- Pas Haba Bekisnin:[1]
- The General law:
Its law: Breads which are defined as Pas Haba Bekisnin is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].
Its definition – The Dispute: There is a dispute amongst the Poskim as to the definition of the Pas Haba Bekisnin Mezonos bread. Some Poskim[2] rule that it is [even] defined as dough which is made using non-water liquids for the kneading, or dough which is spicy [and certainly applies to dough which is filled with sweets].[3] Other Poskim[4], however, rule that the above described bread is not defined as Pas Haba Bekisnin, and hence even if the dough was kneaded with liquids other than water, and contains spices, it is not defined as Pas Haba Bekisnin and remains Hamotzi. Rather, in their opinion, Pas Haba Bekisnin is [only] dough which has been filled with sweets. This refers to regular dough of bread which is filled with sweets such as honey, sugar, nuts and walnuts, hazelnuts, jelly, chocolate, caramel, fruits.[5] [In addition, a further opinion rules that all savory baked goods or savory snacks, such as crackers, pretzels, and the like are defined as Pas Haba Bekisnin. This opinion will be explained later on in Halacha ??.]
The final ruling: Practically, we take both opinions into account and hence one is to recite Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eating either of such breads as a snack, although a Baal Nefesh is to be stringent to not eat [the former type of Pas Haba Bekisnin Mezonos bread] outside of a meal over which one recites Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on a Kezayis of real bread.[6] All this applies only if one will not be setting a meal over the bread, however, if one will be setting a meal over the bread, as will be defined in Halacha ??, then its is blessing is Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon. The following are the details of each one of these types of breads:
- Kneaded with non-water liquids:[7]
As stated above, we rule that any dough which is kneaded with non-water liquids such as, milk, butter, honey, oil, wine, fruit juices, eggs, fat, is defined [due to doubt] as Pas Haba Bikisnin and hence is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda]. Although a Baal Nefesh is to be stringent to not eat this type of bread outside of a meal.[8]
What is the law if the above doughs are mixed also with water? In the event that the dough was kneaded with both water and non-water liquids, then we follow the majority liquid. If it is majority non-water liquids, then it is Mezonos when eaten as a snack, while if it is majority water, then it is Hamotzi even when eaten as a snack.
What is the law if one used water mixed with concentrate juice for the kneading? Majority of Poskim[9] rule that in such a case we measure the water versus the concentrate, and hence if a minority of concentrate juice was used with majority water, as is usually the case, then the bread is Hamotzi even when eaten as a snack.
- Spicy dough and bread:[10]
According to the first opinion above, even dough that has been kneaded with water, if it was kneaded with spices [i.e. sugar, garlic, pepper, Zatar] then if the spices are very well felt in the taste of the bread and hence people eat it as a snack[11], then its blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda]. Although a Baal Nefesh is to be stringent to not eat this type of bread outside of a meal.[12]
If one mixed fruit juice and spices into the water do they join as a majority over the water? If the taste is changed to the point that it is not common to set a meal over such bread, then such bread is Mezonos. Thus, the eggs, oil, and spices which are added to the recipe all join as a majority against the water ingredient.
D. Sweet Pastries –Dough fillings [i.e. Rugelach, Danish Croissant; éclair, cinnamon roll]:[13]
As stated above, we rule that dough which has been filled with sweets [i.e. such as honey, sugar, nuts and walnuts, hazelnuts, jelly, chocolate, caramel, fruits] is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda]. [This applies even to a Baal Nefesh.]
What is the law if one removes the filling and eats only the bread? Even if one removes the filling and eats only the bread part of the pasty [i.e. one removes all of the chocolate from the Rugelach and eats only the plane pastry dough], nevertheless, its blessing remains Mezonos and Al Hamichya.[14]
What blessing is to be recited if one only eats the filling? One recites what ever blessing befits that filling, whether Haeitz, Ha’adama or Shehakol.
E. Savory Pastries – Non Sweet Dough fillings [i.e. pies, samosas, and knishes]:[15]
Hamotzi dough which is filled with meat, potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, spinach, cheese, receives the blessing of Hamotzi, as such foods are meant for satiation and not for pleasure.[16] This applies even if ones main intent in eating this food is to eat the filling and not the dough.
- Hamintashin: Those Hamintashin which are filled with sesame seeds are Hamotzi as they are made for satiation and not for snacking.
- If one has Mezonos bread and Hamotzi bread on the table and he plans to eat both, over which bread should he say Hamotzi?[17]
One should say Hamotzi on the Hamotzi bread, as it is more Chashuv.
