How much is Kdei Achilas Peras?

The theoretical measurement in bread eating:[1]

The debate: Kdei Achilas Peras is the amount of time it takes to eat a half a loaf of bread.[2] Now, it is disputed amongst the Poskim as to the volume contained within this loaf. This dispute relates to Yom Kippur all Torah prohibitions, whether Biblical or Rabbinical.[3] Some Poskim[4] rule it refers to a loaf which contains the volume of six eggs, and thus Kdei Achials Peras is the amount of time it takes to eat three Kibeitza’s [i.e. egg volume worth] of bread. Other Poskim[5] rule this refers to a loaf which contains the volume of eight eggs, and thus Kdei Achials Peras is the amount of time it takes to eat four Kibeitza’s [i.e. egg volume worth] of bread. Practically, regarding all Biblical matters one is to be stringent like the more stringent opinion, while regarding all Rabbinical matters one may be lenient like the more lenient opinion.[6]

The Shiur for Yom Kippur:[7] Regarding the eating Shiurim for a dangerously ill person on Yom Kippur we hold that Kdei Achilas Peras is four Kibeitza’s worth of bread eating.

The Shiur by Matzah of Motzi Matzah:[8] Regarding the eating of Matzah to fulfill the Biblical Mitzvah, we rule that Kdei Achilas Peras is three Kibeitza’s worth of bread eating. Thus, one must consume the Kezayis of Matzah within three Kebeitza worth of eating. 

The Shiur by Matzah of Koreich and Afikoman, and for Maror:[9] Regarding the eating of Matzah and Maror to fulfill the Rabbinical Mitzvah of Maror, Koreich and Afikoman, we rule that Kdei Achilas Peras is four Kibeitza’s worth of bread eating. Thus, one must consume the Matzah within three Kebeitza worth of eating. 

The Shiur by an after blessing:[10] Regarding an after blessing, one is to be stringent like the more stringent opinion and hence to be able to say an after blessing one must consume the food within three Kebeitza worth of eating.

The practical time in minutes:[11]

The debate: There are various opinions regarding the number of minutes it takes to eat 3 or 4 Kebeitza’s of bread, and hence the practical time of Kdei Achilas Peras is under debate. The following are the various opinions in the Poskim: Some Poskim[12] rule that Kdei Achilas Peras is 2 minutes. Other Poskim[13] rule that Kdei Achilas Peras is 3 minutes. Some Poskim[14] rule that Kdei Achilas Peras is 4 minutes. Some Poskim[15] rule that the Shiur of Kdei Achilas Peras is 6-8 minutes. Some Poskim[16] rule that the Shiur of Kdei Achilas Peras is 9 minutes.

The Shiur by an after blessing:[17] Practically, one is to eat a Kezayis of food within 3 minutes, and at the very least within four minutes, to say an after blessing.

The Shiur for Yom Kippur:^[18] One who is required to eat or drink according to Shiurim on Yom Kippur is to initially consider Kdei Achilas Peras as nine minutes.

The Shiur by Matzah for Motzi Matzah:[19] Practically, one is to eat the Biblical Kezayis of Matzah within 3 minutes, and at the very least within four minutes.

The Shiur by Matzah for Koreich, and Afikoman:[20] One is to eat the Kezayis of Matzah within 5 minutes, and at the very least within nine minutes. Nonetheless, initially it is best to eat the food within 3-4 minutes, as ruled above regarding the Biblical Kezayis. [21]

The Shiur by Maror for Maror and Koreich:[22] One is to eat the Kezayis of Maror within 5 minutes, and at the very least within nine minutes. Nonetheless, initially it is best to eat the food within 3-4 minutes, as ruled above regarding the Biblical Kezayis of Matzah. [23]

The four cups: Initially one is to drink the entire cup of wine, or at the very least majority of the cup of wine, in one shot. Bedieved, one fulfills his obligation if he drinks Malei Lugmav within 3-4 minutes, and at the very least within nine minutes.

Child, sick or old:[24] A child, or one who is sick or old and has difficulty eating the Matzah/Maror within the above time, may be lenient to eat it within nine minutes. If one cannot do so even within nine minutes, then a blessing is not to be recited prior.

