Volume 4 • Issue 19Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits
Reviewed by Rabbi Benzion Schiffenbauer Shlita
All Piskei Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita are reviewed by
Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita

Halachos of Coffee{Part 1}

Coffee is a widely consumed stimulant beverage prepared from roasted beans of thecoffee plant. Coffee has been around for hundreds of years (beginning in the ninth century).
Today, there are many types of coffee, such as espresso, cappuccino, and latte.
Coffee appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and diabetes.
Some say that although coffee can cause some medical problems, the opinion of mostmedical experts is that drinking up to three eight-ounce cups of coffee per day does not havesignificant health risks for adults.1
Many people drink a cup of coffee every day, while others drink multiple cups.2 There
are many halachic issues which arise when drinking coffee. These issues will be discussed at
length in this issue.

1. Refer to www.coffeedetective.com.
2. One of the reasons so many people drink coffee is because it wakes them up. The reason for this is because
brain cells release adenosine when they are overworked. This slows downs the work load of the brain cells
to give them time to relax. The caffeine blocks the adenosine and the brain does not slow down (www.
coffeedetective.com).

HAlAchos of coffee | 1‫אין לו‬‫להקב"ה‬‫בעולמו‬'‫אלא ד‬‫אמות‬‫של הלכה‬...‫בלבד‬).‫(ברכות ח‬

The halachos are listed in the order that they appear in Shulchan Aruch.

Wearing Tefillin and Drinking Coffee
The Shulchan Aruch3 says one who is going to eat a large meal should take off his tefillin,
but if he is eating a temporary meal then there is no need to do so. The reason is because
we are afraid he may become drunk at a large meal and it will be a disgrace to the tefillin.4
Some poskim feel that the Shulchan Aruch’s rule applied in his times when tefillin were worn
all day, However, today maybe it would be different since we only wear it for krias shema anddavening.5 However, others are stringent even today.6
L’maseh, the custom is to be lenient and permit the drinking of coffee while wearing
tefillin.7

Drinking Coffee before Davening
The poskim say that drinking water is permitted before davening, as this is not a haughty
act.8 Others are more stringent with this.9 Any drink that will bring one to intoxication isprohibited before davening.10 In previous years, drinking coffee with milk and sugar wasconsidered a haughty act.11 Today, this is not the case, and one is permitted to drink coffeewith sugar and milk before davening if it is necessary to enable one to concentrate during
davening.12 An ice coffee made with a lot of milk, or cappuccino, etc. is not permitted.13

Pas Shacharis
According to the basic reading of the Shulchan Aruch it seems that one should wash for

3. O.C. 40:8.
4. Mishnah Berurah 17.
5. Mishnah Berurah 19. The shiur of a temporary meal is a kebetziah (Mishnah Berurah 20).
6. Aruch Ha’shulchan 5.
7. Teshuros Shai 1:215, Tzitz Eliezer 7:27:1, Rivevos Ephraim 2:27:20, 2:48:9:11:2. The Chai Moshe 1:page
168 says that the Chasam Sofer wore tefillin and drank a coffee while giving a shiur.

‫כל השונה‬‫כל‬‫הלכות‬‫בכל יום‬‫מובטח‬‫לו שהוא‬‫בן עולם‬...‫הבא‬).‫עג‬).‫(נדה עג‬‫(נדה‬

8. Rosh ibid, Madanei Yom Tov 50, Tur, Bais Yosef, Shulchan Aruch 3, Magen Avraham 11, Mishnah Berurah
22, Aruch Ha’shulchan 23, Yalkut Yosef page 146, Ketzos Ha’shulchan 11:2. The Aruch Ha’shulchan 23
permits the drinking of seltzer and lemonade before shacharis.
9. Ben Ish Chai Yisro 1:18, Kaf Ha’chaim 30,34, Be’er Hetiv 11.
10. Mishnah Berurah 22, Kaf Ha’chaim 33, Oz Nedberu 11:46.
11. Refer to Be’er Hetiv 11, Machtzis Ha’shekel 11, Sdei Chemed Rosh Hashana page 288, Chai Adom 16:1,
Kaf Ha’chaim 31, Mishnah Berurah 22, Ohr L’tzyion 2:7:7, Siach Ha’tefilla page 624, Nekius V’kovod
B’tefilla page 180:104.
12. Harav Yisroel Belsky shlita, see Eretz Tzvi 2:1, Teshuros Shai 367, Keren L’Dovid 21:4, Aruch Ha’shulchan
23, Orchos Chaim 10, Ketzos Ha’shulchan 11:2, Teshuvos V’hanhugos 1:73, Divrei Chachumim 4:44, Tefilla
K’hilchoso 6:13 quoting Harav Elyashiv Shlita, Yalkut Yosef page 146, Minhag Yisroel Torah, Yabea Omer
3:19:4, 4:11, Halichos Shlomo 2:2, Oz Nedberu 11:46, Shearim Metzuyanim B’halacha 8:2, Mivakshei
Torah 3:page 248, Nishmas Avraham 1:page 53, Orchos Rabbeinu 1:181 page 57, Avnei Yushfei 5:14:4.
13. Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita.

