3
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one must always first recite an after blessing on what he ate and then repeat the blessing on the continued eating. [Michaber 178:1; M”A 178:1; Taz 178:2; Rav Sheishes Pesachim ibid; Kaf Hachaim 178:1 and 8]
