11. Shaleim & Large pieces – Saying a Bracha on a whole or large food and When to cut a piece off from the food, before or after the blessing?[1]

* This Halacha covers the general directive to always say a blessing on a Shaleim, which consequently directs one to always say the blessing on a product prior to cutting it. With regards to the laws of precedence when two different foods are present, and one of them is a Shaleim – See Chapter 18 Halacha 1D.

Whole fruit or vegetable:[2] It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to recite the blessing of Haeitz or Hadama on a whole [i.e. Shaleim] fruit or vegetable. This applies even if one will need to delay the eating of the fruit or vegetable in order to first cut a piece off, as a silent interruption that is made between the blessing and eating for the sake of eating is not considered an interval at all. Hence, when eating a whole fruit one is to first recite the blessing and only afterwards cut it to eat a piece in order to recite a blessing on a Shaleim, even though cutting it will inevitably create an interval between the blessing and eating.[3] [Accordingly, even when eating a watermelon, one is to first say the blessing and then cut a piece off. However, some write that by very large fruits such as watermelons, and coconut, pineapple, one is to first peel it and cut a piece off prior to saying the blessing.[4]] One is to recite the entire blessing from beginning to end and only then begin to cut the fruit or vegetable.[5]

A fruit or vegetable that needs to be checked for worms or edibility:[6] All the above only refers to a fruit or vegetable that does not need to be cut open prior to eating in order to check it for worms or to check its state of edibility. If, however, it does need to be opened and checked for worms prior to eating, or if it needs to be opened to check to see if it is edible, then this should be done prior to saying the blessing. Thus, for example one who eats a nut, should first break open the nut to check it for worms and to make sure that it did not rot, in order so one does not recite a blessing in vain.

Loaf of Bread:[7] It is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to recite the blessing of Hamotzi on a whole [i.e. Shaleim] loaf of bread. One is to recite the entire blessing from beginning to end and only then begin cutting a slice off the loaf. Nonetheless, on a weekday one is to begin slightly cutting the bread before the Bracha, in order to approximate the Bracha to the eating as much as possible. However, one must cut it in a way that it remains a Shaleim [whole], which means that he cuts only a minority of the area to the point that if one were to hold onto the cut area the bread would not fall apart. However, on Shabbos and holidays, one is not to cut the bread at all as the knife may slip and he may end up cutting the loaf in a way that ruins its wholeness.

Large slice of bread, or other food, versus small:[8] Even regarding a large slice of bread or partial loaf, one is to first recite the blessing and then cut a piece off the slice, as it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to recite a blessing over a large piece. [The same applies regarding any food, that one should say a blessing over a large piece versus a smaller one.[9] This applies even to beverages, that one should say a blessing over a larger quantity of liquid than a smaller quantity of liquid. Hence, it is proper to say blessing on soup while the spoon is inside the bowl, and not after lifting the spoon from the bowl in which the amount of liquid is small.[10]]

 