2 | HAlAchicAllY SpeAKiNg

bread every morning in order to have pas shacharis.14 However, many say one is not required
to eat bread, and whatever one eats in the morning is sufficient, as long as it is filling.15
Some say one should be careful to have a food that is mezonos.16 Accordingly, breakfast
cereals which are made from the five grains may be used as pas shacharis (i.e. Cheerios®,
Oatmeal, Farina, etc.).17 Others say having a coffee in the morning is sufficient.18 The shiurfor one who eats is a kebeitzah.19 One who has nothing to eat can drink water.20 Even one
who is traveling should still try to have pas shacharis.21

Dipping Danish into CoffeeSome people like to dip their danish into coffee before eating it. The question arises if thecoffee is considered a tafel to the danish. L’maseh, in most situations the coffee and danish
are both the ikkur. In a situation where the coffee may not be eaten as an ikkur, the Mishnah
Berurah22 advises to first recite a beracha on the danish and then a shehakol on a different
shehakol item which will exempt the coffee from a beracha.

Zimon when Drinking Coffee
If two people sit down to a meal which includes bread, and a third person wishes to join
them, they should ask him to eat bread with them so they can recite zimun together.23 If hedoes not want to eat bread then the third person may eat any food which is a kezayis.24 If thethird person drank fruit juice then zimun can also be said.25 Some poskim are of the opinion
that coffee and tea is also sufficient and the three people can say zimun.26 Others allow soda
or lemonade,27 while others argue with this.28 If the third person drank water no zimun is

14. Chacham Tzvi 15:pages 50-51 (new).
15. Eishel Avraham Butchatch 155.
16. Pri Megadim M.Z 155: 1, Kaf Ha’chaim 23, Ohr L’tzyion 2:10:6, Rivevos Ephraim 3:590:21, 35.
17. HaravYisroel Belsky Shlita.
18. Eishel Avraham Butchatch, Kaf Ha’chaim 23, Minhag Yisroel Torah 155:16. Some say it is segula toremember (Piskei Teshuvos 155:footnote 58, Kuntres Zichron Shneur 70:see 58).
19. M.Z. 155:1, Kaf Ha’chaim 29, refer to Biur Halacha “yuchul.”
20. Kaf Ha’chaim 29. Refer to Shar Ha’tzyion 155:3.
21. Toras Haderech 6:15:page 75.
22. 168:65, Shar Ha’tzyion 63.
23. Shulchan Aruch 197:3.
24. Shulchan Aruch ibid, Mishnah Berurah 22. One should preferably eat pas haba b’kisnin (Mishnah Berurah
197:19).
25. Refer to Mishnah Berurah 197:14, 20, Vezos Ha’beracha page 130:3.
26. Teshuvos V’hanhugos 1:183, Keitzad M’zamin 9:29, Vezos Ha’beracha page 130:3 quoting the opinionof HaravShternbuch Shlita, Sharei Ha’beracha 5:footnote 18, see Piskei Teshuvos 197:2. Refer to Kovetz
Teshuvos (Harav Elyashiv Shlita) 1:22 who says tea is not good for this halacha. See Ohr L’tzyion 2:46:32
who is stringent since coffee is mainly water.
27. Mishnah Berurah 197:12, Aruch Ha’shulchan 197:5.
28. Vezos Ha’beracha ibid quoting the opinion of Harav Shternbuch Shlita and Harav Fisher zt”l.

