9. Kevius Seuda – The definition of a meal:[1]

In many of the previous laws regarding Mezonos bread and other products [Pas Haba Bekisnin; Teruknin; Lachmaniyos], we stated that if one sets a meal over the food, known as Kevius Seuda, then he is required to recite Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon over the food. In other cases we mentioned that one who sets a meal over it, must eat the food within a meal of real bread. The following law will delineate the exact definition of a meal, and what is Kevius Seuda. In all cases mentioned that the blessing of Mezonos remains even if one sets a meal over the food, then this law is irrelevant.

1. The law:[2]

There is a dispute amongst Rishonim whether the determining factor is satiation[3] or the amount that one eats. Within this latter approach itself, a dispute exists as to whether its amount is 4 Kebeitzim [230 grams] or 6 Kibeitzim [346 grams]. The following is the law:

If one ate less than 4 Kibeitzim [230 grams]: If one ate less than 4 Kibeitzim and he is not satiated then according to all he is to say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If however one assesses that he will be satisfied from this meal, then he is to say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on a Kezayis of real bread [as in such a case it is disputed as to whether it is considered Kevius Seuda]. [This applies only if it is a product which becomes Hamotzi upon setting a meal over it, as explained in the previous Halachas].

• Example: Rachel had a small piece of Mezonos cake weighing 150 grams for breakfast. She did not feel satiated after eating it. Therefore, she said the blessing Mezonos followed by Al Hamichyah as an after-blessing. However, if she had felt satiated, she would have washed her hands and recited Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on real bread.

Ate between 4 Kibeitzim and 6 Kibeitzim [230 grams-346 grams]: If one ate more than 4 Kibeitzim, but less than 6 Kebeitzim, then if he assumes that he will not be satiated from it, then he is to say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If however he assumes that he will be satiated, then he is to say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the Mezonos product [if it is a product which becomes Hamotzi upon setting a meal over it, as explained in the previous Halachas].

• Example: David enjoyed a mid-morning snack consisting of Mezonos cookies weighing 280 grams. He did not feel full after eating them and hence said Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. However, if he had felt satisfied with the same amount, he would have washed his hands and recited Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the Mezonos cookies themselves.

Ate between 6 Kibeitza [346g] and 21 Kibeitza [1244g]: If one ate more than 6 Kibeitzim, but less than 21 Kebeitzim, then if he assumes that he will be satiated, then he is to say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the food itself. However if one assesses that he will not be satiated from this amount, then he is to say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on a Kezayis of real bread [if it is a product which becomes Hamotzi upon setting a meal over it, as explained in the previous Halachas].

• Example: Sarah had a meal of Mezonos pizza weighing 500 grams for lunch. She felt completely full and satisfied after eating. Therefore, she washed her hands and recited Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the pizza itself. If she had not felt full, she would have washed her hands and recited Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on a piece of real bread instead.

If ate 21.5 Beitzim or more [1244g+]:[4] If one ate more than 21 Kibeitzim, then one must wash and say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on this Mezonos bread itself, even if he will not be full [if it is a product which becomes Hamotzi upon setting a meal over it, as explained in the previous Halachas].

• Example: Yonathon celebrated his birthday with a large cake, consuming more than 1500 grams of Mezonos cake. Since he ate more than 21 Kibeitzim, he had to wash his hands, say Hamotzi, and recite Birchas Hamazon on the cake itself whether satisfied or not.

Summary:

One only says Mezonos on Mezonos bread if he is eating under 6 Kibeitzim and he will not be satisfied. One always washes on vc22 Mezonos bread if he will be eating more than 4 Kibeitzim and will be satisfied. One washes on a different piece of bread if he is eating under 4 Kibeitzim and will be satisfied, or he is eating between 6 and 21 Kibeitzim and will not be full.

If one ate less than 4 Kibeitzim [220 grams]: Say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah if not satiated. If satisfied, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on real bread.

