*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Donate- What after blessing to say when in doubt:
- In doubt if must say Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos:[1]
Any food in which there is doubt as to whether its after blessing is Meiyn Gimel or Borei Nefashos Rabos, is to be eaten within a meal. If one does not want to eat it within a meal, then he is to eat with it a food that is Borei Nefashos Rabos and a food that is Meiyn Gimel of that type of food that is being held in question. For example, if one is in doubt whether a certain dish that contains five grains receives an after blessing of Meiyn Gimel or Borei Nefashos Rabos [i.e. whole kernels, as explained next], then he is to eat [a Kezayis within Peras] of a Mezonos and another food that is certainly Borei Nefashos Rabos, and is then to say Al Hamichyah and Borei Nefashos Rabos and exempt the questionable dish either way.[2]
- Example – Whole kernels:[3] Grains of the five grains which have been cooked in liquid or roasted in a way that their kernels have remained completely whole [including their peel] then although their before blessing is Ha’adama, nevertheless, it is questionable whether their after blessing is Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos and therefore if one does not desire to eat them within a meal then one may say a Bracha Rishona and Achrona on a Ha’adama and Mezonos food and have the grains included in its Brach Achrona.[4]
| What to do if one does not have ability to eat both a Mezonos and Borei Nefashos food?If one does not have both a Mezonos and Borei Nefashos food available, and does not want to eat it within a meal, then initially he is not to eat the Safek food at all.[5]Already ate: If, however, he already ate the Safek food, then if he has one of the foods available, he is to eat one of those foods. Thus, if he has a Mezonos food available, he is to eat a Mezonos food and say only Al Hamichyeh and if he has a Borei Nefashos food available, he is to eat it and say only Borei Nefashos.[6] In addition, if he does not have a Mezonos food available, he is to drink wine and recite Al Hagafen or eat a 7 Minim fruit and recite Al Hapeiros, and then include the Al Hamichyeh in the blessing of Al Hagafen or Al Hapeiros due to the doubt.[7] This applies even if he has a Borei Nefashos food available. If no foods are available, he is not to say any after blessing, neither Al Hamichyeh nor Borei Nefashos.[8] |
- In doubt on fruit if must say Al Hapeiros or Borei Nefashos:[9]
Any fruit in which there is doubt as to whether it is from the seven Minim and hence there is doubt as to whether it’s after blessing is Al Hapeiros or Borei Nefashos Rabos, is to be eaten within a meal. If one does not want to eat it within a meal then he is to eat with it a fruit that is for certain from the seven Minim and recite Al Hapeiros and exempt the questionable fruit either way. It is not necessary to eat another food to recite Borei Nefashos Rabos.[10]
Does not have Shivas Haminim fruit:[11] If one does not have a 7 Minim fruit available it does not help to drink wine and recite Al Hagafen or eat a Mezonos food and recite Al Hamichyeh, and then include the Al Haperios in the blessing of Al Hagafen or Al Hamichyah due to the doubt. Rather one is to eat it within a meal. Nevertheless, after the fact, if one went ahead and ate it outside of a meal, then if he eats Al Hagafen or Al Hamichyah he should mention Al Hapeiros within the blessing due to doubt. [Thus in summary: If one does not have a seven Minim fruit available, and does not want to eat it within a meal, then he is not to eat it at all.[12] If however he already ate it, then if he has a Borei Nefashos food available, he is to eat it and say only Borei Nefashos.[13] In addition, if he does not have an Al Hapeiros fruit available, he is to drink wine and recite Al Hagafen or eat Mezonos and recite Al Hamichyeh, and then include the Al Hapeiros in the blessing of Al Hagafen or Al Hamichyeh due to the doubt.[14] This applies even if he has a Borei Nefashos food available. If no foods are available, some Poskim[15] rule he is to say an after blessing of Al Hapeiros although not the blessing of Borei Nefashos Rabos.[16] Other Poskim[17] however rule he is not to say Al Hapeiors, and is thus not to say any after blessing.[18] Practically, one is not to say any blessing.[19] Certainly, he is not to recite the after blessing of Borei Nefashos, as Safek Brachos Lihakel.[20]]
- Adding the Nusach of Al Hamichya, Al Hagfen, or Al Hapeiros in case of doubt:[21]
Lechtachila: Based on the previous Halacha we learn that whenever one is in doubt as to whether Meiyn Gimel needs to be said after a certain food, then he is either to eat the food within a meal, or eat a Kezayis of two other foods of the questionable after blessing. If the above options are not applicable, then he is not to eat the food at all even if he has one of the two foods available. This applies even if he has both a Borei Nefashos food available and another Meiyn Gimel food available, as initially one may not add an additional stanza to Meiyn Gimel in a case in which it is questionable whether it is warranted.[22]
Bedieved:[23] All the above however is only Lechatchila, however if one already ate the food and if an after blessing is not recited then he will transgress not saying an after blessing, then in such a case if one can eat another Meiyn Gimel food then he should do so and include the questionable stanza within the Nusach due to doubt.
