Dirshu Mishnah Berurah

We discuss the correct bracha on water in which fruit was soaked.

We discuss the correct bracha required for cornflakes, potato kugel, latkes, potato chips, and more

We investigate when the bracha of borey pri haetz applies to the primary fruit and how bitterness of the fruit affects which bracha is made.

We explore concepts of what is considered the essential ‘fruit’, main and secondary parts, and when food is consumed for medicinal purposes

We learn at what point grapes are considered mature enough to have the bracha of borey pri ha'etz applied to them.

We discuss the correct blessing over fruits and wine

We examine who takes precedence in leading the zimun and the great reward for the one who does so.

We discuss who is best placed to lead birchat hamazon and the blessing of the guest for the host.

It is acceptable within a group of three for the two who have finished and want to bentch to force the third member of the group to stop and listen to the zimun. A single individual cannot force the other two in the group to stop for the zimun if they want to carry on eating.

We learn that it is a disagreement between the Shulchan Aruch and the Rama whether boys below bar mitzvah join to form a zimun. Sephardim permit this whilst Ashkenazim do not.

We learn that although woman do not form a zimun with men, they do form a zimun together with women.

We examine different individuals who are excluded from joining to make a zimun.

We discuss the ruling of the Rama who holds that ideally the requirement to bentch is only fully fulfilled when a person has drunken during a meal (if they were thirsty). We then turn to the proper way to respond to a zimun if you have not eaten anything.

Whilst ideally Halacha requires at least three people who have eaten bread to form a zimun, we discuss where other foods eaten are acceptable for an individual to help form the zimun.

We explore if a zimun can be created when a latecomer joins 2 people who have already finished their meal.

We discus making brachot on prohibited foods, and whether you can join those who eat meat together with those who eat milky foods to form a zimun.

We examine the conditions needed for 2 groups to join together to form a zimun.

We discuss what to do if one or more members of the group forget to make the zimun and start bentching, is there a remedy?

We discuss what happens to the obligation for zimun when groups split and combine afterwards.

We examine when a place becomes "fixed" with a level of permanence in order for individuals to join together in a zimun.

We discuss the conditions required for a zimun to be formed and the need for the first bracha at least to be said out loud for all to hear.

We discuss the obligation when 3 eat together to create a zimun and when you can split into smaller groups to bentch together.

We start our discussion of the zimun said before the mitzvah of birchat hamazon and its correct text.

We discuss the obligation of a worker to say birchat hamazon where his employer may be particular about him taking extra time away from work for this.

We how much and by whom should drink from the Kos shel bracha of wine to fulfil the mitzvah in the best possible way.