." But the Sages
say "he may bless whichever of them he pleases."

5. "If one blessed the wine before food?" "The blessing frees the wine
after food." "If he blessed the titbit before food?" "It frees the titbit
after food." "If he blessed the bread?" "It frees the titbit." But the
blessing on the titbit does not free the bread. The school of Shammai say,
"neither does it free the cookery."

6. "If several persons sit down to eat?" "Each blesses for himself." "But
if they recline together?" "One blesses for all." "If wine come to them
during food?" "Each blesses for himself." "But if after food?" "One
blesses for all." He also blesses for the incense, even though they have
not brought it till after the repast.

7. "If they first set salt food before a man and bread with it?" "He
blesses the salt food, which frees the bread, as the bread is only an
appendage." The rule is, whenever there is principal and with it
appendage,--the blessing on the principal frees the appendage.

8. "If one have eaten figs, grapes, and pomegranates?" "He must say after
them three blessings." The words of Rabban Gamaliel. But the Sages say,
"one blessing--a summary of the three." R. Akivah says, "if one have eaten
boiled (pulse); and it is his meal, he must say after it three blessings."
Whoever drinks water for his thirst, says, "By whose word everything is,"
etc. R. Tarphon says, "Who createst many souls," etc.

Chapter VII

1. Three men who have eaten together are bound to bless after food. "If a
person have eaten of that which is doubtful, whether it has paid tithe or
not; or of first tithe from which the heave offering has been taken; or of
second tithe or consecrated things, which have been redeemed; also, if the
waiter have eaten the size of an olive; or a Samaritan be of the party?"
"The blessing must be said." "But if one have eaten the untithed--or first
tithes from which the heave offering has not been taken--or consecrated
things which are unredeemed; or if the waiter have eaten less than the
size of an olive, or a stranger be of the party?" "The blessing is not to
be said."

2. There is no blessing at food for women, slaves, and children. What
quantity is required for the blessing at food? The size of an olive. R.
Judah says "the size of an egg."

3. "How do we bless at food?" "If there be three, one says, 'Let us
bless,' etc.; if three and himself, he says, 'Bless ye,' etc.: if ten, he
says, 'Let us bless our God,'