The Bracha on Pizza, Pies and Lasagne
Whereas Bentching after eating bread is a Biblical requirement, the Brachos recited before eating were instituted by the Chachamim. Different Brachos were composed for different food types.
Whilst grain grows from the ground, once it has been made into a dough and cooked, its Bracha is upgraded to Mezonos. The Bracha of Hamotzi was established specifically over bread in recognition of its specialness as satisfies the heart[1].
Biblically one is required to Bentch only if one ate bread Kdei Sevia – enough to be full. However, the Chachamim were stringent and require us to say Birkas Hamazon after eating a Kzayis.
This enactment as well as the Bracha of Hamotzi were only applied to the type of bread which people are usually Kovea Seuda on. For these breads, one makes Hamotzi even when eating the smallest measure.
There are types of breads that people are not usually Kovea Seuda on and usually only eat a small amount as a snack[2]. Their blessings will be Mezonos and Al Hamichya. However, if one would eat the volume which most people would consume for a meal even if they are not satisfied by this amount. If one were to eat the measure of Kvias Seuda, they would need to wash, make Hamotzi and Birkas Hamazon[3].
There are different opinions on the measure of Kvias Seuda. For how one should practically conduct themselves, see Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:2.
One of the types of ‘breads’ that fall in this category is Pas Habaah Bekisnin[4]. The Shulchan Aruch[5] brings three definitions for this category and rules that we accept all three definitions. Below we will only discuss the first two definitions (which are the only ones brought in the Seder Birkas Hanahenin of the Alter Rebbe[6]) which are relevant to our practical cases.
Some[7] define Pas Habaah Bekisnin as dough that has been kneaded with milk, oil, eggs, wine and fruit juices as opposed to water which is the usual liquid used to make bread. Such bread would be Mezonos and the after-blessing would be Al Hamichya, unless as person ate Kdei Sevia. If there is also water in the ingredients, we follow the majority liquid. The Shulchan Aruch qualifies that the taste of the fruit juice must be discernible in the taste.
This would include what is colloquially referred to as ‘Mezonos bread’ which is made with fruit juice as the primary liquid.
Others[8] define Pas Habaah Bekisnin as bread that is made with a pocket that is filled with a filling before being baked. The word Kisnin derives from the word Kis meaning a pocket. These filled breads would be Mezonos even if the dough is made with water as the primary liquid. If the dough is baked completely and the filling is only added later, it will remain Hamotzi.
The Shulchan Aruch gives examples of fillings such as honey, sugar, fruit or spices. The Alter Rebbe explains that it is because ‘breads’ with these fillings are eaten for delight and enjoyment rather than for a meal.
In contrast, if the filling is of a food that is usually eaten in the course of a meal, the bread will remain Hamotzi. This includes; fish, meat, cheese and vegetables. Hamotzi is recited even if the filling is the main thing based on the principle that in a mixture that has grain for flavour, the Bracha always follows the grain. This is the ruling of the Alter Rebbe[9] and Mishna Berura[10] and appears to be the explicit ruling of the Shulchan Aruch[11].
In contrast to this ruling, many Acharonim follow the opinion of the Taz[12] that Pas Habaah Bekisnin includes any type of filling, including meat, fish or cheese[13].
Another qualification is that this only applies where the filling is considered “ikar” (primary) so that the food is eaten for delight rather than as sustenance. A bread with some raisins or a small amount of ‘filling’ would remain Hamotzi[14].
The Alter Rebbe[15] writes that this second opinion would argue with the interpretation and maintain that bread that is made with fruit juice etc. would remains Hamotzi even if eating only a small amount.
The Alter Rebbe[16] rules that we can rely on the first opinion to recite Mezonos over breads that are made with fruit juice etc. However, in order to avoid a doubt, a G-d fearing person (Baal Nefesh) should wash and make Hamotzi over proper bread before eating these types of bread.
No such stringency is brought for “filled breads” because it appears that there is no dispute about their status and that they would qualify as Mezonos even according to the first opinion quoted above[17].
Meat Pies
Meat pies are made with dough or pastry that is filled with raw meat and then baked together. Even the dough will have some oil in it, the primary liquid will most likely be water.
According to the distinction discussed above, since the filling is meat, this would not qualify as Pas Habaah Bekisnin and according to the Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura, one have to wash and recite Hamotzi. Birkas Hamazon would be required.
