עברית
Halachot and Customs
Washing Hands Before a Meal of Baked Goods
Question
Hello and blessings!
Dear Rabbi, I understood that when eating a portion of over 216 grams of baked goods, one should wash hands and recite the blessing over bread. If that is known in advance, should one wash hands and recite the blessing over the bread? And at the end of the meal (of the baked goods), one concludes with the birkat hamazon (after washing one's fingers).
Thank you in advance,
Sarit
Answer
Greetings,
1. Indeed, one who intends to eat a quantity of 216 grams or more of baked goods should wash hands with a blessing, recite the hamotzi blessing, wash the hands again at the end of the meal, and recite the birkat hamazon.
Sources: See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim (siman 178, seif 6) and Mishnah Berurah (there, s.k. 26, and siman 168, s.k. 8) and Halachah Berurah (siman 168, seif 3) and Shulchan Aruch HaMikatzar, Part I (siman 34, note 1) and Responsa Sha'arei Yosher, Part II (siman 23). Additionally, see Piskei Teshuvot (siman 168, ot 5).
2. It is important to emphasize that this rule about establishing one's meal on baked goods, for which one recites the hamotzi and birkat hamazon, applies only when the baked goods have been baked in an oven. However, dough that has been boiled or fried is not considered bread, and even if one establishes a meal upon them, one recites borei minei mezonot and al hamichya.
Furthermore, one who eats noodles or other preparations made from any of the five types of grain and establishes a meal upon them does not recite the hamotzi and birkat hamazon, but rather recites borei minei mezonot and al hamichya.
Blessings,
Hillel Meirs
