Berachot not covered by hamotsi

Dear Rabbanim,

During a meal, does hamotsi cover raw greens like chard and the like? Is there a need to say ha-adamah?

Would it also cover rice? Is there a need to say mezonot?

Todah rabah!

The hamotzie covers everything eaten during the meal with the exception of desert that by definition is not part of the meal. (Except for wine, which would need its own bracha)

I thought you also needed to say a separate Bracha over uncooked fruit?

As was mentioned above, anything that is part of the meal would be covered under Hamotzi. Anything eaten after the meal as a desert, would require a separate bracha. Fruits are generally eaten after a meal for dessert and therefore would require a bracha. If you are in a situation where uncooked fruits are eaten at the beginning of a meal which is done many times at weddings and other simchas, then they would not require a bracha even though they are uncooked fruits. It all comes down to what purpose is the food that you’re about to eat serve in the main meal. If it serves to enhance your meal then it is rolled into the bracha of Hamotzi.

So, in our family for the Rosh Hashanah simanim, we say hamotzi first to start the “meal proper” and then proceed to say ha-etz on dates and ha-adamah on spinach, etc., followed by the yehi ratzones. Should we stop this practice? Are simanim foods considered part of the meal?

Todah.

Good question.

The solution is simply to say the berachot BEFORE hamotzie and there are no questions. (Similar to the karpas on pesach)

Is the following order OK?

  • Make kidush for the holiday
  • simanim with yehi ratsones & berahot
  • hamosi

Mersi.

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The Rabbi does not approve of that practice, rather say Hamotizi first and then eat the simanim. Brachot should not be said on anything except for fruits such as dates, pomegranates, apples etc.

Got it, but just for my own edification, how is the RH seder I proposed any different from the kiddush, karpas, hamosi order of Pesah? Is the issue avoiding the safek of beraha aharona? If so, then how is it OK for Pesah if it’s really an issue?

Thanks.

It indeed is because of the Safek. On Pesach you should eat less then a kezayit of karpas as well due to this issue.

Understood. So, halacha lema’ase . . . if one does find himself in a situation where he eats fruit and vegetables and then decides to eat a slice of rye bread, bagel a or pizza, does one say beraha aharona for those fruits and vegetables, or are they covered by birkat hamazon?

Thanks!

Covered by Birkat Hamazon