עברית
Prayer and Blessings
Does the Birkat 'Mezonot' retrospectively exempt all types of food?
Question
Hello... In the past year, I have made an effort to bless over everything I have, mainly food and drink. However, sometimes I remember to bless only after the first bite, and then I say the blessing... Also, sometimes I get confused about the type of blessing, meaning "Mezonot" for fish or meat, or "Shehakol" for a cookie, and then I correct myself. Is this problematic or is the blessing considered void? Thank you very much for all the help.
Answer
Greetings,
A. Even if you did not bless before beginning to eat, you must still bless as long as you continue eating (Shulchan Aruch 166:8).
B. Birkat 'Mezonot' retrospectively exempts all foods except for water and salt (Biur Halacha 166:10, "Bamakom," and Hilchot Olam Part 2 page 142), therefore if you mistakenly said Mezonot over fish, you do not need to bless again.
C. Birkat 'Shehakol' retrospectively exempts all types of food and drink, including water and salt (Shulchan Aruch 176:1), so if you mistakenly said Shehakol over a cookie, you do not need to bless again.
Wishing you much success, Hillel Meirs
