Bracha Achrona: Difference between revisions

# 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> S”A 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>

# 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 Magan Avraham 184:9 </ref>

# If one ate a Mezonot food and then made Birkat HaMazon by accident one fulfilled one’s obligation and shouldn’t repeat Bracha Achrona. <Ref>Even though S”A 208:17 writes that Birkat HaMazon doesn’t cover saying Al HaMichya on a Tavshil Mezonot, many achronim including Mishna Brurah 208:75 and Halacha Brurah 208:60 argue that one has fulfilled one’s obligation and shouldn’t repeat Bracha Achrona. </ref>

# If one ate a dates or drank wine and then made Birkat HaMazon by accident one fulfilled one’s obligation and shouldn’t repeat Bracha Achrona. <Ref> S”A 208:17 </ref>

# If one ate a different food which has the Bracha Achrona of Boreh Nefashot or Al HaEtz and then made Birkat HaMazon by accident according to most authorities one hasn’t fulfilled one’s obligation but in order to concerned for the minority opinion one should hear the correct Bracha Achrona from someone else or have another amount of food and make the correct Bracha Achrona. <Ref>Halacha Brurah 208:60 </ref>

# In any case the fact that Birkat HaMazon fulfills one’s obligation after the fact, is true even if one only said the first paragraph of Birkat Hamazon. <Ref>S”A 208:17 </ref>