- Example – Less than Revius of wine:[24] If one drank a Kezayis but less then a Revius of wine or grape juice then if one already ate a Kezayis of Mezonos or Zayin Minim fruits in addition to the less than a Revius of wine, then one should include an Al Hagafen in Meiyn Gimel due to the doubt.
- Example – Ate a Berya of the seven species:[25] If one ate a Berya fruit, such as a single whole grape or a single pomegranate seed, then if he already ate a Kezayis of Mezonos, then one should include an Al Hapeiros in Meiyn Gimel due to the doubt.
- Unsure if said after blessing:[26] If one ate a Kezayis of seven species fruit and is unsure if he recited an after blessing, then if he already ate a Kezayis of Mezonos, then one should include an Al Hapeiros in Meiyn Gimel due to the doubt.
- Unsure if ate a Kezayis:[27] If one ate seven species fruit and is unsure if he ate a Kezayis within four minutes [or ate a Shiur Kexayis within Peras in accordance to only one opinion[28], i.e. 17 grams within 11 minutes], then if he already ate a Kezayis of Mezonos, then one should include an Al Hapeiros in Meiyn Gimel due to the doubt.
| Situation | Guideline | Example | If Can’t Combine Foods | Already Ate | No Foods Available After Eating |
| Doubt: Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos | Eat within a meal or with both a Borei Nefashos and Meiyn Gimel food | Whole kernels of five grains: eat Mezonos + Borei Nefashos food | Do not eat the Safek food | If has Mezonos, eat and say Al Hamichya; if has Borei Nefashos, eat and say Borei Nefashos; if no Mezonos, drink wine or eat 7 Minim and include Al Hamichya in blessing | Do not say any after blessing |
| Doubt: Al Hapeiros or Borei Nefashos on fruit | Eat within a meal or with a certain seven Minim fruit and say Al Hapeiros | Fruit possibly from 7 Minim: eat with definite 7 Minim fruit | Do not eat it | If has Borei Nefashos, eat and say Borei Nefashos; if no Al Hapeiros fruit, drink wine or eat Mezonos and include Al Hapeiros in blessing | Do not say any after blessing |
| Adding extra phrases to Meiyn Gimel due to doubt | Do not add unless already ate and no other option | Less than Revius wine: if also ate Mezonos or 7 Minim, include Al Hagafen in Meiyn Gimel | Not applicable | If already ate, include questionable stanza in blessing if ate other food | Do not say any after blessing |
| Summary | Eat in meal or combine with certain foods; if already ate, eat another food and say appropriate blessing; if none, do not bless | Unsure blessing: eat with known food | Do not eat questionable food | Eat another food and say blessing to cover both | Do not recite any after-blessing |
[1] Seder 1:19; Luach 1:18; Admur 202:12; Michaber 202:11; Terumos Hadeshen 30; Taz 208:19
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that Borei Nefashos is a Bracha Koleles just like Shehakol and is Bedieved a valid after blessing for any food, even bread and therefore in a case of doubt, its after blessing is to be recited. [Kneses Hagedola brought in M”A 202:26; Kaf Hachaim 202:79; 204:38; 208:38 and 92; Eretz Tzevi 1:29 [however he later contradicts himself in 2:389]; Igros Moshe O.C. 1:74; Beir Moshe 3:35 in name of Rav Akiva Eiger; See Yabia Omer 1:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 6] Accordingly, if one already ate a Shiur of bread/Mezonos/7 Minim and does not have a Siddur to Bentch, he is to say Borei Nefashos. [Igros Moshe ibid]
[2] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; See also Seder 3:2 and 7:13
[3] See Seder 1:8; See chapter 10 Halacha 9
[4] Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3; However, to note however that some Rabbanei Chabad negate this option saying that a G-d fearing person is to eat it specifically in a meal. As well Tzaruch Iyun as Admur does not give this option, rather stating that when eating it out of a meal one is to say Borei Nefashos, and does not mention also eating Mezonos.
