Mezonos bread on Shabbos-Using Mezonos bread for Lechem Mishneh and to fulfill one’s Shabbos Seuda:[1]

* Important note: The law below applies equally to all Mezonos baked products, whether what is known as Mezonos bread, or cookies, cake, and the like which can potentiolly become Hamotzi if one sets a meal over it.

A. Background:

Every person, whether man or woman[2], is [Rabbinically[3]] obligated to eat three meals on Shabbos.[4] Now, how is this meal fulfilled? Through the eating of bread.[5] In addition to this obligation of eating bread, one is also required to break bread [i.e. recite Hamotzi] over two whole[6] loaves, known as Lechem Mishneh.[7] Now, the question is raised as to whether Mezonos products fulfills this obligation, and if Mezonos bread can take the place of regular Hamotzi bread. The first matter that we need to clarify is of whether one can fulfill his obligation of eating a bread meal on Shabbos through eating Mezonos bread. This will be clarified in B. The second matter that needs to be clarified is whether Mezonos bread is valid to be used as one of the two breads for Lechem Mishneh. This will be clarified in C.

B. Using Mezonos bread for the Shabbos meal:

Sets a meal on the Mezonos bread [recites Hamotzi and require Birchas Hamazon]:[8] One who sets a meal on Mezonos products in a way that they become Hamotzi and require Birchas Hamazon, as explained in the laws of blessings[9], fulfills his obligation of eating bread for the Shabbos meal, as in such a case the Mezonos product is considered like actual bread.

Does not set a meal on the Mezonos bread- [i.e. recites Mezonos and Al Hamichyah]:[10] Some Poskim[11]  rule that one who does not set a meal on Mezonos products in a way that they become Hamotzi and require Birchas Hamazon, does not fulfill his obligation of eating bread for the Shabbos meal through eating Mezonos products and reciting Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.[12] However, other Poskim[13] rule that one who eats [at least a Kebeitza[14] of] Mezonos products [which can potentiolly become Hamotzi and require Birchas Hamazon if he were to set a meal over them[15]], fulfills his obligation of eating bread by the Shabbos meal even if he does not eat enough of the Mezonos product for it to actually become Hamotzi and require Birchas Hamazon, and rather recites Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.[16] Furthermore, some Poskim[17] rule that one is to actually recite Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on the Mezonos bread in such a case, even if he only eats a mere Kezayis/Kebeitza. Most Poskim[18], however, negate this ruling and say that the blessing remains Mezonos and Al Hamichyah unless one establishes a meal over it. Practically, we are stringent in this matter, and every person is to beware to eat actual bread on Shabbos and recite Hamotzi and Biorchas Hamazon.[19]]

C. Using Mezonos bread for one of the two breads of Lechem Mishneh:

Some Poskim[20] rule that Mezonos bread cannot be used for Lechem Mishneh [if one does not eat from the Mezonos bread, and simply uses it for Lechem Mishneh and then puts it aside[21]].[22] If, however, one also eats from the Mezonos bread during the meal and sets his meal over it, then it can be used for Lechem Mishneh.[23] One can use two whole Mezonos breads for Lechem Mishneh in such a case.[24] Other Poskim[25], however, rule that Mezonos bread [and all other baked Mezonos products that can potentially become Hamotzi and require Birchas Hamazon[26]] can always be used for Lechem Mishneh even if one does not eat from it.[27] Practically, if one has a whole Hamotzi bread available then Mezonos bread is not to be used for Lechem Mishneh. If, however, the only whole bread one has is Mezonos bread, then it may be used for Lechem Mishneh[28] [and one is to eat also from it during the meal[29]].

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[1] See Ketzos Hashulchan 82 footnote 3 and 5; Tosefes Shabbos 274:1; Machatzis Hashekel 274:1; Kaf Hachaim 274:6 and 24; Piskeiy Teshuvos 274:7

[2] Admur 291:8

[3] See Admur 274:1 that the scriptural source it is a mere Remez; Kuntrus Achron 271:4; M”A 254:23; However, see Taz 678:2

[4] Admur 274:1; Rambam Shabbos 30:9; Shabbos 117b; See also Admur 242:4-5; 249:6, 10; 254:6-7; 267:3; 288:2; 291:1 and 5; 334:1-11; 335:1; 429:7; 529:3