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[1] See Admur and Michaber 612:4; Shiurei Torah 3:15; Piskeiy Teshuvos 475:10

[2] See Chazon Ish O.C. Kuntrus Hashiurim 39:18 that this refers to the amount to time it takes to eat a Peras of bread made of wheat with a dip.

[3] Admur 612:4

[4] Seder Birchas Hanehnin 8:2 in parentheses regarding after blessing; Luach 2:2; Admur 442:1 in parentheses regarding Taaruvos Chametz; Gloss on Mitzvah 6 in Hakdamah to Hilchos Pesach regarding Taaruvos Pesach; Admur 475:8 regarding Matzah; 2^nd opinion in Admur 612:4 “Around three eggs worth not in a dense manner but rather open and spacious”; 2^nd opinion in Michaber 612:4; Rama 612:4; Rambam Shevisas Assur 2:4; Chametz Umatzah 1:6; Rashba Toras Habayis Haruch 4:1-12; Rebbe Yochanon Ben Beroka in Mishneh Eiruvin 82b

[5] 1^st opinion in Admur 612:4 “Around four eggs”; 1^st opinion in Michaber 612:4; Tur 612; Rashi Yuma 80b; Rebbe Shimon in Mishneh Eiruvin 82b

[6] Admur 612:4; M”B 612:8

[7] Admur 612:4; M”B 612:8

[8] Admur 475:8 regarding Matzah; regarding after blessing

[9] Admur 475:8 regarding Matzah; regarding after blessing

[10] Seder Birchas Hanehnin 8:2; Luach 2:2

[11] For a full overview on this subject: See Shiurei Torah 3:15; Sefer Haminhagim ibid and footnotes 342-344; Piskeiy Teshuvos 158:7 and 210:1; 271:9; 475:10

Chabad custom: See Gulot Ariel Chidushei Mishnayos Mikvaos 10:7 in name of Alter Rebbe that the Shiur is two minutes per Beitza for a total of 6 minutes for Rabbinical food Mitzvos and 8 minutes for Yom Kippur [See Shiuriei Torah p. 204]; See Sefer Haminhagim ibid and footnotes 342-344 for a quote of various opinions of Achilas Peras, and for a tradition from the Tzemach Tzedek, in name of Rav Hillel Miparitch, that differs from the response of the Tzemach Tzedek which placed Achilas Peras as 6-7 minutes and rather places Achilas Peras as minimum 3 minutes and maximum 7 minutes. The Rebbe concludes there in the footnote that one is required to suspect for the above tradition. Accordingly, one should try to eat the Kezayis within three minutes. However, if one ate it within four minutes, and perhaps even within 6-7 minutes, one can rely on the Tzemach Tzedek’s other rulings. Vetzaruch Iyun, as perhaps Safek Brachos Lihakel. In any event one is to be very careful in the above.]

[12] Rav Y.Y. Kanievsky in Shiuran Shel Torah Shiureiy Hamitzvos 30

[13] Igros Moshe 4:41 in name of Marcheshes; Orchos Rabbeinu p. 70 that so was custom of Chazon Ish; Sefer Haminhagim ibid and footnotes 342-344 in tradition from the Tzemach Tzedek, in name of Rav Hillel Miparitch, that the minimum of Achilas Peras is 3 minutes and maximum 7 minutes. The Rebbe concludes there in the footnote that one is required to suspect for the above tradition.

[14] Shiurei Torah 3:15 [p. 303]; Aruch Hashulchan 202:8; Kaf Hachaim 210:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 210:1 that so is the widespread custom

[15] Some Poskim rule that the Shiur of Kdei Achilas Peras is 6-7 minutes. [Tzemach Tzedek Shaar Hamiluim 1:8-10, brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 36 footnote 5; 59 footnote 4; Shiureiy Torah ibid footnote 35; Sefer Haminhaghim [English] p. 93 regarding Tishe Beav] Other Poskim rule that the Shiur of Kdei Achilas Peras for 4 Kebeitzim [i.e. Yom Kippur] is 8 minutes, while the Shiur for eating Mitzvos or after blessing is 6 minutes. [Gulot Ariel Chidushei Mishnayos Mikvaos 10:7 in name of Alter Rebbe “I received in the name of my great uncle, the Alter Rebbe, that the Shiur is eight minutes, as he measured the eating an egg by an average person and it took two minutes, and so is my custom to rule”]

