View source for Template:How Long Does One Have to Recite Birkat Hamazon

# If one ate bread and is full, preferably one should make Birkat Hamazon within 72 minutes and after the fact, one may make it as long as one is full from what one ate. However, after 72 minutes, if one is a little hungry, one can no longer make the Birkat Hamazon. <Ref> Shulchan Aruch OC 184:5 writes that one may Birkat Hamazon until one is hungry again. Vezot HaBracha (pg 49, chapter 5) and Yalkut Yosef ([[Brachot]] pg 300) rule that if one didn’t make Birkat Hamazon until after 72 minutes, one may surely recite Birkat Hamazon as long as one is still full and one isn't hungry. Vezot HaBracha quotes Rav Elyashiv who says that it’s preferable to eat a little more before making Birkat Hamazon. Aruch HaShulchan 184:7 and 8 writes that since we don't know the precise determination of when we're still full must make Birkat Hamazon within 72 minutes and if one didn't then one should eat another [[Kezayit]] and then say Birkat Hamazon. Kaf HaChaim 184:28 writes that in order to fulfill all opinions if it has been 72 minutes one should eat another [[Kezayit]] and if one doesn't have bread one may make Birkat Hamazon as long as one is full.</ref>
# If it’s past 72 minutes and one is in doubt whether one is still full one can make Birkat Hamazon, yet, it’s preferable to eat another [[Kezayit]] before making Birkat Hamazon. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 184:15, Vezot HaBracha (pg 49, chapter 5) </ref>
# However, if one just had a [[Kezayit]] and was not full, one should try to make the Birkat Hamazon right away and if one didn't one may only make Birkat Hamazon up to 72 minutes after one ate. <ref> Yalkut Yosef ([[Brachot]] pg 300), Mishna Brurah 184:20 </ref> Some add that if one waited more than a half hour it's preferable to have another [[Kezayit]] of bread before making Birkat Hamazon. <ref>Vezot HaBracha (chap 5, pg 50) </ref>
# If one has a very long meal and continues to have appetizers or drinks, one may make the Birkat Hamazon as long as the meal continues even 4 or 5 hours. <ref> Mishna Brurah 184:18, Vezot HaBracha (chap 5, pg 50), Yalkut Yosef ([[Brachot]] pg 301) </ref> One should have something to eat or drink every 72 minutes, however, if one didn't then one may still say Birkat Hamazon. <ref>Vezot HaBracha (chap 5, pg 51) quoting the Magen Avraham 184:9 </ref>
## If someone was at a wedding and ate the main course and danced for a while the time lapse before it is too late to say birkat hamazon can be extended by eating or drinking something. <ref>Vezot Habracha p. 249 quotes Teshuvot Vehanhagot 1:175 as saying that flavored water can extend this time period. See Har Tzvi 96 and Shevet Halevi 6:27.</ref>