HAlAchos of coffee {part 1} | 3‫אין לו‬‫להקב"ה‬‫בעולמו‬'‫אלא ד‬‫אמות‬‫של הלכה‬...‫בלבד‬).‫(ברכות ח‬recited.29

Beracha on Coffee at the End of a Meal
A drink which is meant to satisfy someone is included with the beracha made on thebread in the beginning of a meal, but if it is not part of the meal then one recites a beracha
on it.30 This halacha has ramifications in regards to coffee. Many poskim say that no beracha
is recited on any drink which is drunk at the end of a meal, 31 while others say a beracha isrecited.32 Other poskim say if it is the normal manner to drink coffee at the end of a meal
then no beracha is recited on it, but if it is not the normal manner then a beracha is recited.33
Some are of the opinion to make a shehakol on a sugar cube and the beracha will go on thecoffee.34

Beracha on a Hot Drink
One should make sure that one can drink the beverage before one recites the beracha.35
Therefore, one should blow very hot coffee to cool it down before reciting a beracha.

Drinking Water to Clear Throat
The beracha rishona recited on water is a shehakol,36 and the beracha achrona is a borei
nefoshos.37 This beracha is only recited if one is thirsty for water.38 If one is not thirsty, thenone does not recite a beracha rishona or a beracha achrona.39 The reason is because water itself

29. Biur Halacha 204 “ha’shoseh,” Aruch Ha’shulchan 197:5, see Magen Avraham 197:6 who argues.
30. Shulchan Aruch 174:7, Chai Adom 43:1. See Vezos Ha’beracha page 73.
31. Refer to Ben Ish Chai Nosso 1:6, Mishnah Berurah 174:39, Rivevos Ephraim 8:72.
32. Chai Adom 43:11, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 43:7, Rivevos Ephraim 8:485:2. Refer to Aruch Ha’shulchan
174:14 who says a beracha is made on tea, but is not made on coffee.
33. Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:72. The Briska Rav zt”l recited on beracha on coffee at the end of a meal. See Oz
Nedberu 10:22.
34. Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita. See Mishnah Berurah 174:39, Be’er Moshe 5:50.
35. Elya Rabbah 202:1, Mishnah Berurah 206:12, Aruch Ha’shulchan 202:11, Kaf Ha’chaim 206:22.

‫כל השונה‬‫כל‬‫הלכות‬‫בכל יום‬‫מובטח‬‫לו שהוא‬‫בן עולם‬...‫הבא‬).‫עג‬).‫(נדה עג‬‫(נדה‬

36. Mishnah Mesechtas Berochos 44a, Gemorah 44b-45a, Tosfas “d’chankusei,” Rosh 6:43, Rif page 32a, Tur
204, Shulchan Aruch 204:7, Levush 7, Lekutei Halachas 2:282:283, Chai Adom 49:9, Ben Ish Chai Matos
1:12, Aruch Ha’shulchan 18, Halichos Olom 1:page 350. If one recited a borei nefoshos as a beracha rishona onwater he was yotzei b’dieved (Kaf Ha’chaim 37, Rivevos Ephriam 2:77).
37. Refer to Gemorah ibid 45a, Tosfas ibid, Rashi “maiy.”
38. Refer to Rashba Berochos 45a:page 40 (old). The Mishnah Berurah 40 says even if one is not thirsty
however if his body has enjoyment from the water a beracha is recited. The Tama D’kra (page 209 haftora to
Parshas Noach) explains this Gemorah in aggadic terms. Water is comparable to Torah if one is not thirsty
for Torah then he cannot acquire Torah.
39. 39 Rosh Berochos 6:43, Rabbeinu Yona Berochos page 64, Rambam Hilchos Berochos 8:1, Tur, Shulchan
Aruch 204:7, Be’er Heitiv 13, Ben Ish Chai Mattos 1:12, Kaf Ha’chaim 44,46, Yufei Leleiv 204:10. The
Butchatch is of the opinion that even though one might not recite a beracha rishona on water when he is notthirsty, one does recite a beracha achrona. The poskim disagree with this ruling. (Shevet Ha’Levi 9:42, Piskei
Teshuvos 204:footnote 61, Yabea Omer 5:18). The Vezos Ha’beracha page 311:3 says when one is drinking

4 | HAlAchicAllY SpeAKiNg

has no taste, and one who is not drinking it in order to quench his thirst, is not having any
enjoyment from the water.40 One who has a food particle stuck in his throat, and wants todrink water to clear his throat would not recite a beracha since he is not drinking the waterfor enjoyment.41

