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DonateBlessing laws relating to foods that contain a number of ingredients which may include flour of the five grains, or kernels of the five grains, will be elaborated on in chapter 17 in the laws of Ikar Vitafel, which is the chapter dealing with primary and secondary foods. The following is a synopsis on the subject, however see chapter 17 for the full details of the laws and examples of foods and their corresponding blessing:
Foods Containing Flour Ingredients – Before blessing:[1] Whenever five grain flour is included in the ingredients of a food for taste or satiation (as per Chapter 18 Halacha 4), it is considered the primary ingredient, even if the majority of the product is non-flour. This applies even if the flour is only intended to enhance the flavor and satiation of the main food. Accordingly, all Poskim agree that one should recite Mezonos over such foods. If however the flour is used to only add texture or color but not for taste or satiation, then the flour is considered secondary to the food and receives the blessing first and after the primary food. If however one intends to eat the flour also for satiation, then it is considered Mezonos and Al Hamichyah even if the main food is not the flour.
Foods Containing Flour Ingredients – After blessing:[2] See Halacha 6 for the full details of this subject regarding multi grain crackers! There is a debate regarding foods that contain flour ingredients and thereby receive the before blessing of Mezonos, in regards to how much of the food one must eat to recite an Al Hamichya, a full Kezayis of the Mezonos ingredient, or only of the food. This dispute applies to all Mezonos foods that contain flour whether a Tavshil of food that contains flour [i.e. meat loaf with flour which is added for taste] or Pas Haba Bekisnin [crackers, pretzels, cake].[3] [However, it only applies to products that have flour mixed into them, and not to products that contain individual Mezonos foods, such as Matzah balls in a soup, or wheat in Chulent, in which case according to all one must eat a Kezayis of the actual Mezonos within four minutes to recite Al Hamichya, unless the entire food has been blended or disintegrated into one product.[4]] The debate is as follows: Some Poskim[5] say it’s sufficient if you eat a Kezayis of the dish in total to recite Al Hamichya, even if you do not eat a Kezayis of the actual wheat flour. As stated above, this applies to all Mezonos foods that contain flour whether a Tavshil of food that contains flour [i.e. meat loaf with flour which is added for taste] or Pas Haba Bekisnin [crackers, pretzels, cake].[6] Furthermore, according to some Poskim[7], this applies even if the dish does not contain a Kezayis [27 grams] of 5 grain flour within Achilas Peras [174 grams i.e. less than 16.7 %]. However, other Poskim[8] require there to be in the dish a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras [16.7 %] for it to be Al Hamichya even if one eats a Kezayis. Given the dispute, we follow the principle of Safek Berachos Lehakel and hence if there isn’t a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras [16.7 %] then initially, due to the above dispute, one is to only eat [a Kezayis of] this food within a meal.[9] Alternatively, one is to eat a Kezayis each of two other foods of which one is Mezonos and the second receives a Borei Nefashos, and then recite an Al Hamichyah and Borei Nefashos on both foods.[10] [If one does plan to eat it within a meal and does not have two other foods that are Al Hamichya and Borei Nefashos to eat, then he is not to eat it all. If he went ahead and ate it anyways then he is not to say any after blessing for it.[11] If however he has one food available that is Al Hamichyeh or Borei Nefashos then he is to eat that food and recite that after blessing.] However, if there is 16.7 % of flour in the mixture, then it suffices to eat a mere Kezayis of the food within Achilas Peras [4 minutes], even if one does not eat a Kezayis of the actual wheat flour.[12] This especially applies to baked Mezonos products the only flour ingredient is five grain flour and simply have other ingredients to enhance it, as explained in the Q&A.[13]
Foods that contain raw flour: Foods which contain raw flour that have not been cooked or baked seemingly do not have their flour be considered Mezonos due to the lack of cooking, and hence one is to recite whatever blessing is the main food, or the blessing of Shehakol.[14]
Foods containing five grain kernels: Foods that contain kernels from the five grains are possibly Mezonos, depending on how they are cooked, as explained in length in the previous laws with regards to boiled versus roasted grains, and as to whether the grains must stick to each other. Even in the event that the grains have been cooked in a way that meets the criteria of Mezonos, such as a thick Chulent, it’s after blessing would be dependent on the amount of grains that one consumed within Achilas Peras.[15] Likewise, possibly other blessings would need to be recited on other large pieces of foods that it contains, such as in a Chulent.
