Halacha Orach Chaim 168

Someone wants to eat cookies in the middle of a meal. There is a discussion if a Bracha is needed.

According to the Chofetz Chaim in Biyur Halacha opposite page 134, one should almost never recite a Bracha when eating cookies or other items we call Pas Haba Bekisnin in the middle of a meal.

The reason for this is as follows. We mentioned earlier that there are three opininos what Pas Habah Bekisnin is. Accordingly, when someone is snacking on a food that may qualify as Pas Haba Bekisnin, we consider the food in question a Mezonos, because we always rule lenient when it comes to questions on Brachos.

However, when it comes to eating cookies, or other Pas Habah Bekisnin during a meal, we consider the cookies a Hamotzei food. This is because a bread food will not require a Bracha, as a Hamotzei was already recited, and a snack food will require a Bracha, since Mezonos was not recited.

In summary, a Mezonos is recited on cookies instead of Hamotzei when eaten as a snack, but a Bracha is not recited on cookies when eaten during a meal, as we consider it like bread. This is because we always rule leniently, even though these two rules seem contradictory.

The same Halacha should apply by dessert as well, and a Mezonos should not be recited. However, if the Mezonos is a mixture of all three types of Pas Habah Bekisnin, like some jelly cookies, or pie, a Bracha should obviously be said.

Halacha Orach Chaim 168

Most flour product that one recites a Mezonos on we refer to as Pas Habah Bekisnin. These are products that require Hamotzei and Birchas Hamazon if an abundance is eaten, as explained in our last post.

There seems to be a difference of opinion what exactly Pas Habah Bekisnin is.

The Rashba, Tur and others say it is a bread product filled with fruit, nuts or other delicacies. This is similar to Rugalach and Kakush cake.
The Rambam rules Pas Habah Bekisnin is a bread product with a large proportion of other foods intended to alter the bread from tasting like regular bread. This is similar to honey cake, chocolate cake and lemon cake, although the primary example of this, would be a cake made from dough rather than batter.

The Aruch rules that Pas Habah Bekisnin is a bread product that is brittle, like saltines and crackers.

Meimer Mordechei writes that it is likely that these three opinions are all in agreement with each other. We therefore apply the Halachos of Pas Habah Bekisnin to all of them.

The Chazon Ish categorizes, that bread products mixed with other ingredients will only be defined as Pas Habah Bekisnin if there is enough added where most people would consider it cake, rather than bread.

There are food manufacturers that market bread products, like Mezonos rolls. They add apple juice or other liquids instead of water to give them this definition. Based on this Chazon Ish, it is safe to assume that a Mezonos roll is in essence an oxymoron. This is because the apple juice added is not intended to make it a product similar to cake. On the contrary, apple juice is only added to the extent that it will not harm its bread like character. Mezonos rolls are therefore no different from regular rolls, and Hamotei should be recited.

Halacha Orach Chaim 168

There are times one is required to wash on cake and cookies. We will be discussing this in greater detail in future posts, but the general reasoning and guidelines are as follows.

Mezonos is recited on cakes and cookies. Although they are products made with flour and water, and should therefore require Hamotzei, they are not generally used like bread. The Bracha of Hamotzei is designated for flour products that are usually used during a meal.
Someone that eats enough cake and cookies that it is considered a meal, must wash and recite Grace After Meals. In addition, if cake or cookies are used in place of bread in a meal, it will also require washing and Bentching.

There is a difference of opinion how much cake must be consumed in order to require washing, when being eaten without other foods.

According to some, the amount is equal to the size of three or four eggs. This is learned out from Hilchos Eruv. The eggs used for calculating this measurement is also not clear, as the average size of an egg today is different from the size of an average egg in the times of the Talmud. According to the calculations of Reb Chaim Naeh, the amount of four eggs comes to around 230 grams.

Practically speaking, Reduced Fat Oreo cookies have 34 grams per three cookies. Based on this information, one would need to eat a bit more than 22 cookies in order to require washing. Yum.

According to others, one is required to eat enough cake equal to half the size of the Manna in the desert. This is equal to 21.5 eggs. According to the calculations of Reb Chaim Naeh, this comes to about 1236 grams.

Practically speaking, Reduced Fat Oreo cookies have 34 grams per three cookies. Based on this information, one would need to eat a bit less than 110 cookies in order to require washing. Ouch.

Mishna Berura recommends that one should be careful to never eat the amount of cake products exceeding the volume of 4 eggs. The reason for this is because the halacha regarding this matter is inconclusive as to whether the proper amount is 4 eggs or 21.5 eggs.

It is important to note that there are many opinions how to calculate the volume of eggs today. Some are substantially less than the numbers given above.

Halacha Orach Chaim 168

When reciting the Bracha on the bread, it is best to recite the Bracha on a small Challah rather than a slice of bread. This is because a whole Challah is more honorable for the Bracha. As a matter of fact, the Mechaber rules that if there is a Challah cut in half, it is recommended that the two halves be placed together at the time the Bracha is recited so that the Bracha appears to be said on a whole.

The Eliya Raba writes that this can even be done on Shabbos if a whole Challah is not available.

According to the Chaye Adam, the order of preference regarding the recitation of the Bracha is as follows.

1. Wheat and Barley, as they are from the 7 species that are mentioned in the Pasuk regarding Eretz Yisroel.

2. If both breads are made from wheat, or both breads are made from a different grain, like rye, the one that is whole should be used for the Bracha.

3. If both are equal, the better bread should be used.

4. If both are equal, the Bracha should be recited on the larger Challah.

There is a question what should be used for the Bracha if the preferred bread is lower on the list. The accepted Halacha seems to be that the bread enjoyed the most takes precedence, however there are many variables. This follows the opinion of the Pri Megadim.