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Donate- Location of recital – Must the after blessing be recited in the area of eating?
- Borei Nefashos foods:[1]
The after blessing of Borei Nefashos is not required to be recited in the location of which the food was eaten, or the location in which the beverage was consumed and rather it is permitted for him to get up from his place prior to saying the after blessing and to walk to another area and say the after blessing there.[2] [Nevertheless, even by Borei Nefashos foods, one is to initially recite the after blessing prior to leaving the area in order so he does not forget to recite it.[3]]
- Example: If someone eats a piece of apple and drinks a cup of juice, both requiring the Borei Nefashos after blessing, they do not need to remain at the table where they ate and drank. They may leave that area and recite the Borei Nefashos blessing elsewhere. Still, it is preferable to say the blessing before moving, to avoid forgetting to do so.
- Meiyn Gimel foods – Al Hamichya, Al Hapeiros, Al Hagafen:[4]
Some Poskim[5] rule that all foods of the seven species, including fruits and wine, require their after blessing of Meiyn Gimel to be recited in their location of eating.[6] [However, according to all opinions, cooked five grain foods that are Ha’adama do not require an after blessing to be recited in their eating location.] Other Poskim[7], however, rule that only Al Hamichya foods require their after blessing of Meiyn Gimel to be recited in their location of eating.[8] Other Poskim[9], however, rule that only Hamotzi bread require their after blessing of Birchas Hamazon to be recited in their location of eating. Practically, one is initially to be stringent by all the seven Minim to always recite Meiyn Shalosh in their original area of eating [and not to switch areas prior to doing so[10]].
Bedieved if one switched areas: Bedieved if one switched areas then some learn from the wording in Seder ibid that there is no need to return to the original area to recite the after blessing of Meiyn Gimel, and only initially one should not leave. Practically, however, one should return to his original area if he can.
- Example: Example: Someone eats a bowl of pasta (made from the five grains, requiring Al Hamichya) and drinks a glass of wine (requiring Al Hagafen) while sitting in their dining room. It is best for them to recite the after blessings—both Al Hamichya and Al Hagafen—while still in the dining room, at the place where they ate and drank. Even if it feels more convenient to move to another room, the preferred practice is to remain in the original location to say these blessings. However, if the person forgets and moves to another room before reciting the after blessings, some authorities permit saying Al Hamichya and Al Hagafen in the new location, although it is ideal not to switch places before completing the blessings.
- Birchas Hamazon:[11]
One is obligated to recite Birchas Hamazon in his original location of eating bread.
Bedieved if one switched areas: See Volume 2 for the full details of this matter! If one left his original location in middle of a Hamotzi meal, then if he has bread to eat in his current location, then he may consume any quantity of that bread and bentch there. This applies even if they did not initially intend to do so when saying Hamoitzi. However, if no bread is available then the individual should return to their original location to recite the blessing, unless: a) His food will digest by the time he returns to his original place and he will no longer be able to bentch, or b) He is not able to return due to some “Oness” and he forgot and left his original place by mistake.
| Summary: · Borei Nefashos blessings do not need to be recited in the place where the food or drink was consumed, but it is best to do so in order not to forget. · After blessings for foods of the seven species (Meiyn Shalosh, such as Al Hamichya, Al Hapeiros, Al Hagafen) should be recited in the same location as the meal; moving is discouraged but allowed if already done. · Birchas Hamazon must be recited in the place where the bread was eaten. If one moves, special rules apply depending on if bread is available in the new location or if returning is not possible. |
| Blessing Type | Foods/Drinks | Location Requirement | Initial Recommendation | If Moved Before Blessing | Examples |
| Borei Nefashos | apple, juice | Not required in eating/drinking location | Preferable to recite before leaving area | May recite elsewhere | Eat apple & drink juice, may leave table to bless |
| Meiyn Gimel (Al Hamichya, Al Hapeiros, Al Hagafen) | seven species, fruits, wine, pasta (five grains) | Should be recited in eating location | Be stringent to recite in original area | Some permit reciting in new location, but best to return | Eat pasta & drink wine, best to bless in dining room |
| Birchas Hamazon | bread | Obligated in original eating location | Must recite where bread was eaten | If bread in new location, eat & bless there; if not, return unless not possible | Left table during meal, may eat bread in new place and bless |
[1] Admur 178:3; Rashbam Pesachim 101b; All Poskim in: Seder 9:15; Luach 6:15; Michaber and Rama 178:5; Tur 178; Ketzos Hashulchan 57:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:1 and 18
[2] Nevertheless, even by Birei Nefashos foods, one is to initially recite the after blessing prior to leaving the area in order so he does not forget to recite it. [Kaf Hachaim 178:26 in name of Achronim]
[3] M”B 178:36; Kaf Hachaim 178:26 in name of Achronim; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:12
[4] Seder 9:15; Luach 6:15; Admur 178:3; Michaber and Rama 178:5; Tur 178; Ketzos Hashulchan 57:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:1 and 18
[5] 1st opinion in Seder ibid, Luach ibid and Admur ibid, Michaber ibid, Tur ibid; Rambam Brachos 4:1; Rashi and Rashbam Pesachim 102a
[6] The reason: As the after blessing of Meiyn Gimel is of enough importance to require it to be said in the area in which the eating took place. [Seder ibid]
[7] 2nd opinion in Seder ibid, Luach ibid and Admur ibid, Michaber ibid, Tur ibid; Rosh Pesachim 10:6; Rif Pesachim 20a; Tosafus Pesachim 102a
[8] The reason: As only food which is called Mazon is of enough importance to require its after blessing to be said in the area in which the eating took place. [Seder ibid]
[9] 3rd opinion in Seder ibid, Luach ibid and Admur ibid; Rama 178:5; Hagahos Maimanis on Rambam ibid Os Alef; Rashba Brachos 53a
[10] See Rama 178:1; Kaf Hachaim 178:25 and 26; 174:35
The reason: This is primarily due to entering a doubt regarding the repetition of their before blessing if one plans to continue eating. However, in addition it is also due to a prohibition relevant to foods that require an after blessing in their place of eating, which prohibits one to leave ones area prior to reciting the after blessing lest one forget to return. [See Rama 178:1; Kaf Hachaim 178:25; 174:35] An additional reason to not leave ones area prior to reciting the after blessing, is because one may forget to say it. [Kaf Hachaim 178:26] The practical ramifications are regarding Kavana, that according to the first reason, even if one had intent to switch areas and continue eating in the second area, he may not do so due to entering himself into a doubt.
[11] Seder 9:15-17 [according to all opinions], Luach 6:15; Admur 178:3 and 8; Michaber and Rama 178:5 that so applies according to all; Tur 178; Rambam Brachos 4:1; Rashi and Rashbam Pesachim 102a; Hagahos Maimanis on Rambam ibid Os Alef; Rashba Brachos 53a; Rosh Pesachim 10:6; Rif Pesachim 20a; Tosafus Pesachim 102a; Rav Chisda in Pesachim 101b and 102a; Bach 178; Taz 178:9; Soles Belula 1; P”M 178 A”A 12; Chayeh Adam 59:15; Derech Hachaim 1; Kitzur SHU”A 42:19; Zechor Leavraham 60 that the Achronim rule like Rama; Chesed Lealafim 178:1; Yifei Laleiv 178:2; Ben Ish Chaiy Behalosecha 2; Kaf Hachaim 178:1 and 8, 13-14; Ketzos Hashulchan 41:1; 57:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:1 and 13 footnote 63