Only according to the lenient opinion of the Ta”z would the meat pie would be Pas Habaah Bekisnin and would be Mezonos and the after-blessing qwould be Al Hamichya, unless one ate enough to qualify as Kvias Seuda.
The same would apply for potato Kenishes and savoury pies which are made with a similar type of dough.
Burekas and savoury pastries
Puff pastry is made by layering oil or margarine between the layers of dough to create the flaky texture when it is baked. The dough is also made with water. The status of Burekas vis-à-vis the Bracha will depend on the exact recipe.
If the primary liquid is the oil, the Brocha would be Mezonos and Al Hamichya unless one ate a Kvias Seuda. Even when eating less than this, a Baal Nefesh should be stringent and first wash and eat a Kzayis of bread that is certainly Hamotzi.
If the primary liquid in the dough is water the Halacha would be the same as meat pies. One would make wash and make Hamotzi even when eating a small amount.
This applies to fillings that are eaten as part of a meal such as potato, spinach, vegetable, cheese etc which do not render the bread Pas Habaah Bekisnin.
In contrast, pastries with sweet fillings such as fruit, chocolate, sweet cheese, cinnamon etc. would be considered Pas Habaah Bekisnin and would be Mezonos. This would apply even if water is the primary liquid.
Pizzas and calzones
Pizza dough is traditionally made with grain-flour and water as a thick bread dough. Even though the dough is baked with a ‘filling’ of cheese, sauce and vegetables, since the ‘filling’ is of a type that is eaten in a meal, it is not considered Pas Habaah Bekisnin according to the Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura. One would need to wash and say Hamotzi even when eating a small amount. If one were to eat a Kzayis one would need to Bentch.
According to those who follow the lenient opinion of the Ta”z, a filling of cheese or vegetables is also considered Pas Habaah Bekisnin and the Bracha will be Mezonos - unless one eats Kdei Kvias Seuda. Even according to this opinion, if the pizza base was previously baked separately by itself and then baked again with the topping (such as frozen ready-made-bases), the pizza would be Hamotzi.
For the perceived convenience of customers who adopt the stricter opinion above, many kosher pizza stores will make the pizza dough with fruit juice in order to make the Pizza “Mezonos”. If the taste of the juice is discernible, these pizzas will be Mezonos and the after blessing will be Al Hamichya, unless one is eating Kdei Kevias Seuda[18].
Based on the ruling of the Alter Rebbe, even when eating a lesser amount of such pizza, a Baal Nefesh should be Machmir to wash and eat a Kzayis of something that is certainly Hamotzi. Note that one cannot be stringent by washing and saying Hamotzi over such a pizza (unless eating Kdei Kevias Seuda) since one will then be saying the incorrect Bracha and needless Brachos in bentching.
What if the dough is cooked instead of baked?
All of the above discussion focuses on dough or pastry that is baked. The Halachos are different if the dough is cooked in liquid instead[19].
Dough that is cooked in liquid will remain Mezonos even if it is made of grain-flour and water as a thick dough and the pieces are large. This is because through cooking, the product loses its status of bread, since bread is baked not cooked. Even if one were to eat more than the volume of Kdei Kvias Seuda, one would say Mezonos and Al Hamichya[20].
An obvious example of this would be pasta. Even though pasta is made of wheat and water, since it is cooked by boiling, it will be Mezonos. Kreplach are subject to the same rule as the dough is cooked through boiling. The Bracha on Kreplach will be Mezonos.
Baked after cooking
If the cooked dough is subsequently baked, the baking reinstates the status of bread and it will be considered Hamotzi even when eating a small quantity. Birkas Hamazon will be required when eating a Kzayis. An example of this would be a boiled bagel. Even though the dough is first boiled, the subsequent baking renders it Hamotzi.
What about Lasagne?
Lasagne is a baked dish where sheets of pasta are layered with a filling (which could be meat, vegetables or cheese) and sauce.
Lasagne can be made with fresh pasta sheets or instant/dried lasagne sheets. Either type is made with flour and water as a pasta dough that is subsequently cooked through boiling. The only difference is that the dried lasagne sheets have been subsequently dehydrated for long-term storage and packaging.
Even though cooked pasta is Mezonos, based on the discussion above, the subsequent baking in the oven should make it Hamotzi. Even though the pasta is baked with a filling, since the filling is the type of food served in a meal, it will be Hamotzi according to the Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura.