[5] See Admur 274:5; Admur 188:10; 168 Kuntrus Achron 4; Michaber 274:4; Tur 274:4; Tosafus Brachos 49b and Pesachim 101a; Rosh Brachos 7:23 and Pesachim 10:5 This is learned from the fact that the entire source of the three meals is from the verse in Scripture describing the Mun, and the Mun is called bread, hence revealing that also by the three meals one must eat bread. [Admur 274:5; See Shemos 16:15]

[6] Admur ibid; 167:3; 475:3; Michaber 274:1; Tosafos Brachos 39b

[7] Admur 274:2; Michaber 274:1; Brachos 39b; Rebbe Aba in Shabbos 117b

[8] Admur 188:10 in parentheses “and those breads which one does not generally set a meal on, he must eat from them the amount that is considered that he set a meal over them”; Admur 168 Kuntrus Achron 4 “As through setting a meal over it he recites Birchas Hamazon it is therefore considered complete bread regarding all matters”; Implication of M”A 280 as explained in Machatzis Hashekel 274:1; Birkeiy Yosef 274:1, 291:2, and Machazik Bracha 242:10 in name of Zera Emes 1:28; Shaareiy Teshuvah 274:2; Tosefes Shabbos 274:1; Machatzis Hashekel 274:1; Biur Halacha 168:7 “Shekimat”; Ketzos Hashulchan 82 footnote 3 and 5

Opinion of Taz: The Taz 168:7 that one is not to use Mezonos bread for Lechem Mishneh which can imply that Mezonos bread is always invalid to be used to fulfill one’s obligation of the Shabbos meal. However, in truth one can explain him to be referring to using the Mezonos bread as the second bread of Lechem Mishneh and then putting it aside, in which case one does not fulfill his obligation of Lechem Mishneh being that he did not eat from the Mezonos bread and give it a status of real Hamotzi bread. If, however, one eats from the Mezonos bread then even the Taz agrees that one fulfills his obligation of the Shabbos meal. [Tosefes Shabbos ibid; Machatzis Hashekel ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid]

[9] See Admur 168:8; Seder Birchas Hanhenin 2:; Michaber 168:6; M”A 268:13

[10] See Ketzos Hashulchan 82 footnote 3; Darkei Hachaim 3:1; Machsheves Chaim p. 87-88; Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos 274 Miluim p. 70

[11] Admur 274:5 “even if a person eats many delicacy and cooked food that include ingredients from the five grains, nevertheless, he does not fulfill his obligation of the three Shabbos meals until he eats bread over which one recites Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon”; Admur 188:10 and in parentheses “On Shabbos and Yom Tov one is obligated to eat bread which one recites over it Birchas Hamazon.. without eating bread (that one sets a meal on)… (and those breads which one does not generally set a meal on, he must eat from them the amount that is considered that he set a meal over them)”; Admur 168 Kuntrus Achron 4 “On Shabbos and Yom Tov one does not fulfill his obligation unless he sets a meal over it being that there is no joy without bread which one sets a meal over”; See also Admur 249:10; 254:8; 263:3; 271:8; M”A 168:16 and Machatzis Hashekel there; Piskeiy Dinim Tzemach Tzedek 357:3; Yosef Ometz 48; See Birkeiy Yosef 274:1, 291:2, and Machazik Bracha 242:10 in name of Zera Emes 1:28; Shaareiy Teshuvah 274:2; Tosefes Shabbos 274:1; Machatzis Hashekel 274:1; Kaf Hachaim 274:6 and 24; 168:48; See Or Zarua Erev Shabbos 21; Darkei Moshe 249:4

[12] The reason: As regarding Shabbos the verse states “and you shall call Shabbos for pleasure” and regarding Yom Tov the verse states “and you shall rejoice on your holiday” and there is no pleasure and joy without eating bread (which one establishes a meal on), as the bread is the main staple of the meal, as every meal is called by the name bread. [Admur 188:10]

[13] Hagahos Hamahril in Admur 188:10 in name of Admur “I heard from him in the end of his days that he retracted from his previous ruling and did not require one to set his meal on Mezonos products, as also in the blessing of Al Hamichyah one mentions the holiness of the day of Shabbos”; Tehila Ledavid 249:3; Kaf Hachaim 274 in name of Ikareiy Hadaat 13:2 in name of Shuta Deyenuka 68; P”M 168 A”A 16; 188 A”A 9; 242 M”Z in end; 280; Mateh Efraim 601:5 and Alef Hamagen 4; Aruch Hashulchan 529:3; Mahariy Chagiz in Eitz Chaim 4 Maasros leaves this matter in question; Opinion in Birkeiy Yosef 168:5 and 291:2, Shaareiy Teshuvah 168:9, and Kaf Hachaim 168:48; See Ketzos Hashulchan 82 footnote 3 and Piskeiy Hasiddur 274; Likkutei Sichos 21 p. 85 footnote 14; Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos 274 Miluim p. 70

