Approximately two years ago, we discussed the Halacha that if one tastes a small amount of a food or dish in order to ascertain whether it needs more spices and the like, one need not recite a blessing on this since one’s intention is not to enjoy. The Rambam explains that this applies even if one swallowed that drop of food. Nevertheless, since according to Rabbeinu Chananel, this law only applies if one spits out that drop of food, Maran zt”l writes that before tasting any given dish, it is worthy to specifically intend to enjoy what one is tasting and in this way, one may recite a blessing on it according to all opinions.
One Who Wishes to be Pious
The Gemara (Baba Kama 30a) states that one who wishes to be pious should be meticulous regarding the laws of blessings. Based on this, Maran zt”l writes that in several places where we find a disagreement among the Poskim regarding matters of blessings, although we may rule on this matter in accordance with one opinion, it is worthy to avoid the disagreement altogether. Let us now share some applications of this rule.
A Disagreement Regarding an After-Blessing
We have discussed in the past that the amount to require an after-blessing after eating any given food is an olive’s bulk, i.e., approximately twenty-seven grams. Thus, if one eats this amount of fruit, one must recite the Boreh Nefashot after-blessing. If the fruit belongs to the Seven Species, one must recite the Me’en Shalosh (Al Ha’etz) after-blessing.
Nevertheless, the Poskim (see Tosafot, Berachot 39a) are doubtful whether or not one who eats an entire grape, pomegranate seed, or segment of an orange and the like is required to recite an after-blessing. Since these items may have innate significance because of the fact that they are a full creation, it may, in fact, require one to recite an after-blessing even when eating less than the usual prescribed amount of an olive’s volume. Thus, it is appropriate to avoid this disagreement and not eat an entire grape etc. unless one plans to eat an olive’s volume of that fruit. Doing so would cause one not to be able to recite an after-blessing in spite of several Poskim maintaining that one must.
However, if one eats an olive’s volume of the fruit, one would recite an after-blessing according to all opinions. It is therefore praiseworthy to avoid entering the realm of disagreement and either eat an olive’s volume or more of grapes or eat less than a whole grape.
