The requirement for the food to be in front of the person when saying a blessing:^[1]

In order for a blessing to be valid, the food item must be present in front of the person at the time that he recites the blessing. If one said a blessing over a food or beverage without it being present before him[2] and after he finished[3] the blessing the food or drink was brought in front of him, then the blessing is invalid and he must repeat the blessing. This applies even if one had in mind to have the food brought to him after reciting the blessing.^[4] [It is due to this requirement that there is an entire discussion in the Poskim regarding what one is to do if he lost the food after saying the blessing and a new food was brought in front of him, as will be explained in Halacha 19??. Likewise, it is due to this requirement that there is a discussion regarding when a second food counts with the blessing of the first food if the second food was not in front of the person at the time that the blessing was recited, as explained in length in Halacha 18??.] All this is Bedieved, however, initially, not only must the food be in front of the person, but he must furthermore hold it in his hand while the blessing is being recited, as will be explained next.

• Example: One who is in a rush and recited the blessing of Shehakol on a food or drink prior to opening the fridge and taking it, must repeat the blessing upon opening the fridge and taking the food. [However, some Poskim[5] rule that this only applies if he was not certain that the food was there, however if he is certain of the foods presence inside the fridge, then he does not need to repeat the blessing. Practically, according to Admur, one is to repeat the blessing.]

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[1] See Admur Seder 9:4; Luach 6:4; Admur 167:6 in parentheses; 206:9; Michaber 206:5; Rambam Brachos 4:10; Yerushalmi Brachos 6:1; Ketzos Hashulchan 55:4; 56:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 206:17

[2] The law if it is present inside of a box: Some Poskim suggest that if the food is in front of him inside of a box and the like, then he does not have to repeat the blessing. [P”M 206; M”B 206:19; Ketzos Hashulchan 56 footnote 1] This seemingly follows the same ruling as Admur Kuntrus Achron 271:8 that in the event that one had intent on the food at the time that he said the blessing, then the blessing is valid even if it was not in front of it. However, according to the final ruling of Admur in Seder and Luach that the blessing is invalid even if he had it in mind, seemingly this ruling above the P”M would also be negated. However, see Ketzos Hashulchan 56 footnote 1 who records this ruling of the M”B without dissent.

[3] If the food was brought in middle of the blessing: See Ketzos Hashulchan 56 footnote 1 for a discussion on whether the invalidation of the blessing is specifically when he finished the blessing prior to the food being brought to him, and it was only brought to him after Kdei Dibbur of finishing the blessing, or even if he simply began saying the blessing without the food being there, even if the food arrived in middle of the blessing, nonetheless it remains invalid and the blessing must. Practically, if one has yet to say Hashem’s name in the blessing then seemingly the blessing counts, however if he already said Hashem’s name than this matter is under question, and practically, Safek Barchos Lihakel.

[4] Seder ibid; Luach ibid; Admur 206:9 [unlike Admur KU”A 271:8]; M”A 206:7; Levush 206:5

Contradiction and Other rulings in Admur: elsewhere, more rules that in the event that one had intent on the food at the time that he said the blessing, then the blessing is valid even if the food was not in front of him at the time that he said the blessing and was only brought afterwards. [Admur Kuntrus Achron 271:8; Poskim brought in Tehila Ledavid 206:1, including Taz 271:8, M”A 271:31, Rabbeinu Tam] This is a direct contradiction to the ruling brought above. [See Tehila Ledavid 206:1; Ketzos Hashulchan 79:6] This ruling seems to follow the same ruling as those Poskim who rule that if the food is found inside of a box and he for sure will be able to eat it, than the blessing is valid. [See P”M 206; M”B 206:1] Practically however the main ruling of Admur follows his ruling in the Seder and Luach, as is known that this was written later on, and we always rule like the Siddur over the Shulchan Aruch.

[5] P”M 206; M”B 206:19