Talk:Birkat Hamazon

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[edit] Pizza?

I never heard anyone say that it would be ok to omit Birkat Hamazon after pizza, but then again I never thought to question whether pizza was bread. In the interest of avoiding stumbling blocks, we may want to clarify this - or at least some sense of the distinction between "bread" and "bread-like." --Leifern 17:07, 16 February 2006 (UTC)

It is a function of the definition of what constitutes a pat haba'ah be-kisnin. The exact meaning of this halakhic term is a matter of dispute. Many authorities hold that soft bread-like dough like pizza puts it in the category of pat haba'ah be-kisnin and requires handwashing and birkat ha-mazon[1]. JFW | T@lk 18:40, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
I have never heard this said about pizza, although I am not surprised because I have heard arguments that saying Birkat Hamazon is not required after eating bagels, probably for similar reasons. --דניאל - Danielrocks123 contribs 00:30, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Practice in Liberal Judaism: Jewish Renewal

The following text was added:

Some liberal branches of Judaism, especially Jewish Renewal, use entirely different texts for the blessing, often with the addition of English. Popular ones make use of the Biblical commandment to bless after eating ("ve'achalta, ve'savata, u'veratchta")...

However, this Hebrew phrase is found in the standard Orthodox and Conservative text for the Birkat Hamazon, in the paragraph that contains the second of the four blessings (al ha-aretz v'al ha-mazon). Thus, this phrase appears to be an abbreviation, not an entirely different text, although it could perhaps be embedded in a different text. I don't know what Jewish Renewal practice is and I don't have a readily-available source. If someone familiar with Jewish Renewal practice could clarify and source, it would be appreciated. Best, --Shirahadasha 23:57, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

Here is a source that references the two alternative forms of Birkat Hamazon I wrote about - http://www.keddem.org/flyers/Shabbat_Evening_Blessings.pdf - I have no issues with rewording the paragraph to say this is an abbreviation Saul 13 Nov 2006

[edit] Occassional Recitation

Hello, revert deletion of content about moderately observant Jews reciting Birkhat on special occassions but not every meal. This is a common practice, particularly in Conservative Judaism. While we could tweak the language and use a term other than "moderately observant", mentioning this is neither false nor slanderous. --Shirahadasha 05:01, 7 February 2007 (UTC)