The requirement to recite an after blessing after eating a food or drink is dependent on two factors: 1) The amount of food or drink that one consumed; and 2) The amount of time that this amount of food was consumed in. Throughout the previous laws, we dealt with the first aspect which is the amount of food or beverage that needs to be consumed in order to recite an after blessing. We will now tackle the second subject which is the amount of time in which the above-mentioned measurement of food must be eaten in, in order to require an after blessing. Obviously, it would be preposterous to suggest that if one ate half a Kezayis of food on Monday and another half of that food on Tuesday that he would now be obligated to recite an after blessing as he has eaten a total of Kezayis, and rather certainly there is a certain amount of time in which the full measurement of a Kezayis must be eaten in in order to require an after blessing. It is this matter that will be discussed in this law. It is important to note that this law only deals with the measurement for food i.e. solids, while the measurement for liquids will be discussed in the following law. It is also important to note that this law focuses on the general time frame in which the measurement of food must be eaten within known as Achilas Peras, while the detailed and complex definition of Achilas Peras will be discussed in chapter 22 Halacha 3.
The law:
[It is a Halacha Lemoshe Misinai that the above Kezayis of food must be eaten within Achilas Peras for it to require an after blessing.[3] Thus,] If one ate the amount of half a Kezayis of a food and then took a small break and returned and finished eating the other half of the Kezayis of that food, then if the amount of time of Kdei Achilas Peras (which is equivalent to the amount of time it takes to eat a half a loaf of bread of six eggs in volume[4]) [i.e. between 3-4 minutes[5]] has passed from the time he started eating the first half of the Kezayis until he finished eating the second half of the Kezayis, then they do not join each other to make up a full Kezayis to require an after blessing to be recited.
The law if one ate the food for the entire time:[6] The above law applies even if one did not make an interval at all in the eating of the food, nonetheless, if it took more time than Kdei Achilas Peras to eat the entire Kezayis of food from the beginning to the end, then no after blessing is recited. [Thus, even if one was chewing the food the entire time without interval, if it took more than 3-4 minutes to consume the entire Kezayis, no after blessing is recited.]
The law if one had to repeat the before blessing within that time:[7] The above law that if a total of a Kezayis of food was eaten with Kdei Achilas Peras then an after blessing is recited applies even if there was an interval that took place between the two eating’s. Furthermore, even if one performed an interval such as changing locations in between, which required a new before blessing to be recited on one’s second eating, hence considering it like a new meal, nonetheless, the two eating’s are considered like one and join each other to make up a Kezayis within Achilas Peras to obligate one in the recital of an after blessing.
| Topic | Description | Measurement | Time Frame | After Blessing Requirement |
| Kezayis Consumption | Amount of food must be eaten within a certain time to require after blessing | Kezayis (solids) | Achilas Peras (3-4 minutes) | Yes, if eaten within Achilas Peras |
| Split Eating | Half Kezayis eaten, break, then other half | Half + Half Kezayis | If over 3-4 minutes, do not join | No after blessing |
| Continuous Eating | No interval, but slow eating | Kezayis | More than 3-4 minutes | No after blessing |
| Interval with New Blessing | Interval between eating, even with new before blessing | Kezayis (combined) | Within Achilas Peras | Yes, after blessing required |
[1] Meaning, and how much time must a Berya be consumed to enter the doubt mentioned in the previous law. If it is consumed past that amount of time, then there is no question applicable.
[2] Seder 8:2; Luach 2:2; M”A 210:1; Michaber 612:3; Tur 612; Rambam Shevisas Assur 2:4; Mishneh Kerisus 12b; Tosefta Yuma 4:4; Ketzos Hashulchan 59:2
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that regarding a meal of bread one is required to recite Birchas Hamazon even if he did not eat the bread within Achilas Peras, if he was satiated from the meal. [See P”M 210 A”A 1; Chasam Sofer O.C. 49; Panim Meiros 2:27; Birchas Habayis 17:8; Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:13 footnote 71] Others, however, negate this opinion. [Igros Moshe 1:76; Poskim in Piskeiy Teshuvos 184:13 footnote 73]
[3] Admur 81:1; Rashi Sukkah 42b
[4] Seder Birchas Hanehnin 8:2 in parentheses regarding after blessing; Luach 2:2; Admur 442:1 in parentheses regarding Taaruvos Chametz; Gloss on Mitzvah 6 in Hakdamah to Hilchos Pesach regarding Taaruvos Pesach; Admur 475:8 regarding Matzah; 2nd opinion in Admur 612:4 “Around three eggs worth not in a dense manner but rather open and spacious”; 2nd opinion in Michaber 612:4; Rama 612:4; Rambam Shevisas Assur 2:4; Chametz Umatzah 1:6; Rashba Toras Habayis Haruch 4:1-12; Rebbe Yochanon Ben Beroka in Mishneh Eiruvin 82b;
Other opinions: See Chapter 22 Halacha 3!
[5] See Chapter 22 Halacha 3!
[6] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; Admur 81:1; Rashi Sukkah 42b; Ketzos Hashulchan 59:2 and footnote 10
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that all foods and beverages that are common to eat and drink slowly do not follow the measurement of Achilas Peras. [Beir Heiytiv 204; Shaareiy Teshuvah 204] Practically, we do not rule like this opinion. [Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 10]
[7] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; [see also Admur 7:3, 184:1]; Rashi Sukkah 42b
