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Donate- The law of a Berya – Does eating a whole fruit require a Bracha Achrona even if less than a Kezayis?[1]
- The Law:
[Although earlier we stated that the minimum measurement of eating for reciting an after blessing is a Kezayis, nevertheless] some Poskim[2] question whether one must recite an after blessing after eating a whole, Berya, food, [even if he did not eat a Kezayis of that food]. Practically, due to this doubt, it is proper for one to be stringent not to eat a Berya unless he eats a Kezayis.[3]
- Definition of a Berya:[4]
A Berya is defined as any whole food, such as a single whole grape [olive, pomegranate seed] or even a single lentil. [Hence, if one were to eat even a single whole grape or single whole lentil, he would enter the above doubt as to whether an after blessing is to be said or not.]
Eating the entire fruit and the law regarding the pit, seed and peel:[5] One only enters into the question of a Berya if he eats all parts of the whole food that are commonly eaten. However, if one did not eat some [edible] part of the food, including even he only left the pit or seed by those foods in which it is common for one to consume even the pit, then it is not considered that one has eaten an entire Berya food [and hence as long as he has not eaten a Kezayis of the food, no doubt exists regarding the after blessing, that it should not be said]. [Likewise, if one does not eat the peel of the food by those foods in which it is common for the peel to be eaten, then it is not considered that one has eaten a Berya.] However, by those foods in which it is not common to eat the seed or pit or peel and the pit or seed or peel is rather discarded, then one who eats all of the flesh around the pit and seed, or all the flesh inside the peel, is considered to have eaten a whole Berya being that he has eaten all the parts that are fit for eating, and he enters himself into the above doubt.
If the fruit is missing a piece of its flesh:[6] It goes without saying that if the food or fruit is missing a piece from its flesh, then it is not considered a Berya and one who eats it does not enter himself into the above doubt.
If the pit is missing:[7] A fruit is only considered a Berya if it was brought to the person in its whole state. However, if prior to it being brought to the person the food or fruit was already missing a part of its wholeness, then it is not considered a Berya and one who eats it does not enter himself into the above doubt. This applies even to the pit of the fruit, that if the fruit was brought to the person with its pit removed as is common to be done with pitted olives then it is not considered a Berya. [This applies even if no actual flesh of the olive was missing from the olive and only its pit was removed, nonetheless, it is not considered a Berya if it was not brought to the table in its whole state with the pit.[8]]
If the fruit is cut or mashed:[9] A fruit is only considered a Berya if it was brought to the person in its whole state. Accordingly, if the fruit was brought in front of the person in a cut up or mashed state, then it is not defined as a Berya. [If, however, it was brought to the person in its whole state, and was then later cut or mashed, then if one ate the entire food, then it is considered that he has eaten a Berya, and has entered himself into the above doubt.[10] Accordingly, from here we learn that there is no requirement for the fruit to enter into one’s mouth in its whole state to be defined as a Berya, so long as it was brought into his presence in its whole state and had all of its edible parts eaten.]
- Example – Dried apricots: Dried apricots are commonly sold with their pits already removed. If a person eats a whole dried apricot, since it was presented and consumed without its pit, even though the pit is not regarded as edible or commonly eaten, nonetheless it is not considered a Berya. Therefore, if one has eaten less than a Kezayis of dried apricots, there is no question or doubt regarding reciting a Bracha Achrona; an after blessing would not be required in such a case.
- Example – Fresh apricots: If a person eats a fresh and eats the entire fruit with exception to its pit, then it is considered that he has eaten a Berya, as the fruit was presented whole and he consumed all the edible parts of the fruit.
| Topic | Details |
| Law of a Berya | Some Poskim question if after blessing is required after eating a whole, Berya, food even if less than a Kezayis. Due to doubt, proper to be stringent and not eat a Berya unless eats a Kezayis. |
| Definition of a Berya | Any whole food, such as a single whole grape, olive, pomegranate seed, or lentil. |
| Eating all edible parts | Question of Berya only applies if all commonly eaten parts are consumed. If pit, seed, or peel is left and commonly eaten, not considered a Berya. |
| Edible vs. discarded parts | If seed, pit, or peel is discarded and not commonly eaten, eating all flesh around them is considered eating a whole Berya. |
| Fruit missing flesh | If food or fruit is missing a piece of flesh, not considered a Berya. |
| Fruit missing pit | If fruit is brought with pit removed, not considered a Berya (e.g. pitted olives). |
| Fruit cut or mashed | If fruit is brought cut or mashed, not a Berya. If brought whole and then cut/mashed, eating all is considered a Berya. |
| Dried apricots example | Dried apricots sold with pits removed, not a Berya. Eating less than a Kezayis, no after blessing required. |
| Fresh apricots example | Eating entire fresh apricot except pit is considered eating a Berya. |
[1] Seder 8:9; Luach 2:10; Michaber 210:1; Tur 210; Rosh Brachos 6:16; Rabbeinu Yona Brachos 27b; Tosafus Brachos 39a; Tosafus Yuma 79a; Ketzos Hashulchan 59:8
[2] All Poskim ibid in name of Rabbeinu Yona Brachos 27b; Tosafus Brachos 39a
[3] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; Michaber ibid; Tur ibid; Rosh ibid; Tisafus Yuma ibid
[4] Seder 8:9; Luach 2:10; M”A 210:3
[5] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; M”A 210:4; Rabbeinu Yona ibid
[6] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; Olas Tamid 210:1
[7] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; M”A 210:4; Rosh ibid; Tosafus ibid
[8] Piskeiy Teshuvah 210:4
[9] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; Olas Tamid 210:1; Elya Raba 210:6; Rashba Brachos 39a
[10] Implication of Seder ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 210:5
Other opinions in Admur and Poskim: Some Poskim rule that it is only considered that one has eaten a Berya if one enters the food into one’s mouth in its whole state to be defined as a Berya, while if he cut a piece off and then ate it, then it is not considered that eh ahs eaten a Berya even if indeed he has consumed the entire fruit. [Luach ibid]