| Q&A When eating a slice of cake and other baked product which is mainly flour, must one eat an actual Kezayis of flour of one of the five grains within four minutes in order to say an after blessing, or does it suffice that one eat a Kezayis in total which includes the eggs, oil, sugar and spices?[16] When eating a slice of cake and other baked product which is mainly flour but includes also eggs, oil, sugar and spices, it suffices to eat a Kezayis of the product in total within four minutes and so is the widespread custom. This applies even according to those opinions[17] who rule that in general one must eat an actual Kezayis of five grain flour in order to recite Al Hamichya as this only applies when there are other non-Mezonos flours in the mixture. However, when the mixture simply contains regular flour plus sugar and spices to enhance the flour, then the custom is to require only a Kezayis of the food to be eaten. Certainly, this applies according to those Poskim[18] who rule that we always require only a Kezayis of the food to be eaten even when mixed with other flours, which is the implied ruling of Admur. Nonetheless, there are some Poskim[19] who are stringent even in the above case to only recite an after blessing of Al Hamichya if one has for certain eaten a Kezayis of actual Mezonos flour, which often is in excess of 70 to 80 g within four minutes. Nevertheless, even they agree that by bread it suffices to eat a regular Kezayis of bread without taking the water into account.[20] |
Table regarding after blessing
| Scenario | Final Conclusion / Guideline |
| Food contains flour ingredient, but less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras | Do not recite Al Hamichya after eating. Ideally, only eat this food within a meal. |
| Food contains a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras | Recite Al Hamichya after eating. |
| Want to eat the food outside a meal, but there is less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras | Either eat a Kezayis each of two other foods (one Mezonos and one Borei Nefashos) and recite both after blessings, or avoid eating the food. |
| Ate the food (with less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras) outside a meal, and no other foods are available | Do not recite any after blessing. |
| Ate the food (with less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras) and has one other food (either Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos) | Eat that food and recite the appropriate after blessing for it. |
[1] Admur Seder 3:2; Luach 4:2; Admur 168:9 and 11; 212:1; Michaber 208:2; M”A 212:1; Rav Kahana Brachos 36b and Rava Brachos 37b; Ketzos Hashulchan 58:2-5
[2] Seder 3:2 [regarding Mezonos] and 6; 8:3-4 [regarding Hamotzi]; Luach 4:2; Admur 168:9 and 11; 212:1; Michaber 208:2 and 9; M”A 212:1; Kaf Hachaim 168:122; 127; 208:9; 52-56; Rav Kahana Brachos 36b and Rava Brachos 37b; Ketzos Hashulchan 58:2; See Kaf Hachaim 208:56 that there is no difference in this law regarding whether the Mezonos flour is mixed with other legume flour, or other foods, and so is proven from Admur in Seder 3:2 who is not discussing specifically if it was mixed with flour, and so rules Lechem Chamudos 19; Olas Tamid 208:7, Mamar Mordechai 208:17; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:14
[3] Setimas Admur in Seder 3:2 who does not differentiate at all, and writes his ruling regarding any food that contains flour that makes the food Mezonos; Lechem Chamudos 19; Olas Tamid 208:7, Mamar Mordechai 208:17; M”B 208:48; Biur Halacha 208 “Bekedeira”; Kaf Hachaim 208:56 that there is no difference in this law regarding whether the Mezonos flour is mixed with other legume flour, or other foods, and so is proven from Admur in Seder 3:2 who is not discussing specifically if it was mixed with flour, and so rules Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:14 footnote 102
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that whenever the Mezonos flour is mixed with other non-flour ingredients, the blessing on a Kezayis is always Al Hamichya. [M”A 208:15, negated by Poskim ibid]
[4] Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:14 footnote 105-106
[5] Setimas Admur in Seder 3:2 regarding Mezonos according to all; 1st and Stam opinion in Admur Seder 8:3; Ruling of Admur in Shulchan Aruch 168:11 in parentheses; Ketzos Hashulchan 59:4 “even on a Kezayis of it”; See Admur 442:9 and Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Tosafus Chulin 98b; Rabbeinu Chaim brought in Rosh 7:31; Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Mateh Yehuda 208:4; Mamar Mordechai 208:15
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one must eat a Kezayis of the actual flour to say an Al Hamichyah, otherwise, one is to recite Borei Nefashos. [M”B 208:48; Chayeh Adam 50:21; Chesed Lealafim 208:3; Agurah Beohalecha p. 4; Kaf Hachaim 168:122; 127; 208:9; 14; Igros Moshe 1:71; Minchas Yitzchak 9:15; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 99; See also Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 103 that according to all one must eat a Kezayis of the actual flour to say an Al Hamichyah, Vetzaruch Iyun that he made no mention of Seder 3:2 nor of any of the above Poskim!; So rule regarding bread that one does not recite Birchas Hamazon in such a case: 2nd opinion in Admur Seder 8:3; See Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Raavad; Rashba Toras Habayis 4:1; Peri Chadash 442:1; P”M 208 A”A 15; Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Perach Shushan 1:3; Erech Hashulchan 208:4; Beis Efraim 13; Shaareiy Teshuvah 208:12; Gr”a; Derech Hachaim]