Other Beverages – Seltzer / Mineral /Spring Water
When one drinks any beverage, that has a taste, a beracha is recited.42 Therefore, if one
drinks cold coffee, orange juice, etc. when he is taking a pill (even without being thirsty) aberacha would be recited since coffee and orange juice has a taste.
One who is not thirsty and drinks coffee without sugar and does not have enjoyment
would not recite a beracha. 43

Beracha Rishona
The halacha is if one takes a vegetable etc and cooks it the beracha on the water is thesame beracha as the vegetable, etc.44 Therefore, the beracha on coffee should be an ha’etz.
However, the custom is that the beracha recited on coffee (in the liquid state) is shehakol.45
Some say the reason is because the water is the main ingredient.46
No beracha is recited if one eats ground coffee beans by themselves.47

water, other than to quench his thirst it is not called drinking, and therefore a beracha is not recited.
40. Tosfas ibid, Magen Avraham 18, Be’er Heitiv 13, Machtzis Ha’shekel, Levush 7, Chai Adom 49:9, Biur
Halacha “hashosei,” Shar Ha’tzyion 34, Aruch Ha’shulchan 18, Kaf Ha’chaim 45. See Taz 114:1, Shach 1
and Aruch Ha’shulchan 12 regarding beer and bishul akum.
41. Gemorah ibid, Tosfas ibid, Shulchan Aruch ibid, Levush ibid, Shulchan Aruch Harav 13, Chai Adom ibid,
Biur Halacha “d’chankusei,” Aruch Ha’shulchan ibid.
42. Tosfas ibid, Shiltei Geborim Berochos 6:5, Tur, Magen Avraham 18, Machtzis Ha’shekel, Be’er Heitiv
13, Gra 22, Levush 8, Shulchan Aruch Harav 13, Ben Ish Chai Mattos 1:12, Mishnah Berurah 42, Aruch
Ha’shulchan 19, Pischei Halacha Berochos 4:10. If the drink has a shem mashka then one would recite aberacha on it. (Vezos Ha’beracha page 114:16). Petel is a drink which is found mainly in Eretz Yisroel and ismostly water, but has a flavor to it therefore one would recite a beracha on it even if one is not thirsty (seeEishel Avraham Butchatch, Sharei Ha’beracha 18:footnote 75).
43. Shevet Ha’kehusi 1:96. One who is drinking water in order to exempt the coffee from a boreh nefoshos is notdoing a valid action (Yabea Omer O.C. 5:18:8).
44. Mesechtas Berochos 39a, Shulchan Aruch 205:1.
45. Halachos Ketanos 1:9, Shevus Yaakov 2:5, Birchei Yosef 202:9, Ben Ish Chai Pinchus 1:10, Be’er Heitiv
202:19, Sheilas Yaavetz 2:142, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 53:3, Kaf Ha’chaim 202:70, Pachad Yitzchok(Cofffee) 7:page 60, Rivevos Ephraim 5:148, Yalkut Yosef 3:page 338:14, Chazzon Ovadia (Tu B’shevat)
pages 282-283, Piskei Teshuvos 202:28, Rivevos Ephraim 6:79, Sharei Ha’beracha 17:44 and pages
680-681:footnote 654. If one recited ha’etz he was yotzei (Opinion of the Yabea Omer quoted in Yalkut Yosef
ibid page 339, see V’sein Beracha page 450:footnote 21 who says this is not true for instant coffee). See
Panim M’eros 1:95, 190. Refer to Pnei Ha’shulchan pages 178-180.
46. Refer to Pnei Ha’shulchan page 179, see Shulchan Aruch Harav 202:12, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 53:3,
Yechaveh Da’as 4:42.
47. Piskei Teshuvos 202:page 707, Sharei Ha’beracha page 681. See Sharei Ha’beracha page 713.

