7. Saying a blessing with food in one’s mouth:[1]

It is forbidden to say a blessing [or Daven[2]] while eating food.[3] [Accordingly, one who is chewing gum or sucking on a candy, must remove the gum or candy from his mouth prior to reciting a blessing or Davening. Likewise, if one is in the middle of eating food and desires to say a blessing over a liquid, he is to first swallow the food and then say the blessing. Some are even particular regarding crumbs, to make sure their mouth is free from crumbs of a food prior to saying a blessing.[4] Certainly, one is not to hold an item with his mouth, as some women do upon washing hands to hold their ring using their teeth, while saying the blessing. If saliva accumulates in one’s mouth to the point that it interferes with one’s speech, then he is to swallow it or spit it out prior to saying a blessing.[5]]

Bedieved:[6] Bedieved, if one said a blessing or Davened while a food or other item was in his mouth, he nevertheless fulfills his obligation.

• Example 1: Sarah is chewing gum as she prepares to say a blessing before eating a snack. She remembers the rule and removes the gum from her mouth before reciting the blessing.
• Example 2: David is halfway through a bag of chips when he decides to drink some juice. Before saying the blessing over the juice, he swallows the food in his mouth to ensure he is speaking clearly.
• Example 3: Miriam is about to wash her hands and, not wanting to misplace her ring, holds it between her teeth. She realizes this is inappropriate for reciting the blessing and places the ring aside before proceeding.
• Example 4: While eating crackers, Noah finds his mouth full of crumbs. He takes a moment to clear the crumbs from his mouth before saying a blessing over a new food.
• Example 5: Leah feels that saliva has built up in her mouth, making it hard to speak. Before starting any prayer or blessing, she swallows to make sure her speech is unobstructed.

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[1] Brachos 51a; Yerushalmi Brachos 6:1 [44b]; Michaber 172:2 regarding one who forgot and began eating a food without a blessing; M”A 172:4; Taz 172:2; Ketzos Hashulchan 5:10 “It is forbidden to say a blessing with food in one’s mouth”; Beir Heiytiv 173:3; M”B 173:7 Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 4 Erech Brachos pp. 300

[2] Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 172

[3] The reason: As the verse states “Yimalei Pi Tehilasecha” which means that one’s entire mouth must be involved in praising Hashem. [See Brachos ibid; Beir Heiytiv ibid; M”B ibid; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid]

[4] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 172:5 footnote 28 in name of Divrei Chana Hashaleim 2:81 and Orach Neman 184:25

[5] Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 172

[6] Bach 172; P”M 172 M”Z 2; Evident from ruling of Michaber 172:2 and Brachos 51a; Aruch Hashulchan 172:1

[7] Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 172

[8] Admur 167:9; Seder 9:1; Luach 6:1; M”A 167:16; Shelah Shaar Haosiyos Kuf p. 81; Olas Tamid 167:11; Kaf Hachaim [Falagi] 23:7; Ben Ish Chaiy Emor 14; Kaf Hachaim 167:45; Ketzos Hashulchan 37:7

[9] See Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 172 regarding Amen

[10] Rivivos Efraim 2:69; Piskeiy Teshuvos 172:5

[11] As a) The dentures actually help one verbalize the words better. [Rivios Efraim ibid; Vetzaruch Iyun as many people have speech impairment upon wearing dentures. B) As the dentures have become part of one’s mouth and hence there is no need to remove them.

[12] See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 31 that some would not use dentures due to this issue.

[13] One can suggest that a) They are part of one’s mouth and hence do not form an issue of “Yimalei Pi Tehilasecha”, and b) it is similar to one who said a blessing with food in his mouth in which case if he cannot spit it out, we allow him to say the blessing.