[6] Setimas Admur in Seder 3:2 who does not differentiate at all, and writes his ruling regarding any food that contains flour that makes the food Mezonos; M”A 208:15 regarding that if mixed with other foods is even more lenient! So rule [Lechumra] that all foods with flour have the same law as Pas Haba Bekisnin with legume flour, although negate the M”A ibid distinction Lekula: Lechem Chamudos 19; Olas Tamid 208:7, Mamar Mordechai 208:17; M”B 208:48; Biur Halacha 208 “Bekedeira”; Kaf Hachaim 208:56 that there is no difference in this law regarding whether the Mezonos flour is mixed with other legume flour, or other foods, and so is proven from Admur in Seder 3:2 who is not discussing specifically if it was mixed with flour, and so rules Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:14 footnote 102
[7] 1st opinion in Admur Seder 3:2 and 8:4; Setimas Michaber 208:2 [unlike 208:9]; Rabbeinu Yona; M”A 208:15 [regarding if mixed with other foods, not flour]
[8] 2nd opinion in Admur Seder 3:2 and 8:4; Michaber 208:9; Lechem Chamudos 19; Olas Tamid 208:7, Mamar Mordechai 208:17; Kneses Hagedola 208:1; Elya Raba 208:3; Chesed Lealafim 208:3; Agurah Beohalecha p. 4; Kaf Hachaim 168:122; 127; 208:9:14; 53 [and so he also holds to be the opinion of Michaber 208:2]
[9] Seder 8:4
[10] Admur Seder 3:3; Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 7
[11] See Admur Seder 1:18 and Luach 1:20 that one cannot be Yotzei an Al Hamichyeh with a Borei Nefashos and cannot be Yoztei a Borei Nefashos with Al Hamichyeh
[12] Implication of Seder 3:2; 1st opinion in Seder 8:3 regarding Hamotzi; Ketzos Hashulchan 59:4 “even on a Kezayis of it”; Ketzos Hashulchan 59:3 that one says Al Hamichyah even though did not eat Kezayis of grain in Hamotzi bread; See Admur Seder 8:3 regarding Hamotzi that some rule one must eat an actual Kezayis of the grain flour to say Birchas Hamazon, Vetzaruch Iyun as to the difference between Birchas Hamazon and Al Hamichyah;
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one must eat a Kezayis of the actual flour to say an Al Hamichyah, otherwise, one is to recite Borei Nefashos. [M”B 208:48; Chayeh Adam 50:21; Chesed Lealafim 208:3; Agurah Beohalecha p. 4; Kaf Hachaim 168:122; 127; 208:9; 14; Igros Moshe 1:71; Minchas Yitzchak 9:15; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 99; See also Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 103 that according to all one must eat a Kezayis of the actual flour to say an Al Hamichyah. Vetzaruch Iyun that he made no mention of above!; So rule regarding bread that one does not recite Birchas Hamazon in such a case: 2nd opinion in Admur ibid; See Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Raavad; Rashba Toras Habayis 4:1; Peri Chadash 442:1; P”M 208 A”A 15; Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Perach Shushan 1:3; Erech Hashulchan 208:4; Beis Efraim 13; Shaareiy Teshuvah 208:12; Gr”a; Derech Hachaim]
[13] See Q&A!
[14] Seemingly the food remains Shehakol just as is the law regarding eating raw flour plain. In order for flour to become Mezonos it must be cooked.
[15] The concept explained previously in which a dish which contains flour can receive the after blessing of Al Hamichya, according to some opinions, even if one eats a mere kezayis of the dish even if he does not eat a Kezayis of flour, only applies to a dish which contains flour that has combined with the food and to a dish which contains kernels that have not combined with the food and remain their own independent entity. [See Piskeiy Teshuvos 208]
[16] M”B 208:48; Chayeh Adam 50:21 that so was the custom; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:14
[17] M”B 208:48; Chayeh Adam 50:21; Chesed Lealafim 208:3; Agurah Beohalecha p. 4; Kaf Hachaim 168:122; 127; 208:9; 14; Igros Moshe 1:71; Minchas Yitzchak 9:15; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 99; So rule regarding bread that one does not recite Birchas Hamazon in such a case: 2nd opinion in Seder 8:3; See Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Raavad; Rashba Toras Habayis 4:1; Peri Chadash 442:1; P”M 208 A”A 15; Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Perach Shushan 1:3; Erech Hashulchan 208:4; Beis Efraim 13; Shaareiy Teshuvah 208:12; Gr”a; Derech Hachaim
[18] Ruling of Admur in Seder 3:2 regarding Mezonos according to all; 1st and Stam opinion in Admur Seder 8:3; Ruling of Admur in Shulchan Aruch 168:11 in parentheses; See Admur 442:9 and Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Tosafus Chulin 98b; Rabbeinu Chaim brought in Rosh 7:31; Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Mateh Yehuda 208:4; Mamar Mordechai 208:15
[19] M”B ibid concludes Lechatchila to be stringent; Divrei Yoel 1:13; Igros Moshe 1:71; Minchas Yitzchak 9:15; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:132; Shevet Hakehasi 2:93; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnotes 99-101
[20] Vezos Habracha Beirurim 14 in name of Rav Elyashiv; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 100
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