According to the lenient view of the Ta”z that the cheese, meat or vegetable filling does qualify as Pas Habaah Bekisnin, the Bracha would be Mezonos. However, if one were to eat Kdei Kevias Seuda, Hamotzi would be required.
Common practise is for people to say Mezonos over lasagne. Some Acharonim justify this practise because flat lasagne pasta sheets do not have the form of bread. However, according to the Alter Rebbe, the form of the bread is irrelevant when discussing something that is made from a thick dough, especially where it is in large pieces.
Accordingly, one should probably recite Hamotzi when eating lasagne. Alternatively, one could avoid the issue by only eating lasagne in the course of a meal where one has washed and eaten bread.
If the lasagne is baked with a large amount of sauce, so that after removing the pasta a large amount of sauce would remain in the pan, one would certainly say Mezonos as this is considered cooking as opposed to baking.
___________________________
[1] Brachos 35b
[2] Beis Yosef 168, Levush
[3] Shulchan Aruch 168:6
[4] Brachos 42a, Shulchan Aruch 168:6
[5] 168:7. The order of the opinions below follow the order in Seder Birkas Hanehnin
[6] The third explanation is brought in Shulchan Aruch Harav
[7] Rambam
[8] Rabbeinu Chananel, Tur, Rashba
[9] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:8
[10] Mishna Berura 168:94
[11] 168:17 discussing a Pashtida – dough that is filled with meat or fish which is Hamotzi
[12] 168:20
[13] See Beur Halacha ד"ה פשטיד"א.
[14] Pri Megadim Mishbetzos Zahav 168:7, Mishna Berura 168:30
[15] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:7
[16] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:9
[17] See Beur Halacha ד"ה כדברי כולם that the Shulchan Aruch holds that there is no argument at all on either definition and therefore there is no stringency for a G-d fearing person in either case.
[18] Some Acharonim write that even when made with juice, pizza will remain Hamotzi because it is a type of food that people are Koveia Seuda on
[19] This applies to dough that is submerged in a large quantity of liquid. If the dough is cooked or fried in shallow liquid, this is considered Tigun – frying. There is an argument whether Tigun also changes the status of the dough or not.
[20] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:12
Whilst grain grows from the ground, once it has been made into a dough and cooked, its Bracha is upgraded to Mezonos. The Bracha of Hamotzi was established specifically over bread in recognition of its specialness as satisfies the heart[1].
Biblically one is required to Bentch only if one ate bread Kdei Sevia – enough to be full. However, the Chachamim were stringent and require us to say Birkas Hamazon after eating a Kzayis.
This enactment as well as the Bracha of Hamotzi were only applied to the type of bread which people are usually Kovea Seuda on. For these breads, one makes Hamotzi even when eating the smallest measure.
There are types of breads that people are not usually Kovea Seuda on and usually only eat a small amount as a snack[2]. Their blessings will be Mezonos and Al Hamichya. However, if one would eat the volume which most people would consume for a meal even if they are not satisfied by this amount. If one were to eat the measure of Kvias Seuda, they would need to wash, make Hamotzi and Birkas Hamazon[3].
There are different opinions on the measure of Kvias Seuda. For how one should practically conduct themselves, see Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:2.
One of the types of ‘breads’ that fall in this category is Pas Habaah Bekisnin[4]. The Shulchan Aruch[5] brings three definitions for this category and rules that we accept all three definitions. Below we will only discuss the first two definitions (which are the only ones brought in the Seder Birkas Hanahenin of the Alter Rebbe[6]) which are relevant to our practical cases.
Some[7] define Pas Habaah Bekisnin as dough that has been kneaded with milk, oil, eggs, wine and fruit juices as opposed to water which is the usual liquid used to make bread. Such bread would be Mezonos and the after-blessing would be Al Hamichya, unless as person ate Kdei Sevia. If there is also water in the ingredients, we follow the majority liquid. The Shulchan Aruch qualifies that the taste of the fruit juice must be discernible in the taste.
This would include what is colloquially referred to as ‘Mezonos bread’ which is made with fruit juice as the primary liquid.
Others[8] define Pas Habaah Bekisnin as bread that is made with a pocket that is filled with a filling before being baked. The word Kisnin derives from the word Kis meaning a pocket. These filled breads would be Mezonos even if the dough is made with water as the primary liquid. If the dough is baked completely and the filling is only added later, it will remain Hamotzi.