HAlAchos of coffee {part 1} | 5‫אין לו‬‫להקב"ה‬‫בעולמו‬'‫אלא ד‬‫אמות‬‫של הלכה‬...‫בלבד‬).‫(ברכות ח‬

Beracha Achrona
There is a big discussion in the poskim if one recites a beracha achrona on coffee, tea or avery cold liquid since one does not drink the coffee within the shiur allotted for drinking abeverage (kedi sh’tiyas reviis).48 Some say that a beracha achrona may be recited since coffee
is meant to drink hot, it is the derech, for it to take a long time to drink.49 However, theopinion of many poskim is that a beracha achrona is not recited.50 Others say that in order togo according to all opinions, one should let the coffee cool off and leave a reviis over at theend and recite a boreh nefoshos on that shiur.51 Some poskim suggest one should put a sugar
cube in his mouth so that the beracha achrona on the sugar will exempt the coffee.52

Beracha on Smelling Coffee
One who smells the fragrance of coffee does not recite a beracha on it.53 Some say if one
has intention to smell it than a beracha should be made,54 and the beracha is hanosson reiach
tov b’peiros.55

48. Some say the shiur is about a minute (Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Seder Birchos Haneinen 8:5, SharHa’tzyion 210:11). Harav Zilber Shlita says it means about two minutes (Vezos Ha’beracha page 351). Refer
to Rivevos Ephraim 4:53 who says the shiur is twenty seconds. Refer to Kashrus Kurrents from the Star-K
who says the shiur is thirty seconds. Some say it means three sips (Vezos Ha’beracha page 227).
49. Maharam Shik O.C. 85, Melamed L’huyel O.C. 1:25, Opinion of Harav Wosner Shlita quoted in Sharei
Ha’beracha page 304:footnote 42. Refer to Halachos Ketanos 1:9, Sharei Teshuva 204:12, Panim M’eros
2:27, Shulchan Aruch Harav in Seder Birchos Haneinen 8:6, Da’as Torah 204:7, Teshuvos V’hanhugos
2:135 quoting the opinions of the Chasam Sofer and the Divrei Chaim, Pnei Ha’shulchan pages 284-285,
Betzel Hachuchma 3:114:5, Shevet Ha’Levi 1-:42:13. The opinion of Harav Wosner Shlita is that a boreh
nefoshos is recited even if it took longer than the shiur of sh’tiyas reviis (Quoted in Sharei Ha’beracha page304:footnote 42. The reason is because some say the shiur that one has to drink is from 2-9 minutes). Opinionof the father of the Piskei Teshuvos quoted in Piskei Teshuvos 688:footnote 23, opinions of Harav Elyashiv
Shlita quoted in Vezos Ha’beracha page 227, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 54:footnote 96 quoting theopinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l. See Maharam Shik O.C. 263, Divrei Yisroel 3:159:2. Somesay one should drink it within two minutes (Refer to Vezos Ha’beracha page 228, Avnei Yushfei 1:41).

‫כל השונה‬‫כל‬‫הלכות‬‫בכל יום‬‫מובטח‬‫לו שהוא‬‫בן עולם‬...‫הבא‬).‫עג‬).‫(נדה עג‬‫(נדה‬

50. Ben Ish Chai Massei 1:9, Birchei Yosef 204:5, Moreh B’etzbah 3:96, Chai Adom 50:15, Nishmas Adom
1:50:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 51:6, Mishnah Berurah 210:1, Aruch Ha’shulchan 202:7, Kaf Ha’chaim
204:40, Yabea Omer O.C. 5:18 in great depth, Rivevos Ephraim 1:131, 4:53, , 5:166, 8:86, see 8:475, E’ven
Pina 1:9:page 9, Ohr L’tzyion 2:14:27, Yabea Omer O.C. 5:18. Some say no beracha achrona is recited on
coffee even one one has ice coffee since one is not used to making a beracha achrona on it (Ohr L’tzyion
ibid:footnote 27).
51. Be’er Heitiv 204:12, Mishnah Berurah 210:1, Birchos Habayis 16:14, Yabea Omer O.C. 5:18, Rivevos
Ephraim 2:77:page 129, see Aruch Ha’shulchan ibid.
52. Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Maharam Shik O.C. 85.
53. Kaf Ha’chaim 86, Lekutei Maharich ibid:page 265, Birchos Hareiach page 130:9.
54. Yaskil Avdi 8:14 in the hashmutos, Vezos Ha’beracha page 174 quoting the opinion of HaravFisher zt”l.
Refer to Oleinu L’sha’be’ach 2:page 599.
55. Mishnah Berurah 216:16.