[5] Ketzos Hashulchan 60 footnote 12
[6] See Luach 1:20; Ketzos Hashulchan 60:6
[7] Seder 1:20 and Luach 1:19 regarding case of Safek Al Hapeiros [brought next] and the same would apply to Safek Al Hamichyah, and so is implied from Luach 1:20 “If he does not have anything Meiyn Shalosh to include the Safek Al Hamichyeh in its blessing” and so rules Ketzos Hashulchan 60:6
[8] Luach 1:20; Ketzos Hashulchan 60:6; Omitted from Seder ibid
[9] Seder 1:20; Luach 1:19; M”A 208:26; Elya Raba 208:27; Terumos Hadeshen 30
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that Borei Nefashos is a Bracha Koleles just like Shehakol and is Bedieved a valid after blessing for any food, even bread and therefore in a case of doubt, its after blessing is to be recited. [Kneses Hagedola brought in M”A 202:26; Kaf Hachaim 202:79; 204:38; 208:38 and 92; Eretz Tzevi 1:29 [however he later contradicts himself in 2:389]; Igros Moshe O.C. 1:74; Beir Moshe 3:35 in name of Rav Akiva Eiger; See Yabia Omer 1:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 6] Accordingly, if one already ate a Shiur of bread:Mezonos:7 Minim and does not have a Siddur to Bentch, he is to say Borei Nefashos. [Igros Moshe ibid]
[10] As explained in Seder 1:14, brought above in Halacha 13D
[11] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; [See also Admur 188:13 and footnote 121 there]; Michaber and Rama 208:18; Taz 208:19 in explanation of Michaber ibid; Terumos Hadeshen 30; Elya Raba 208:28; Mamar Mordechai 208:37; P”M 208 M”Z 19; Chayeh Adam 51:20; M”B 208:82; Kaf Hachaim 208:91-93; Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:24
[12] Ketzos Hashulchan 60 footnote 12
[13] See Luach 1:20; Ketzos Hashulchan 60:6
[14] Seder 1:20 and Luach 1:19 regarding case of Safek Al Hapeiros [brought next] and the same would apply to Safek Al Hamichyah, and so is implied from Luach 1:20 “If he does not have anything Meiyn Shalosh to include the Safek Al Hamichyeh in its blessing” and so rules Ketzos Hashulchan 60:6
[15] Luach 1:20 “If he does not have anything else to enter the questionable fruit it in its blessing, then he is to say Al Haeitz, although not Borei Nefashos”; M”A 208:26; P”M 208 A”A 26; Shiyurei Bracha 207, brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 207:1; M”B 207:1; Ketzos Hashulchan 60:3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 207:2
[16] The reason: As we rule that one who eats a fruit of 7 Minim and a fruit of non-7 Minim does not have to say an after blessing of Borei Nefashos as it is included in the Al Haeitz. [Admur Seder 1:14 and 20; Michaber 208:13] Thus we see that all fruits are included in Al Haeitz. [M”A ibid; P”M ibid]
[17] Elya Raba 208:27, brought in P”M ibid; Admur in Seder 1:20 omitted that which he wrote in Luach 1:20, thus implying that it never helps to say Al Haeitz on a fruit that is not of Zayin Minim, even in a case of doubt; Shulchan Hatahor 207:6, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 207:2 footnote 5
[18] As rules Admur Luach 1:20 regarding Safek Al Hamichyeh
[19] As Safek Brachos Lihakel, and perhaps Admur in Seder holds it may not be said and so is implied.
[20] Luach ibid; Taz 208:19; Elya Raba 208:28; See also Admur 188:13 and footnote 121 there
[21] See Seder 1:20; Luach 1:19; Taz 208:19; M”A 208:26; Elya Raba 208:27; Terumos Hadeshen 30; Mamar Mordechai 208:37; P”M 208 M”Z 19; Chayeh Adam 51:20; M”B 208:82; Kaf Hachaim 208:91-93; Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:24
[22] This is learned from this is learned from Seder and Luach ibid in B who initially prohibit doing so even in a case that a person ate fruits which are questionably from the seven species, in which case according to some opinions quoted there, one is Yotzei Bedieved on all fruits if he said the stanza of Al Hapeiros, and even so we still prohibit initially adding this Nusach. Certainly than if it is a food which is questionably Yotzei with the added Nusach, then one may not initially eat the questionable food on the basis that he will add the stanza.
[23] All Poskim ibid regarding fruits; Chasan Sofer 1; Chayeh Adam 50:20; Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 3 regarding wine; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnotes 179-180
[24] Chasan Sofer 1; Chayeh Adam 50:20; Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 3; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnotes 179 [See Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 3 who applies this to a person who drank less than a Revius of wine, but more than a Kezayis. However, from the original case brought in Admur and the Poskim ibid one can argue that it is only by questionable fruits that it is permitted to add the additional of Al Hapeiros as in any event according to many Poskim one who recites the after blessing of Al Hapeiros on regular fruits is Yotzei Bedieved. This is in contrast to if an after blessing is not warranted in which case one can argue that one may not make a questionable interval in the middle of the after blessing. [See Rav Alyashvili Seder 8 footnote 15] Practically however, the Ketzos Hashulchan ibid applies this ruling to all cases.
Other opinions: Rav Alyashvili Seder 8 footnote 15 concludes that since there is a doubt as to whether one is obligated at all in an after blessing, it is therefore not similar to the case in Seder ibid and hence the additional stanza is not to be added.
[25] Chasan Sofer 1; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnotes 179
[26] P”M 209 M”Z 3; M”B 208:10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:24
[27] Chayeh Adam 50:20; Zechor Leavraham 2; SSH”K 54 footnote 71; Yechaveh Daas 6:14; Mishneh Halachos 4:29; 5:36; Shraga Hameir 3:4; Igros Moshe 2:109 [permits by even if a less than the amount for certain]; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnotes 179
[28] Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 1
