The K’dei Ichul Timespan for Drinks

Q. In the previous Halacha Yomis, we discussed that after eating bread, one must bench before the bread is digested. This time frame is known as "k’dei ichul” (the time it takes for digestion to occur.) Most poskim hold that k’dei ichul is at least 72 minutes. It is self-evident that liquids are digested more quickly than solid food. How long is the time span of “k’dei ichul” for drinks?

A. The halacha is that if one drinks a cup of water or juice, a beracha acharona must be said within the time frame of “k’dei ichul”. How much time does one have? The Tzitz Eliezer (13:15) writes that there is not a clear definition how long k’dei ichul is for drinks, though some poskim write that it is at least 30 minutes, while others estimate it is slightly less than an hour. Nonetheless, the Tzitz Eliezer indicates that if a person drank a lot and his thirst is still quenched, all would agree that a beracha acharona should be recited, even if a significant amount of time has elapsed.

____________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.