Section: Halacha Category: Food Piskei Tshuvos: A Bracha On The Go | The Shulchan Oruch (O.C. 183:11) says that if someone is on the move, Mehalech, and has to eat, he doesn’t have to stop before saying the corresponding Brochos, for, since he is in a hurry he won’t be able to concentrate on what he is saying for fear of being late. He is, therefore, allowed to say his Brochos on to go, including Birkas HaMozon. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 63:3) also says that someone who is driving a carriage or riding a horse has the din of a Mehalech.
The question is, what about someone who’s driving a car? What about the passengers? The Piskei Tshuvos (183:20:83) says that, halachicly the driver is allowed to say all his Brochos, including Birkas HaMozon, while driving the car. If, however, he started to eat when the car was stationary, then there’s no din Mehalech and he would have to stop the car for saying Brochoh Acharonoh or Birkas HaMozon.
Nevertheless, says the Piskei Teshuvos, if the eating session started while the car was moving, since both driving and benching require concentration, it would be a hidur to stop the car, if it’s at all possible, even though he is not halachicly required to do so. However if only the passengers will bench, there’s absolutely no requirement of stopping the car.
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. One should learn the tshuva to verify the accuracy of our interpretation. Please also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
This article has not been reviewed by the posek of the AskRevach section, Rav Peretz Moncharsh. Any questions regarding this topic and Halacha L’Maaseh may be asked to him at www.revach.net/ask
| RELATED ARTICLES:birchas hamazon bracha car halacha traveler  | printable version |  | Visitor Comments: 1
Anonymous, 2009-02-22 05:59:15 Never ever eat, bless or daven while driving, it is sakanot nefashot. Better let the time to daven pass than risk killing someone on the road. And anyone needing to drive on Purim must NOT DRINK alcohol, again no 'ad lo yada' where sakanot nefashot is involved.
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