6. Minority flour cakes – Lekach and Honey cake, brownies, cheesecake:[18]
A cake primarily made with honey and a smaller proportion of flour, known as Lekach, is classified as Mezonos [and not Hamotzi] according to all viewpoints [even a Baal Nefesh], due to the predominance of honey.[19] However, if one sets a meal over it, then it is Hamotzi.[20] [The same would apply to brownies and cheesecake which contain only a minority ingredient of flour, that their blessing is Mezonos, unless one sets a meal over them in which case their before blessing is Hamotzi. However, their after blessing would be dependent on how much flour was in the mixture as explained in chapter 8 Halacha ??.]
- Ugos Yiveishos – Savory baked goods or savory snacks – Crackers and pretzels:[21]
Dry baked goods like pretzels and crackers, made of flour and water without any spices, are debated as to whether they are defined as Pas Haba Bekisnin[22], and consequently are debated as to their blessing [i.e. Hamotzi or Mezonos]. Practically, due to Safek Brachos Lihakel, they are Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].[23] Nonetheless, due to the debate[24], some are accustomed [even if they are not a Baal Nefesh] to avoid eating pretzels or crackers outside of a meal unless they contain spices or fruit juices that can be tasted, in which case they can be considered Mezonos regardless due to being Pas Haba Bekisnin as rules the first opinion.
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[1] See Seder 2:7-9; Luach 8:3-12; Admur 168:7-18; Michaber 168:7-10; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:5-8; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:8-22
[2] 1st opinion in Seder ibid; 2nd opinion in Admur ibid; Luach ibid; Michaber ibid; Rambam Brachos 3:9
[3] The reason for this is because people do not normally set a meal over such breads.
[4] 2nd opinion in Seder 2:7; 1st opinion in Admur ibid; Luach ibid; Michaber ibid; Taz; Beis Yosef
[5] These breads are considered Mezonos because they are filled primarily for enjoyment, not for satiation. Therefore, we say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
[6] Seder 2:9
[7] See Seder 2:7-9; Luach 8:3; Admur 168:11; Michaber 168:7; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:5-8; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:8
[8] Seder 2:9
[9] Mishnas Sachir 41; Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 168:57; Minchas Yitzchak 9:17; Shevet Halevi 8:32; 9:44; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168 footnote 70
[10] See Seder 2:7-9; Luach 8:3; Admur 168:11; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:8
[11] In the Shulchan Aruch Admur rules that one is to have majority of spices over water. However, the Ketzos Hashulchan concludes the main thing is that it is spicy to the point that one does not set a meal over it.
[12] Seder 2:9
[13] See Seder 2:7-9; Luach 8:3-4; Admur 168:11; Michaber 168:7-10; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:5-6
[14] The reason: As it was baked for purposes of Taanug and not for satiation. [Admur 168:10]
[15] See Seder 2:7-9; Luach 8:3-4; Admur 168:11; Michaber 168:7-10; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:7
[16] The reason: This type of food is considered Hamotzi because it is customary to set a meal with such foods.
[17] P”M 168 M”Z 7; See Seder 9:6-7; Luach 6:6-7; Admur 206:10; M”A 211:11; Ketzos Hashulchan 56:3;
[18] Seder 2:9; 3:4; Admur 168:11; Rama 168:7; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:5
[19] The reason it is Mezonos and not Shehakol: It is Mezonos as whenever flour is present in the mixture, and contributes to the taste, it is Mezonos. [Admur ibid]
[20] Seder 3:4
[21] See Admur 168:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:11; Ketzos Hashulchna 48 footnote 11; Footnote 116 of Rav Alyashvili on Seder 2:9
[22] Opinion brought in Admur 168:12, omitted from Seder and Luach; This applies even if they are made of majority water, and at times only water, in their liquid ingredient, and applies even if they are not spicy nor sweet being that they are eaten as snacks rather than a meal.
[23] Admur 168:12; Omitted from Seder and Luach ibid
[24] While some opinions state they are Hamotzi, as recorded in Admur ibid, in the Shulchan Aruch Admur concludes that they are Mezonos due to Safek Brachos Lihhakel, being that he also brings a dissenting opinion to this view. However, in his Siddur, Admur omitted this dissenting opinion, hence implying they are Hamotzi, and hence some are stringent as stated above. Based on this some do not eat pretzels or crackers out of a meal. See Luach of Rav Alyashvili who rules that it is Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon!
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