6 | HAlAchicAllY SpeAKiNg

Kiddush (or Havdala)56 on Coffee (and other drinks)
Many times it can happen that one who does not have wine may have other drinks, andthe question arises which drinks are permitted to be used for kiddush or havdala. (This entire
discussion does not pertain to Friday night, and if one does not have any wine or grape
juice he has to make kiddush on challah).57 (A detailed discussion on the topic of chamar
medina will IY”H appear in volume six of Halachically Speaking).
Coffee and Tea
Some poskim say that tea and coffee may be used as chamar medina,58 while others say it
is not considered chamar medina.59 However, many poskim say that tea with sugar may only
be used if he has no other beverage which is a chamar medina beverage.60 The following
are reasons why it is questionable if coffee is considered chamar medina 1. it is not clear if
coffee is a mashka since it is merely water which has absorbed the flavor of the coffee beans.
This is the reason why there is no problem of bishul akum by coffee (this topic will IY”H
be discussed in at a later time), since bishul akum does not apply to water.61 2. One usuallydrinks coffee for its caffeine content, rather than as an important drink. This can be seenfrom the fact that one does not drink coffee because he necessarily likes it, rather one drinks
coffee to strengthen his performance, or to wake him up.
It should be noted that those who rely on the lenient opinion should put milk62 and sugarin the coffee, and sugar in the tea when using it for chamar medina.63

56. One may use chamar medina by havdala even if there is wine available (Refer to Shulchan Aruch 296:2, Ohr
L’tzyion 2:22:2:footnote 2).
57. Rama 272:9, Mishnah Berurah 28, Yesodo Yeshurin 4:page 454, Nishmas Shabbos 2:100. However, if he
has no wine or bread for his Friday night meal he may use chamar medina in order not to lose out on kiddush(Kaf Ha’chaim 272:50).
58. Refer to Da’as Torah 296:2, Aruch Ha’shulchan 272:14, Ashrei Yiladito pages 233-234, Rabbi Webster on
Pregnancy and Childbirth in the Hebrew section pages 40-41:57. Opinion of Harav Sheinberg Shlita quoted
in Divrei Chachumim page 86:227, The Radiance of Shabbos page 74:footnote 16. See Rivevos Ephraim
4:186:1.
59. Ketzos Ha’shulchan 97:badi 8, Machzei Eliyahu 34, Yesodo Yeshurin 4:pages 454-455, Ohr L’tzyion
2:20:19, Yechaveh Da’as 2:38, Yabea Omer 3:19.
60. Refer to Aruch Ha’shulchan 272:14, 296:13, Igros Moshe ibid about tea, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso
53:11, Tzitz Eliezer 8:16, Rivevos Ephraim 4:186, Nishmas Shabbos 2:104, Kovetz Bais Aron V’Yisroel
60:pages 75-78. Refer to Minchas Shabbos 96:6. The Tzitz Eliezer 14:42 says many gedolim in Eretz Yisroel
and in Chutz L’aretz made havdala on black coffee or coffee with milk. The opinion of the Yechaveh Da’as
2:38 is that if one used coffee or tea as chamar medina then he has to repeat kiddush or havdala. Refer to Yabea
Omer 3:19 who says if one can not drink wine on Shabbos day because it causes damage to him, then if
making it on beer is not possible because he can not drink the shiur on an empty stomach, then he can makeit on coffee, tea etc. The Tzitz Eliezer ibid says using coffee etc is permitted even for havdala.
61. Refer to Machzei Eliyahu 34.
62. Refer to Tzitz Eliezer 8:16 who says adding milk to coffee is not necessary. See Kovetz Bais Aron V’Yisroel
59:page 144.
63. Machzei Eliyahu 34.

HAlAchos of coffee {part 1} | 7‫אין לו‬‫להקב"ה‬‫בעולמו‬'‫אלא ד‬‫אמות‬‫של הלכה‬...‫בלבד‬).‫(ברכות ח‬

Drinking Coffee before Kiddush or Havdala
In the morning after one davens one is not allowed to eat before making kiddush.64
However, drinking water before davening is permitted, since the time for kiddush has not
yet arrived.65 Drinking coffee and tea is likewise permitted before davening (see page two
above).66 One is allowed to drink water before hearing havdala,67 but drinking coffee is not
permitted for a healthy person.68

Instant Coffee on Shabbos
On Shabbos, instant coffee should be prepared in the following manner: Water should
be poured from a kli rishon into a dry cup (kli sheini). One may then add instant tea, coffee,
or sugar etc.69 Some say that one should be more stringent and transfer the water into athird cup before adding ingredients.70 In regard to coloring on Shabbos, some poskim say one
should first put in the coffee or tea and then add the water.71

