The Brocho of Leisheiv Basukkah is recited only when eating more than a K’beitzah of Hamotzie or Mezonos. [A K’beitzah is a measurement of volume equal to the displacement of 57ml of water.] A K’beitzah can be consumed more expediently with cake than with cookies or biscuits.
One first recites Hamotzie or Mezonos, followed by Leisheiv Basukkah, whilst seated. If one forgets, he recites Leisheiv Basukkah as soon as he remembers. Even if he has already finished eating, he still recites the Brocho as long as he is still in the Sukkah. One looks at the Schach before reciting the Brocho of Leisheiv Basukkah.
When one drinks wine or grape juice, or any other beverage that is normally sipped at length or enjoyed when sharing company (such as tea, coffee and other alcoholic beverages), one does not recite Leisheiv Basukkah. However, it is best to drink such beverages after reciting Leisheiv Basukkah on Hamotzie or Mezonos.
If one already recited Leisheiv Basukkah, he needs to recite it next when either:
- He left the Sukkah for an hour or two – even if he didn’t intend to stay out for that long.
- He intended to leave the Sukkah for an hour or two – even if he returned earlier than planned.
- When visiting another Sukkah. Even if he began eating a meal in the first Sukkah with the intention of finishing in the second Sukkah, in which case he does not need to recite a new Brocho on the bread, he still needs to recite Leisheiv Basukkah. [In many instances, Leisheiv Basukkah is recited when visiting another Sukkah even if one isn’t eating there. To avoid confusion, it is customary to always eat more than a K’beitzah of Hamotzie or Mezonos when visiting another Sukkah.]
Although women are not obligated to sit in the Sukkah, they may make the Brocho of Leisheiv Basukkah nonetheless.
Boys are trained to eat in the Sukkah from around the age of five or six, as per the child’s maturity. Therefore, they must recite the Brocho. [A father must ensure that his child eats in the Sukkah. Anyone other than the father is not obligated to do so, and may give the child food even if the child will eat it outside the Sukkah. Nevertheless, one may not feed the child directly or actively encourage him to eat outside the Sukkah.]
