Yesterday, we mentioned the Talmudic dictum (Baba Kama 30a) that one who wishes to act in a pious manner should be meticulous in matters of blessings. We have therefore mentioned some examples of things the Poskim write to avoid regarding blessings although this is not necessarily the letter of the law.
The Required Amount When Drinking Wine
The Poskim disagree what the proper amount of wine is in order to necessitate an after-blessing. Some say it is a Revi’it, i.e., approximately 81 cc or 2.7 fluid oz, which is more than an olive’s volume, while others maintain the amount is a Kezayit, an olive’s volume, i.e., twenty-seven grams, as it is regarding foods. Thus, one should preferably try to avoid entering the realm of this disagreement and either drink less than a Kezayit or drink a Revi’it or more, in which case, one will be eligible for the after-blessing according to all opinions. Although according to the letter of the law, one would not recite an after-blessing unless one drank a Revi’it, it is appropriate to circumvent this disagreement.
The Law Regarding Other Beverages
Although the above law is quoted by Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch (210:1) in reference to wine, the Mordechi writes that Rabbeinu Yitzchak was doubtful whether or not the same applies to other beverages as well. It is for this reason that the Mishnah Berura and other Poskim rule that one should preferably try to act stringently regarding other beverages as well.
How Much is a Kezayit
The amount required to necessitate an after-blessing is a Kezayit, an olive’s volume, which we have written repeatedly is twenty-seven grams, equivalent to half an egg’s volume (fifty-four grams). However, not all Poskim agree. Some maintain that a Kezayit equals one-third of an egg’s volume, i.e., eighteen grams. Thus, one should preferably make sure not to eat only eighteen grams of any given food, for this would enter one into the realm of disagreement regarding an after-blessing. Rather, one should either eat less than eighteen grams, which would exempt one from an after-blessing according to all opinions, or eat twenty-seven grams or more, which would obligate one in an after-blessing according to all opinions.
Clearly, one who is meticulous in the above areas is not immediately labeled “pious” and should not advertise oneself as such, rather, these things help elevate one slowly to the lofty levels of piety. Indeed, Maran zt”l warned that after one’s passing, one may not inscribe the title “pious” (“Chassid”) onto the tombstone of the deceased, for there is almost no one in our generation deserving of this title, besides for very select righteous people.
Summary: The required amount of drinking regarding any beverage to necessitate an after-blessing is a Revi’it (2.7 fluid ounces) in one continuous motion. The amount necessary to require an after-blessing on food is a Kezayit (twenty-seven grams). As mentioned, pious individuals avoid entering the realm of doubt regarding matters of blessings.
