Bracha Rishona: Difference between revisions

# There is no minimum amount necessary for Bracha Rishona, even if one eats a very small amount of food one must make the appropriate Bracha. <ref>Gemara Brachot 38b records the story where Rabbi Yochanan made a Bracha Rishona and Bracha Achrona on a salted olive. The Gemara asks how Rabbi Yochanan could make a Bracha if after removing the pit there wouldn’t be a shiur (certain amount of volume). The Gemara answers that the shiur is an average olive and since he had a large olive even after removing the pit he still ate the shiur. Tosfot 39a s.v. Batzar writes that the Gemara is specifically speaking about Bracha Achrona, however, one should make a Bracha Rishona for any amount because one shouldn’t benefit from the world without a Bracha (Brachot 35a). Tur and S”A 210:1 rule that one must make a Bracha Rishona on any amount of food because one may not get benefit from the world without a Bracha. Kitzur S"A 50:1 agrees.</ref>

==When is a new Bracha Rishona required?==

# If one sat down to learn and from time to time one has tea or coffee, even if one had long breaks between the drinks, one does not need to make another Bracha Rishona for the next cup and one bracha rishona covers everything. It's preferable to have in mind that one's Bracha Rishona will exempt all future cups. However, if one made a Shinui Makom by leaving the doorway of the shul or bet midrash, one should make a new Bracha Rishona. <Ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Brachot p. 173, [[Yom Tov]] p. 311) </ref>

# If one sat down to learn and from time to time one has snacks, if one ate a [[Kezayit]] in [[Kedi Achilat Pras]], and one is afraid that one will forget to make a [[Bracha Achrona]] or that the time for [[Bracha Achrona]] will expire , one may make a [[Bracha Achrona]] and then when one continues to eat, one does not need a new Bracha Rishona.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Brachot p 178 and 539)</ref>