Halacha Orach Chaim 168

Pizza is essentially bread with cheese on top. Cheese is a meal food. It would therefore stand to reason that a Hamotzei is needed before eating pizza. Reb Shlomo Zalman Aurbach writes that the Bracha on pizza is dependent on the custom of the specific locale. As mentioned earlier, a food that is intended to be eaten as a snack requires a Mezonos instead of a Hamotzei. Based on this, it is necessary to verify the standard custom in the specific location, and the intent of the person eating. If the locals usually eat pizza as a meal, a Hamotzei is required, even if one intends to eat it as a snack.

Knishes theoretically should be similar to the Halacha for pizza, as they are the same concept. Meal items being eaten with bread. However, since there is ample reason to say that they are generally eaten as a snack, it would seem much easier to rely on the opinion that recite a Mezonos rather than Hamotzei.

The Mechaber in 168:15 rules regarding a product that seems very similar to our pancakes, that a Mezonos is said, even if it is eaten as a meal rather than a snack. The reason given is because it does not have the character of bread. Mishna Berura brings the opinion of the Magen Avrohom that rules one should recite a Hamotzei if eaten as a meal. It is interesting that the Chofetz Chaim concludes his comments with the opinion of the Magen Geburim that rules like the Mechaber. In addition, the product discussed by the Mechaber does not seem to have added flavor like our pancakes do.

Halacha Orach Chaim 168

Aruch Hashulchan in 168:24 brings an interesting twist to the rules of Pas Habah Bekisnin. On the surface, it seems that there are three opinions regarding Pas Habah Bekisnin. Any product that does not fall into one of those three categories, and is baked like bread, would be considered bread.

However, the Aruch Hashulchan says that this is not true. On the contrary. The defining factor as to whether something is Pas Habah Bekisnin, is decided by customary use, and these criteria are only examples. If the product is usually eaten as a snack, like these three products, the Bracha would be a Mezonos. If it is usually eaten as a staple in a meal, the Bracha would be Hamotzei.

Based on this, we would like to look at two specific foods,
Soft Pretzels and Bagel Chips

Soft pretzels are essentially bread in a pretzel form. It would therefore seem obvious that a Hamotzei should be recited. However, based on this Aruch Hashulchan, the issue becomes a bit more cloudy. Is it a meal food, or a snack food? There is no clear consensus from contemporary Posrkim. Some therefore suggest that soft pretzels should only be eaten when washing in a traditional meal.

Most packaged bagel chips are manufactured by slicing whole bagels, and making them into smaller chips. It would therefore seem that a Hamotzei should be recited. However, based on the Aruch Hashulchan and other variables, a Mezonos can be recited. Since the original intention was to be used as a snack food, it is not considered completed earlier in the process. In addition, the pieces are rebaked and broken smaller than a Zayis, like we discussed in our earlier post. You can find that discussion here. It would therefore seem that a Mezonos can be recited.

Halacha Orach Chaim 168

In order to consider a mixture of flour and water bread, it is necessary for the mixture to be cooked.

The question arises regarding bagels that are not cooked, but boiled in water. Bread is generally categorized as something baked, not boiled.

The Rambam rules that bread that is boiled and not baked requires a Mezonos, and not Hamotzei.

The Rabeinu Tam rules that bread that is boiled in water requires a Hamotzei. Mishna Berura explains the reason for this. Since it came from dough, and appears to be bread, we consider it as if it is bread.

Because of this disagreement, the Mechaber writes that G-d fearing Jews should only eat products like this in a meal where they are washing on real bread.

Does this mean we should not eat bagels without reciting a Bracha on other bread first?
Our bagels would seemingly fall into this difference of opinion. However, the Chazon Ish writes that everyone would agree that bagels require a Hamotzei. The reason for this is because bagels are placed into the oven for a short time after they are boiled. Because of this, we consider them baked, and all will recite a Bracha of Hamotzei on them. Although one may argue they are placed in the oven strictly to give them color, and not for baking, there are other variables to take into consideration that will be discussed in our next post.

Halacha Orach Chaim 168

There are several variables to take into account before reciting a Bracha and eating Challah Kugel.

Scenario 1
Challah is broken up and placed in a pan, and other ingredients are poured into the pan as well. The mixture is then recooked.

If pieces of Challah are broken smaller than a Zayis, which is approximately the size of two regular chocolate chip cookies, a Mezonos should be recited. If the Pieces are broken down, but larger than a Zayis, Hamotzei is recited.

Scenario 2
Challah was broken down, and placed into a pot with other ingredients, but was not recooked on the stove or in the oven.

The only time a Mezonos would be recited, is if the pieces were broken down smaller than a Zayis, and it does not look like bread. If it looks like bread, or the pieces are larger than a Zayis, Hamotzei is recited.

Scenario 3
Challah is broken down and other ingredients are not added, although the pieces are spiced.

In such a case, a Hamotzei is recited, even if the Challah is ground to look like flour.

Biyur Halacha brings a novel idea. If the Challah Kugel consists of large piece that are recooked, but there are also smaller pieces in the same pan, one can eat the smaller pieces, and recite a Mezonos on them, even though the majority of the kugel requires a Hamotzei. However, if one washed and ate the larger pieces, he obviously will not recite a Mezonos when eating the smaller ones as well.