[14] Ketzos Hashulchan ibid; however, see Piskeiy Teshuvos 274 footnote 83

[15] Ikareiy Hadat ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid and in Piskeiy Hasiddur 274; Setimas Haposkim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid and footnote 88; See Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos 274 Miluim p. 72

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one fulfills his meal obligation with eating any of the seven Minim on Shabbos and reciting Meiyn Shalosh. [Opinion in Meiri Brachos 49b; Possible understanding of Maharil ibid in name of Admur; Tehila Ledavid 249:3 in name of Admur]

[16] The reason: As also in the blessing of Al Hamichyah one mentions the holiness of the day of Shabbos. [Maharil ibid in name of Admur]

[17] See Mahariy Chagiz in Eutz Chaim 4 Maasros; Sefer HaTanya 84 in name of Rabbeinu Avigdor; Shibulei Haleket 111 [344]; Shiltei Hagiborim; Maharach Or Zarua 71; Birkeiy Yosef 168:5 and 291:2; Shaareiy Teshuvah 168:9; Kaf Hachaim 168:48; Mikraeiy Kodesh Pesach 2:158; Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos 274 Miluim p. 70 footnote 7

[18] Ginas Veradim 3:11; Birkeiy Yosef 268:5; Shaareiy Teshuvah 168:9; Minchas Pitim p. 44; Orchos Chaim 168:4; Kaf Hachaim 168:48

[19] See Kitzur Hilchos Shabbos 274 Miluim p. 70

The Rebbes custom: Although by the Shabbos Farbrengen the Rebbe was not seen to wash on Lechem Mishneh and rather ate Mezonos, he would wash on Lechem Mishneh earlier, privately in his room. [Heard from Rav Leibal Groner OBM and Rav S.Z. Labkowski Shlita]

[20] Admur 168:11; Taz 168:7; Darkei Moshe 168; Tosefes Shabbos 274:1; Machatzis Hashekel 274:1; M”B 168:34; Kaf Hachaim 274:6; Kitzur SHU”A 77:16

[21] Tosefes Shabbos ibid and Machatzis Hashekel ibid and Kaf Hachaim 274:6 in explanation of Taz ibid; Ketzos Hashulchan 82 footnote 5 in name of Machatzis Hashekel

[22] The reason: As Lechem Mishneh can only be fulfilled with two loaves of bread that receive the blessing of Hamotzi, and so long as one does not establish his meal over the Mezonos bread, its blessing remains Mezonos. However, if one does eat from it and establish his meal over it, then it becomes Hamotzi and is valid for Lechem Mishneh. [Poskim ibid]

[23] Birkeiy Yosef 274 in name of Zera Emes; Shaareiy Teshuvah 274:2; Tosefes Shabbos ibid; Machatzis Hashekel ibid; Biur Halacha 168:7 “Shekimat”; Kaf Hachaim ibid

The reason: As Lechem Mishneh can only be fulfilled with two loaves of bread that receive the blessing of Hamotzi, and so long as one does not establish his meal over the Mezonos bread, its blessing remains Mezonos. However, if one does eat from it and establish his meal over it, then it becomes Hamotzi and is valid for Lechem Mishneh. [Poskim ibid]

[24] See M”A ibid; Birkeiy Yosef ibid; Shaareiy Teshuvah ibid; Kitzur SHU”A 77:17; Minchas Yitzchak 3:13

[25] Ketzos Hashulchan 82 footnote 5; All Poskim who rule that one can fulfill his obligation of bread by eating Mezonos bread and products

[26] Setimas Haposkim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid and footnote 88

[27] The reason: As a) According to some opinions one fulfills his obligation of eating bread through eating Mezonos bread even if he does not set a meal over it. 2) It has the appearance of regular bread. 3) it can potentially become Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon if one eats enough of it. 4) the exact identity of Mezonos bread is under debate in the Poskim, and hence there is always the opinion which holds that the Mezonos bread that you are using is truly Hamotzi, and hence regarding the Rabbinical obligation of Lechem Mishneh one may be lenient. [Ketzos Hashulchan ibid]

[28] Kaf Hachaim 274:6, as it is better for one to use Mezonos bread as the second bread of Lechem Mishneh then to say Hamotzi on only one bread

[29] Daas Moshe 4; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid