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.
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. 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.
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. The Shulchan Aruch 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) which are relevant to our practical cases.
Dough made with fruit juice
Some 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. The name Kisnin derives from the word Kosses which means to chew on, alluding to the fact that these breads are not eaten as a meal but rather as a snack.
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.
Dough baked with a filling
Others 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 and Mishna Berura and appears to be the explicit ruling of the Shulchan Aruch.
In contrast to this ruling, many Acharonim follow the opinion of the Taz that Pas Habaah Bekisnin includes any type of filling, including meat, fish or cheese.
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.
The Alter Rebbe writes that those who follow this interpretation, 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 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”.
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 would 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.
