8. Other matters of interval [i.e. business, video, Torah study, rest without sleep, etc]:^[1]

Making an interval in middle of a meal of bread, or in middle and eating session of a food or beverage, for the sake of dealing with other matters, is not considered a Hefsek which requires the blessing to be repeated. This applies even if one had a very long occupation with these other matters that do not relate to the food [so long as Shiur Ikkul has yet to pass]. [The general rule is as follows:[2] Any matter that a person normally stops to do in middle of an activity is considered a mere temporary act, and is not considered a removal of the mind.] This, however, only applies in the area of one’s eating, however, if one switches locations in the interim, that this is subject to the laws of blessing repetition due to change of location explained in chapter 20. Likewise, this unanimously only applies if one did not remove his mind from the eating, however, if one removed his mind from eating any more, then this is subject to the laws explained in Halacha 3, and the distinction between a bread meal versus other foods and beverages, and a dispute relevant to a bread meal as explained there.

• Example – Torah study: During a Shabbos meal if one stops eating to learn Torah, he may resume eating without a repeating the blessing even if he spent much time learning.
• Example – Shiurim on Yom Kippur:[3] One who contains a lethal condition and eats on Yom Kippur according to the Shiurim is not required to recite a new blessing upon eating every 11 minutes.

[1] See Admur 178:8 “So long as one was awake then even if he has spent much time with other matters in the area of his meal then he is to return and eat without a blessing”; Rama 178:7 “and so too if one made an interval with other mundane matters”; Kaf Hachaim 178:41; Piskeiy Teshuvos 178:20

[2] Levush 178; Zechor Leavraham Os Samech; Kaf Hachaim 178:41

[3] Daas Torah 178