The Shulchan Aruch gives examples of fillings such as honey, sugar, fruit or spices. The Alter Rebbe explains that it is because ‘breads’ with these fillings are eaten for delight and enjoyment rather than for a meal.
In contrast, if the filling is of a food that is usually eaten in the course of a meal, the bread will remain Hamotzi. This includes; fish, meat, cheese and vegetables. Hamotzi is recited even if the filling is the main thing based on the principle that in a mixture that has grain for flavour, the Bracha always follows the grain. This is the ruling of the Alter Rebbe[9] and Mishna Berura[10] and appears to be the explicit ruling of the Shulchan Aruch[11].
In contrast to this ruling, many Acharonim follow the opinion of the Taz[12] that Pas Habaah Bekisnin includes any type of filling, including meat, fish or cheese[13].
Another qualification is that this only applies where the filling is considered “ikar” (primary) so that the food is eaten for delight rather than as sustenance. A bread with some raisins or a small amount of ‘filling’ would remain Hamotzi[14].
The Alter Rebbe[15] writes that this second opinion would argue with the interpretation and maintain that bread that is made with fruit juice etc. would remains Hamotzi even if eating only a small amount.
The Alter Rebbe[16] rules that we can rely on the first opinion to recite Mezonos over breads that are made with fruit juice etc. However, in order to avoid a doubt, a G-d fearing person (Baal Nefesh) should wash and make Hamotzi over proper bread before eating these types of bread.
No such stringency is brought for “filled breads” because it appears that there is no dispute about their status and that they would qualify as Mezonos even according to the first opinion quoted above[17].
Meat Pies
Meat pies are made with dough or pastry that is filled with raw meat and then baked together. Even the dough will have some oil in it, the primary liquid will most likely be water.
According to the distinction discussed above, since the filling is meat, this would not qualify as Pas Habaah Bekisnin and according to the Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura, one have to wash and recite Hamotzi. Birkas Hamazon would be required.
Only according to the lenient opinion of the Ta”z would the meat pie would be Pas Habaah Bekisnin and would be Mezonos and the after-blessing qwould be Al Hamichya, unless one ate enough to qualify as Kvias Seuda.
The same would apply for potato Kenishes and savoury pies which are made with a similar type of dough.
Burekas and savoury pastries
Puff pastry is made by layering oil or margarine between the layers of dough to create the flaky texture when it is baked. The dough is also made with water. The status of Burekas vis-à-vis the Bracha will depend on the exact recipe.
If the primary liquid is the oil, the Brocha would be Mezonos and Al Hamichya unless one ate a Kvias Seuda. Even when eating less than this, a Baal Nefesh should be stringent and first wash and eat a Kzayis of bread that is certainly Hamotzi.
If the primary liquid in the dough is water the Halacha would be the same as meat pies. One would make wash and make Hamotzi even when eating a small amount.
This applies to fillings that are eaten as part of a meal such as potato, spinach, vegetable, cheese etc which do not render the bread Pas Habaah Bekisnin.
In contrast, pastries with sweet fillings such as fruit, chocolate, sweet cheese, cinnamon etc. would be considered Pas Habaah Bekisnin and would be Mezonos. This would apply even if water is the primary liquid.
Pizzas and calzones
Pizza dough is traditionally made with grain-flour and water as a thick bread dough. Even though the dough is baked with a ‘filling’ of cheese, sauce and vegetables, since the ‘filling’ is of a type that is eaten in a meal, it is not considered Pas Habaah Bekisnin according to the Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura. One would need to wash and say Hamotzi even when eating a small amount. If one were to eat a Kzayis one would need to Bentch.
According to those who follow the lenient opinion of the Ta”z, a filling of cheese or vegetables is also considered Pas Habaah Bekisnin and the Bracha will be Mezonos - unless one eats Kdei Kvias Seuda. Even according to this opinion, if the pizza base was previously baked separately by itself and then baked again with the topping (such as frozen ready-made-bases), the pizza would be Hamotzi.
For the perceived convenience of customers who adopt the stricter opinion above, many kosher pizza stores will make the pizza dough with fruit juice in order to make the Pizza “Mezonos”. If the taste of the juice is discernible, these pizzas will be Mezonos and the after blessing will be Al Hamichya, unless one is eating Kdei Kevias Seuda[18].