PesachIn order to make decaffeinated coffee many companies use ethyl acetate which may bederived from chometz. Therefore one must purchase decaffeinated coffee for Pesach witha hechsher.72 All year, including Pesach73 one is permitted to buy regular coffee without a

64. Shulchan Aruch 289:1. This applies to women as well (Mishnah Berurah 299:6). However, other halachos
apply to them if they do not daven every day (This will be discussed at a later time). Refer to Halichos Beisa
15:footnote 64 in depth.
65. Tur 89, 289, Shulchan Aruch 89:3, Shulchan Aruch 289:1, Ben Ish Chai Bereishis 2:18, Mishnah Berurah
7. Those who have to eat before davening must make kiddush before doing so (Biur Halacha 289 chovas, Igros
Moshe O.C. 2:28 (end), Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 52:12, Minchas Yitzchok 4:28, Betzel Ha’chuchma
4:147). However, in Igros Moshe O.C. 2:26 he says if the person is not eating pas haba b’kisnin then no kiddush
is required. One who is sick does not need to recite kiddush before eating on Shabbos morning (Refer to
Yabea Omer 8:31, Halichos Olom 3:page 24, Ohr L’tzyion 2:20:14).

‫כל השונה‬‫כל‬‫הלכות‬‫בכל יום‬‫מובטח‬‫לו שהוא‬‫בן עולם‬...‫הבא‬).‫עג‬).‫(נדה עג‬‫(נדה‬

66. Kaf Ha’chaim 289:16, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 52:9, Likras Shabbos 2:27:9.
67. Shulchan Aruch 299:1.
68. Ohr L’tzyion 2:22:7.
69. Refer to Mishnah Berurah 318:39, Igros Moshe O.C. 4:74:16, opinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbachzt”l quoted in Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 1:footnote 135, Yechaveh Da’as 2:44, Ohr Yisroel 14:pages
89-90, see Minchas Yitzchok 1:55, Ohr L’tzyion 2:30:4:footnote 4.
70. The custom of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l quoted in Igros Moshe ibid. The custom and opinion of Harav
Yisroel Belsky Shlita, Teshuvos V’hanhugos 1:207:7, 219, Be’er Moshe 2:21, Minchas Yitzchok 1:55, 9:27,
Shevet Ha’Levi 8:63, custom of Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Meor Ha’Shabbos 1:5:footnote 25.
71. Shar Ha’tzyion 318:65, see ibid:64, Igros Moshe O.C. 4:74:18 (bishul), Bris Olom (tzovaya) page 80, Klalim
pages 336-337, Shevet Ha’Levi 9:71, Betzel Hachuchma 2:49. See Sharei Teshuva 318:4.
72. Refer to www.cosic.org, Kashrus Kurrents from the Star-K.
73. Sharei Teshuva 453:1, Pachad Yitzchok (Coffee) 7:page 61.

8 | HAlAchicAllY SpeAKiNg

hechsher.74 Some have the custom not to use coffee on Pesach.75

Eating and Drinking After the Afikomen
One is not allowed to eat or drink after the afikomen (except the third and fourth cupof the daled kosos) in order that the taste of the matzah should linger in the mouth.76 Waterand the like are permitted.77 Many poskim permit the drinking tea without sugar, and somepermit coffee as well.78

74. HaravYisroel Belsky Shlita. See Shevus Yaakov 2:5, Sdei Chemed 8:page 239, Laws of Pesach a Digest
2006:pages 356-358.
75. Halachos Shel Pesach 1:page 103:28.
76. Shulchan Aruch 478:1, Taz 1, Levush 1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 1, Chai Adom ibid, Aruch Ha’shulchan 1,
Mishnah Berurah 1-2, see Shulchan Aruch 481:1, Kaf Ha’chaim 2, Natei Gavriel 2:98:1, Piskei Teshuvos
page 257, Rivevos Ephraim 3:320, Asei Lecha Rav 3:18:2. There is an uncertainty in the poskim whether one
may chew gum after the afikomen (Chashukei Chemed Pesachim pages 649-650).
77. Pri Megadim Eishel Avraham 1, Chok Yaakov 1, Elya Rabbah 1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 478:1. Mishnah
Berurah 481:2, Aruch Ha’shulchan 478:3. Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita says that a lightly flavored seltzer ispermitted, see Aruch Ha’shulchan ibid. Some say soda is permitted (Halachos Shel Pesach 2:page 375:25).
78. Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Mishnah Berurah ibid, Orchos Chaim 481:1, Rivevos Ephraim 1:317,
3:319:1, 3:472, Piskei Teshuvos 481:3, Ohr L’tzyion 3:15:23. Harav Elyashiv Shlita is lenient with tea
and sugar (Halelah Hazeh page 17, in his Haggadah Shel Pesach page 27, Halachos Shel Pesach 2:page
375:footnote 88). Refer to Ben Ish Chai Tzav 1:35 who permits it if it is needed.

