Birchot Hanehenin
Why do we make Brachot?
To ask permission from Hashem before benefitting from His world.
Are you allowed to talk between a bracha and eating?
No
Are you allowed to make a bracha on food that a waiter hasn't yet served? Why or why not?
No, because it is not in front of you and it may never come
What's the bracha made on almost all fruit?
בורא פרי העץ
Do you make a ברכה on אכילה גסה?
No
If you are allergic to something but not deadly allergic, do you still require a bracha? Why or why not?
Yes because you are still benefitting.
Which hand should someone hold the food when making a bracha if they are a lefty?
Halacha - left hand because it is stronger
Kabbala - right hand because it represents chessed
What is היסח הדעת?
Losing focus, or taking your mind off. When there is היסח הדעת, one is require to make a bracha again before eating more.
Why make a ברכה on water?
Because although it doesn't have a taste, you benefit from quenching your thirst.
What types of benefit are there from eating food?
The taste and the nutrition/energy you get
What act gives you more kavanah while saying the bracah?
Holding the food
What is an example for which היסח הדעת applies?
When someone has decided they don't want to eat anymore.
Do you make a bracha on medicine with a taste?
Yes
If you receive food in a feeding tube, do you make a bracha?
No. Although you get one form of benefit, it is not the normal way of eating.
However, one may praise Hashem in his own words.
When should someone spit out the food if he didn't make a bracha on it?
If the food wouldn't become disgusting or bother other people
What is an example of ספק היסח הדעת?
When someone decides they don't want to eat anymore but they typically change their mind even after that.
Do you make a ברכה on toothpaste? Why or why not?
No, because it is not healthy to consume and although there is secondary benefit from the taste, the primary benefit is cleaning your teeth.
Does one make a bracha on a ghost pepper that is too spicy for most people to eat?
No, because people don't benefit from it and generally refrain from eating it.
What should someone do if they have food in their mouth before making a bracah if they can't spit it out?
Push it to one side of his mouth, say the bracha, then swallow.
Describe a situation when the host needs to make a new bracha but a guest does not.
If the host decided they are not going to continue eating but then changes their mind and serves more food. The host had a היסח הדעת and requires a new bracha, but the guest follows the host and since the host brought out more food, it is still covered by the guest's bracha.