Cake:[11] Based on the above it is understood that if one has a whole cake in front of him, he should first say the blessing of Mezonos and only then cut a slice off, unlike that which people do to first cut off a slice and only then say a blessing, as by doing so one forfeits saying the blessing on a Shaleim which is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar. One does not need to cut the cake at all prior to the blessing, not even partially. Furthermore, even if the cake is no longer whole, it is better to say a blessing on a larger cake and then cut off a piece, then to first cut off the piece and only then recite the blessing. Peeling the fruit or vegetable:[12] Any fruit or vegetable that needs to be peeled prior to being eaten, such as an orange or banana, should be peeled prior to the recital of blessing, in order to diminish as much as possible in an interval between the blessing and eating. Nonetheless, one should be aware to leave the fruit and vegetable whole, such as not to take apart the orange until after the blessing is recited. Likewise, the above only applies to fruits and vegetables that need to be peeled prior to being eaten, however those fruits and vegetables that contain edible peels [i.e. apples, pears, carrots, and cucumbers], should not be peeled until after the blessing, in order for it to be considered Shaleim.[13] Large fruits:[14] Some write that by very large fruits such as watermelons, and coconut, pineapple, one is to first peel it and cut a piece off prior to saying the blessing.   Should one cut the Karpas [or apple dipped in honey] before the blessing? Seemingly, due to the Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to recite the blessing of Hadama on a whole vegetable, one is not to cut the onion, or potato [or other whole Karpas vegetable chosen] until after the blessing of Hadama.[15] However, some Poskim[16] rule that one is to cut the Karpas into small pieces which are less than a Kezayis for both himself and the participants, prior to saying the blessing. Practically, the Rebbe said a blessing on a piece of an onion for Karpas and not a whole onion.[17]   From the Rav’s Desk Question: I know that whenever one has a whole loaf or roll of bread one should say Hamotzi over a Shaleim and not over a slice. My question is does the same apply to crackers, for example if I have a broken cracker and a whole cracker should I say Mezonos on a whole cracker. Answer: Yes, the same law applies to Mezonos just as to Hamotzoi, and hence due to a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar, you should always precede the Shaleim, whole cracker, to the cracked cracker and say the blessing of Mezonos on the whole cracker. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this Halacha and simply take a broken cracker from the batch when they could have easily chosen a whole one. Sources: Seder Birchas Hanehnin 10:1 and Admur 168:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:1 that the same applies to Mezonos  Question: I came a little late for a Seuda and there were no more whole loaves available, as they were all broken into. Is there any preference regarding which of the broken loaves I say Hamotzi over such as a small broken loaf versus a large broken loaf, and should I cut a piece off one of the loaves before I say the blessing? For example, if three quarters of the Challah is still intact, should I first cut off a slice from it and then say Hamotzi, or should I first say Hamotzi and only then cut off the slice? Answer: It is a clear ruling in the Talmud and Poskim that you are to prefer the largest available loaf or largest available slice of bread for the saying of Hamotzi. Thus, if you have a number of loaves of bread that were broken into on the table, you are to say a blessing on the largest of the loaves, and only after the blessing are you to cut off a piece. The only exception to this is in the case that the loaves of bread are made of different flours, and have different taste and qualities in which case you are to say the blessing on the greater quality loaf or slice of bread. Explanation: The concept of making a blessing over a Shaleim is quite well known, and hence whenever one has a whole loaf of bread on the table, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar for the blessing of Hamotzi to be said over the whole loaf versus over the slices of bread or a half a loaf. Now, what people are not aware of is that this concept likewise extends to larger versus smaller pieces of bread or loaves. Meaning that just like a whole loaf should be preferred to half a loaf, so too a larger loaf should be preceded to a smaller loaf, and that even a larger slice of bread should be preceded to a smaller slice of bread. Accordingly, even when there is no Shaleim on the table, one should still choose the largest piece of bread for the Hamotzi blessing, and hence if there are slices of bread and a half of a loaf on the table, the blessing should be said on the half a loaf. Likewise, one should not cut a slice off from the half a loaf before the blessing and say a blessing over the slice. Sources: See Admur 168:5; 167:3 [regarding not cutting from half a loaf until after blessing]; Seder Birchas Hanehnin 10:3; Luach Birchas Hanhenin 3:3; Michaber 168:2; Brachos 39b; M”A 167:4; Mordechai Remez 129; Hagahos Maimanis Brachos 7:4

