עברית
Prayer and Blessings
How Long Can One Recite Birkat Hamazon After Eating?
Question
BS"D,
Hello, respected Rabbi,
I heard a halachic lesson from a Rabbi who said that, according to everyone, as long as you are full, you can recite Birkat Hamazon (up to 6 hours). In other words, if you ate filling food and, after two hours, you are still full, you can bless. Conversely, I heard another Rabbi who was asked until when one can bless, and he said until the time of digestion, which is 72 minutes, and after that, one can no longer bless. I wanted to ask the Rabbi, what is your opinion? What is the Halacha in practice?
Thank you
Answer
Greetings,
The matter is as follows: One who has eaten and is full can bless as long as he is still full from his meal, up to six hours. However, one who has only eaten a kezayit, less than a full meal, can only bless for up to 72 minutes.
Sources: See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim (Siman 184, Seif 5) and Mishnah Berurah (S.K. 9) and Halacha Brurah (there, Seif 13, and in Biur Halacha, Ot 11).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
