a. Which foods require a Bracha Acharona before washing?

If there will be a reasonable break before the meal, all foods require a Bracha Acharona.

If the meal will be eaten in a different location all foods require a Bracha Acharona.

If the meal will be eaten in the same location and there will not be a reasonable break, all regular meal type foods require a Bracha Acharona. For example, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables.

b. Do mezonos foods eaten before a meal require a bracha acharona?

Baked mezonos foods, such as cakes, cookies, and pretzels, do not require a bracha achrona [if eaten in close proximity to the meal, and at the same location], since they are considered to belong to the bread family and are covered by bentching. It is preferable to have specific intention to include these foods when bentching.

Boiled or fried mezonos, such as pasta and blintzes, require a bracha acharona, since they are not related to bread [and thus will not be covered by the bentching on the bread eaten later]. Rice requires a bracha achrona for the same reason.

c. In the second paragraph of Shema we read, "And I shall give plants in you field for your animals, and you shall eat and be satisfied" (Devarim 11:15). The Sages derive from this verse that one must first feed his animals before he himself eats (Brachos 40A). Does this also apply to birds and fish?

Yes.

d. Is there an obligation to feed stray animals?

There is no obligation to feed a hungry ownerless animal, but there is a mitzvah to do so out of compassion to Hashem’s creatures. One may certainly eat before feeding such an animal.

e. Why do some people avoid eating the ends of the loaf?

The popular view is that eating the very tip of the loaf is bad for the memory, but the source for this is unknown.

f. May one sprinkle salt on the bread rather than dip the bread into the salt?

According to Kabbalah, one should dip the bread into the salt and not sprinkle salt onto it. Therefore, if he is using a salt shaker, he should shake some salt onto the table or plate before Hamotzi in order to dip the bread into it. The bread should be dipped in the salt three times.

g. May one hum a tune after washing but before Hamotzi?

No. Whenever forbidden to talk, one may not hum a tune or make any type of sound.

h. May one answer Amen during Bentching?

No. This applies even if one is between brachos, and even if one hears another person concluding the same bracha of bentching that he has just recited. Certainly, one must not answer amen to the phrases in the middle of Yaaleh Veyavo, which is of less importance. The only exception is that one may answer amen to the leader of the Zimun after each Bracha provided that the listener has reached the same place.

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Hakhel MIS

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