The Tosefta on Blessings after a Meal
4:7. This is the general rule: Any [breadstuff] before [the eating of] which one recites the benediction, “Who brings forth bread from the earth”—he must recite three benedictions after [eating it] [i.e., the full series of benedictions after meals]. [ . . . ]
15. This is the general rule: [Regarding] any food that is [made from one] of the seven kinds [of produce] or a kind of breadstuff—Rabban Gamaliel says, “One recites three benedictions [that is, the full series of benedictions after meals] after [eating] it, and sages say, “[He recites] one benediction [that is, an abbreviated form of the series].” [ . . . ]
5:17. Women and slaves and children are exempt [from the obligation] [cf. m. Berakhot 3:3, 7:2] and cannot exempt others from their obligation [to recite the benedictions after meals]. Indeed they said, “A woman may recite the benediction on behalf of her husband, a son may recite the benediction on behalf of his father, a slave may recite the benediction on behalf of his master.” [ . . . ]
21. A gentile who recites a benediction using the name [of God]—one may respond [to his benediction by saying] “Amen.”
[A gentile who praises] the name [of God]—[ed. princ.: A Samaritan who recites a benediction using the name of God—]one may not respond “Amen” to his benediction, unless he has heard the entire benediction.
Notes
Words in brackets appear in the original translation.
Credits
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.