Ate between 4 and 6 Kibeitzim [220-330 grams]: If not satiated, say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If satisfied, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the Meozonos bread.

Ate between 6 and 21 Kibeitzim [330-1500 grams]: If satiated, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the food itself. If not, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on real bread.

If ate 21 Beitzim or more [1500+ grams]: Always wash, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the Mezonos bread regardless of satiety.

1. Became full as a result of other foods in addition to the bread:[5]

If an individual consumes bread as well as other foods and becomes satiated from it, then it is regarded as if they became full from the Mezonos bread. Therefore, if they consume more than four Kibeitzim of the bread, then they should wash their hands over it, recite Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon. If they consume less, they should wash their hands over another piece of regular bread.

• Example: If an individual consumes a sandwich containing meat or fish and becomes satiated from it, it is regarded as if they became full from the Mezonos bread. Therefore, if they consumed more than four kibeitzim of the bread, they should wash their hands over it. If they consumed less, they should wash their hands over another piece of regular bread.
• Example: Chava had a sandwich with Mezonos bread along with side dishes and felt full. Because she consumed more than 4 Kibeitzim of the bread, she washed her hands, recited Hamotzi, and Birchas Hamazon. If she had consumed less bread, she would have washed her hands and recited Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on another piece of regular bread.

1. One planned to eat a snack of Mezonos and then changed his mind to eat Shiur Seuda:[6]

In the event that one initially intended to eat less than the amount of a meal of a Mezonos product that can become Hamotzi, and then changed his mind to have more of the product to a size that amounts to a meal, then the procedure is as follows: One is to say an after blessing of Al Hamichyah on what he already ate and then take a break.[7] He is to then wash and say Hamotzi over the remaining Mezonos product and then eat at least 4 Kibetzim worth of the bread, and become full.[8] He recites Birchas Hamazon at its conclusion.

If he does not plan to now eat 4 Kebeitzim in his second eating:[9] If he plans to eat less than 4 Kibeitzim, then he is to say an after blessing, wait and wash on a piece of real bread and recite Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon.

If he did not say an after blessing in-between:[10] If he dis not say an after blessing in-betweena nd simply continued eating, then if he ate to the point of satiation and ate a total of four Kibeitzim or more of the Mezonos product, then he is to recite Birchas Hamazo, even though Hamotzi was not recited beforhand.

• Example: Michael initially planned to have a small snack of Mezonos crackers but then decided to eat a full meal. He first said Al Hamichyah as an after-blessing for the initial portion, took a break, and then washed his hands, recited Hamotzi, and ate the remaining crackers, ensuring to consume at least 4 Kibeitzim. He concluded with Birchas Hamazon.

[1] See Seder 2:1-4; Luach 8:1-2; Admur 168:8; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:18; Shiurei Torah 3, pp. 213-219; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:4-7

[2] See Seder 2:1-2; Admur 168:8

[3] Raavad, brought in Seder ibid, although omitted from Luach ibid and SHU”A 168

[4] Seder ibid; Only opinion brought in Admur 168:8 and Luach 8:1

[5] Seder 2:3; Luach 8:1; Admur 168:8; M”A 184:14; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:19; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:5

[6] See Seder 2:4; Luach 8:2; Admur 168:8; M”A 184:14; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:20; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:6

[7] Seder 2:4

Opinion of Admur in Shulchan Aruch and Lach: One is not to say an after blessing after the first eating and they both combine for Birchas Hamazon. [Admur 168:8; Luach 8:2]

[8] Seder 2:4

[9] Implication of Seder ibid which omits this case, and stipulates the hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on eating four Kebeitzim; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:6 [although he misquotes the Shulchan Aruch for Siddur and mentions that Admur discusses a case of that he will not eat Kevius seuda in his second eating, which is incorrect, as Admur in the Siddur or Shulchan Aruch never mentions such a case.]

[10] Admur 168:8; Luach 8:2