Food Type/Situation	Guideline for Blessing	When to Cut/Peel	Notes
Whole Fruit/Vegetable	Preferable to say blessing (Haeitz/Hadama) on the whole item	After the blessing	Even if there’s a delay between blessing and eating, this is not an issue
Large Fruits (e.g. Watermelon, Coconut, Pineapple)	Opinions differ; often say blessing while whole	Sometimes cut/peel before blessing	If difficult to eat, permitted to cut/peel before blessing
Fruit/Vegetable Needing Checking (for worms/edibility)	Check/open before blessing	Before blessing	So the blessing isn’t in vain
Loaf of Bread	Blessing (Hamotzi) on whole loaf	Weekday: Partially cut before blessing; Shabbat/Holidays: Not at all before blessing	Don’t fully separate the piece before blessing
Large vs. Small Pieces of Food (including bread, cake, soup, etc.)	Bless on larger piece	Cut after blessing	Applies to solids and liquids (e.g., soup in bowl)
Cake	Bless on whole cake	Cut after blessing	No need to cut even partially before blessing
Fruits/Vegetables Needing Peeling (e.g., orange, banana)	Peel before blessing, but keep as whole as possible	Peel before blessing	For fruits with edible peels, wait to peel until after blessing
Karpas (e.g., onion, potato for Passover)	Preferable not to cut before blessing, but some cut into small pieces	Usually cut after blessing	Customs may vary; follow community practice
Crackers	Bless on whole cracker	After blessing	Prefer whole over broken cracker; same as bread
Broken Loaves of Bread	Bless on the largest available piece	After blessing	If loaves differ in quality, bless on higher quality one

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[1] See Seder 9:2; 10:1 and 6; Luach 3:1 and 6:2; Admur 167:3; 168:1; 206:3; Ketzos Hashulchan 37:3; 55:3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:13

[2] Seder 9:2; 10:6; Luach 3:6; M”A 211:1; Rambam Brachos 7:4; Brachos 39a; Shelah Shaar Haosiyos Os Kuf and Dinei Birchas Hanehnin Kelal 5:4; Elya Raba 202:1; Chidushei Tzemach Tzedek 197b; Shaareiy Teshuvah 202:1; Elya Raba 202:1

[3] Vetzaruch Iyun why Admur does not write to cut part of the fruit partially, just like Admur 167:3 rules regarding bread! What’s the difference? Likewise, Admur 206:8 implies there is no issue with stabbing the fruit prior to the blessing.

[4] Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:13 footnote 45

[5] See Admur 167:3

[6] Seder 9:2; Luach 6:2; Admur 206:3; M”A 205:4; Bach 206; Elya Raba 202:1; Shelah Shaar Haosiyos Os Kuf and Dinei Birchas Hanehnin Kelal 5:4; Sefer Chassidim 849; See Shaareiy Teshuvah 202:1

[7] Admur 167:3; Ketzos Hashulchan 37:

[8] Seder Birchas Hanehnin 10:3; Luach Birchas Hanhenin 3:3; Admur 168:5; 167:3 [regarding not cutting from half a loaf until after blessing]; Michaber 168:2 and 4; Tur 168; Implication of Brachos 39b; M”A 167:4; 168:7; Mordechai Remez 129 in name of Maharam; Tosafus Brachos ibid; Rosh 6:21; Hagahos Maimanis Brachos 7:4; M”B 167:5

[9] Tehila Ledavid 167:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:11 footnote 37

[10] Tehila Ledavid 167:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:11 footnote 37

[11] So explicitly rules Admur 167:3 “However by a thin cake even during the week one does not need to cut it at all prior to the blessing as the year is no delay between the breaking off of a piece after the blessing.”

[12] Implication of Poskim ibid that only by a nut should it be broken before ethe blessing to check if it has worms; Shelah Shaar Haosiyos Os Kuf and Dinei Birchas Hanehnin Kelal 5:4; Chidushei Tzemach Tzedek 197b; Shaareiy Teshuvah 202:1; Elya Raba 202:1; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:13 footnote 42-44; Rav Alyashvili Seder 9 footnote 18

[13] Implication of all Poskim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid;  Rav Alyashvili ibid

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that even in this case one is to first peel the fruit and then say the blessing. [See Shaareiy Teshuvah and Elya Raba ibid who imply that whenever there will be a large Hefsek, then one is to be peel it first; Aruch Hashulchan 202:11; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 44 that so did Chasam Sofer]

[14] Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:13 footnote 45

[15] See Admur Seder 9:2, Luach 6:2, and 206:3 that one is to not cut a fruit until after the blessing, as it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar to say the blessing on a whole food. Now, this is not considered a Hefsek as it is done for the sake of the eating

[16] Kitzur SHU”A 119:3

[17] See Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 134