Based on the ruling of the Alter Rebbe, even when eating a lesser amount of such pizza, a Baal Nefesh should be Machmir to wash and eat a Kzayis of something that is certainly Hamotzi. Note that one cannot be stringent by washing and saying Hamotzi over such a pizza (unless eating Kdei Kevias Seuda) since one will then be saying the incorrect Bracha and needless Brachos in bentching.
What if the dough is cooked instead of baked?
All of the above discussion focuses on dough or pastry that is baked. The Halachos are different if the dough is cooked in liquid instead[19].
Dough that is cooked in liquid will remain Mezonos even if it is made of grain-flour and water as a thick dough and the pieces are large. This is because through cooking, the product loses its status of bread, since bread is baked not cooked. Even if one were to eat more than the volume of Kdei Kvias Seuda, one would say Mezonos and Al Hamichya[20].
An obvious example of this would be pasta. Even though pasta is made of wheat and water, since it is cooked by boiling, it will be Mezonos. Kreplach are subject to the same rule as the dough is cooked through boiling. The Bracha on Kreplach will be Mezonos.
Baked after cooking
If the cooked dough is subsequently baked, the baking reinstates the status of bread and it will be considered Hamotzi even when eating a small quantity. Birkas Hamazon will be required when eating a Kzayis. An example of this would be a boiled bagel. Even though the dough is first boiled, the subsequent baking renders it Hamotzi.
What about Lasagne?
Lasagne is a baked dish where sheets of pasta are layered with a filling (which could be meat, vegetables or cheese) and sauce.
Lasagne can be made with fresh pasta sheets or instant/dried lasagne sheets. Either type is made with flour and water as a pasta dough that is subsequently cooked through boiling. The only difference is that the dried lasagne sheets have been subsequently dehydrated for long-term storage and packaging.
Even though cooked pasta is Mezonos, based on the discussion above, the subsequent baking in the oven should make it Hamotzi. Even though the pasta is baked with a filling, since the filling is the type of food served in a meal, it will be Hamotzi according to the Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura.
According to the lenient view of the Ta”z that the cheese, meat or vegetable filling does qualify as Pas Habaah Bekisnin, the Bracha would be Mezonos. However, if one were to eat Kdei Kevias Seuda, Hamotzi would be required.
Common practise is for people to say Mezonos over lasagne. Some Acharonim justify this practise because flat lasagne pasta sheets do not have the form of bread. However, according to the Alter Rebbe, the form of the bread is irrelevant when discussing something that is made from a thick dough, especially where it is in large pieces.
Accordingly, one should probably recite Hamotzi when eating lasagne. Alternatively, one could avoid the issue by only eating lasagne in the course of a meal where one has washed and eaten bread.
If the lasagne is baked with a large amount of sauce, so that after removing the pasta a large amount of sauce would remain in the pan, one would certainly say Mezonos as this is considered cooking as opposed to baking.
___________________________
[1] Brachos 35b
[2] Beis Yosef 168, Levush
[3] Shulchan Aruch 168:6
[4] Brachos 42a, Shulchan Aruch 168:6
[5] 168:7. The order of the opinions below follow the order in Seder Birkas Hanehnin
[6] The third explanation is brought in Shulchan Aruch Harav
[7] Rambam
[8] Rabbeinu Chananel, Tur, Rashba
[9] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:8
[10] Mishna Berura 168:94
[11] 168:17 discussing a Pashtida – dough that is filled with meat or fish which is Hamotzi
[12] 168:20
[13] See Beur Halacha ד"ה פשטיד"א.
[14] Pri Megadim Mishbetzos Zahav 168:7, Mishna Berura 168:30
[15] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:7
[16] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:9
[17] See Beur Halacha ד"ה כדברי כולם that the Shulchan Aruch holds that there is no argument at all on either definition and therefore there is no stringency for a G-d fearing person in either case.
[18] Some Acharonim write that even when made with juice, pizza will remain Hamotzi because it is a type of food that people are Koveia Seuda on
[19] This applies to dough that is submerged in a large quantity of liquid. If the dough is cooked or fried in shallow liquid, this is considered Tigun – frying. There is an argument whether Tigun also changes the status of the dough or not.
[20] Seder Birkas Hanehenin 2:12