HAlAchos of coffee {part 1} | 9‫אין לו‬‫להקב"ה‬‫בעולמו‬'‫אלא ד‬‫אמות‬‫של הלכה‬...‫בלבד‬).‫(ברכות ח‬

SPONSORED:‫לרפואה שלמה‬‫מרת רחל בת פעסיל ע"ה‬SPONSORED:‫לזכר נשמת‬‫מרת יענטא בת ישראל חיים ע"ה‬‫הרב משה בן יששכר בעריש ע"ה‬‫הרב יעקב אריה בן שבתי ע"ה‬

HALACHICALLY SPEAKING Halachically Speaking is a bi-weekly
publication compiled by Rabbi Moishe
Dovid Lebovits, a former chaver kollel ofYeshiva Torah Vodaath and a musmach of
Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita. Rabbi Lebovits
currently works as the Rabbinical
Administrator for the KOF-K Kosher
Supervision.
 Each issue reviews a different area ofcontemporary halacha with an emphasis
on practical applications of the principles
discussed. Significant time is spentensuring the inclusion of all relevant
shittos on each topic, as well as the psakof Horav Yisroel Belsky, shlita on current
issues.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

IN

THE

NEXT

ISSUE:

Bishul Akum on Coffee
Maris AyinBuying Coffee in a Vending MachineStarbucks: what to look out for.

 Halachically Speaking is distributed
to over 40 shuls in Brooklyn reachingover 1000 readers on a weekly basis. It
is sent via email to subscribers acrossthe country, can be seen in the Friday
edition of the Hamodia, and read daily
by tens of thousands of people on
www.theyeshivaworld.com. To receive
Halachically Speaking via email send an
email to mdl@thehalacha.com.

SPONSOREDBY:

SUBSCRIBE
by visiting

www.thehalacha.com
and filling out the subscription form

KOF-K Kosher Supervision© Copyright 2008
by Halachically Speaking

Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits

Volume 1 Issue 3

Dairy CroissantsRead the Certificate!!!

Croissants present a unique situation. In the
secular world, it is common practice to eat
croissants with meat. Croissants are generally
made with butter. The shape may not be
considered a valid heker since there exists
croissants which are pareve and have theidentical shape as the dairy ones. Nonetheless,since the majority of croissants are made withdairy, technically they have not been considereddairy breads; however, it would be appropriate
to purchase croissants exclusively in amounts
that will be consumed within a one-day periodof time.

If one enters a store and sees acertificate from a kashrus authority on
the wall, does this suffice? Does itmean that everything in the store is
kosher? Is there ever a reason to beconcerned that the certificate isforged?

Please note: if one lives in a town in which
croissants are predominately produced pareve,
then the dairy product should not be certified askosher. Additionally, the popularity of parevecroissants may warrant a re-evaluation in the
future.

When walking into a store which is
certified kosher one may rely on thecertification. However, one must readthe certificate to see if the entire store isunder certification, or only packaged
items, or only loose items. One must
read the certificate before buying.

For articles, audio shiurim downloads, and videos please visit our website at www.kof-k.org.
Topics include bishul akum, checking for bugs, tevilas keilim and many other topics.
Articles and shiurim are available by our vaad halacha (Harav Aron Felder Shlita, Harav Shlomo
Gissinger Shlita, and Harav Doniel Neustadt Shlita), and our Rabbinical Staff including Rabbi Ari
Senter Shlita and more.
Please note: the material presented here is for consumer awareness; one should not forgo the time honored custom of asking one’s own Rav forpersonal pesak. To receive this FREE via email please e-mail mlebovits@kof-k.org.





















