Forgotten Berachos - Before Swallowing (Continued)

QUESTION: I took a small sip of juice in my mouth and then realized I forgot to recite a beracha. Can I push the drink to one side of my cheek and recite a beracha with the drink still in my mouth?

ANSWER: The Magen Avrohom (172:1) writes that since a drink in one’s mouth is no longer suitable for others to drink, it is permissible to swallow it without a beracha. Therefore, he writes that even if you can push the drink to one side and recite a beracha, you are not obligated to do so. However, the Mishnah Berurah (172:1) cites the Levushei Srad who writes that if a beracha can be recited by moving the drink to one side of the cheek, it is preferable to do so, even if somewhat difficult.  

Some poskim write that even if there is a large amount of drink in one’s mouth and it is not possible to recite a beracha, there is still a possibility to recite a beracha with “hirhur” (by thinking the beracha). The Pri Megadim (172:2) initially offers this suggestion, but since he did not find other poskim who recommend this, he concludes that it is not necessary. However, other poskim including the Derech Hachaim and Kaf Hachaim (172:1) offer this recommendation as a way of mitigating the violation of not having said a beracha. However, if one plans to continue drinking, this solution should be avoided. This is because, whether or not hirhur is effective is a matter of dispute, (see Beiur Halacha 62: s.v. Yatza) and it is preferable to articulate the beracha rather than rely on hirhur.

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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.