[16] Chasam Sofer 6:16; Tzemach Tzedek Shaar Hamiluim 1:8-10, brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 36 footnote 5; M”B 618:21; Shiurei Torah 3:15 [p. 203]; Aruch Hashulchan 202:8; Kaf Hachaim 210:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 210:1; Sefer Haminhagim ibid and footnotes 342-344; See Shiurei Torah 3:15; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[17] See next footnote

^[18] Chasam Sofer 6:16; M”B 618:21; Shiurei Torah 3:15 [p. 203]; Aruch Hashulchan 202:8; Kaf Hachaim 210:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 210:1; Sefer Haminhagim ibid and footnotes 342-344

Opinion of 6-8 minutes: The Tzemach Tzedek [Shaar Hamiluim 1:8-10] records 6-7 minutes regarding the Shiur of Achilas Peras. [Ketzos Hashulchan 36 footnote 5; 59 footnote 4; Shiureiy Torah ibid footnote 35; Sefer Haminhaghim [English] p. 93 regarding Tisha B’av] The above response however is only regarding Tishe Beav, where we can follow the lenient opinion that there are only 3 eggs in a Peras, however by Yom Kippur in which we need to follow the opinion that there are 4 eggs in a Peras, then according to the Tzemach Tzedek it would be 8 minutes. [See Shiureiy Torah ibid footnote 35 that accoridng to Admur and Tzemach tzedek it is 2 minutes per Peras.]

[19] Conclusion of Rebbe in Sefer Haminhagim [English] p. 93 to suspect for three minutes; Conclusion of four minutes: Shiureiy Torah 3:15 [p. 303] and Piskeiy Teshuvos 210:1 that so is the widespread custom; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 475 footnote 53 that if one is in doubt if he ate it within 4 minutes then he is not required to re-eat, and may rely on the other opinions Chabad custom: See Gulot Ariel Chidushei Mishnayos Mikvaos 10:7 in name of Alter Rebbe that the Shiur is two minutes per Beitza for a total of 6 minutes for food Mitzvos and 8 minutes for Yom Kippur [See Shiuriei Torah p. 204]; See Sefer Haminhagim ibid and footnotes 342-344 for a quote of various opinions of Achilas Peras, and for a tradition from the Tzemach Tzedek, in name of Rav Hillel Miparitch, that differs from the response of the Tzemach Tzedek which placed Achilas Peras as 6-7 minutes and rather places Achilas Peras as minimum 3 minutes and maximum 7 minutes. The Rebbe concludes there in the footnote that one is required to suspect for the above tradition. Accordingly, one should try to eat the Kezayis within three minutes. However, if one ate it within four minutes, and perhaps even within 6-7 minutes, one can rely on the Tzemach Tzedek’s other rulings. Vetzaruch Iyun, as perhaps Safek Brachos Lihakel. In any event one is to be very careful in the above.]

[20] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 475:10 that one may be lenient up until five minutes and for a child or one who is sick or weak up until nine minutes. This follows the ruling of Admur ibid that by Rabbinical commands one can be lenient to consider Achilas Peras as 4 Kibeitza of bread.

[21] So rule regarding the dispute of the size of a Kezayis [See Halacha C], and the same would apply here as well regarding the Shiur Achilas Peras: See Shiureiy Torah 3:13; M”B 486:1; Kaf Hachaim 486:1 in explanation of Admur ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 486:2

[22] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 475:10 that one may be lenient up until five minutes and for a child or one who is sick or weak up until nine minutes. This follows the ruling of Admur ibid that by Rabbinical commands one can be lenient to consider Achilas Peras as 4 Kibeitza of bread.

[23] So rule regarding the dispute of the size of a Kezayis [See Halacha C], and the same would apply here as well regarding the Shiur Achilas Peras: See Shiureiy Torah 3:13; M”B 486:1; Kaf Hachaim 486:1 in explanation of Admur ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 486:2

[24] Piskeiy Teshuvos 475:10 that so rule all Poskim