The Meaning of "Pas Haba’ah B’kisnin"

I have heard that there is a major dispute about the meaning of “Pas Haba’ah B’kisnin.” What does this term refer to?

The Gemara in Berachos (42a) establishes that the bracha for “pas haba’ah b’kisnin” is borei minei mezonos. The Rishonim (early decisors) offer different explanations for this term. The Shulchan Aruch (168:7) cites three opinions: Rabbeinu Chananel says it refers to dough baked with a filling, such as a pie. Rambam maintains that it refers to dough made with a noticeable amount of honey, oil, milk or spices, such as cake. Rav Hai Gaon is of the opinion that it is an item with a cracker-like texture. The Shulchan Aruch rules that we follow all three opinions, and as such, we recite borei minei mezonos on pies, cake and crackers. In the Halacha Yomis for the next few days, we will discuss different applications of this halacha.

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.