Given that it's preferable to have an empty mouth when saying a bracha must I remove chewing gum from my mouth before saying a bracha - for example, for a glass of water, or anything else for that matter - and if so does it make a difference if taking it out would mean I wouldn't want to continue chewing it after (which would result in wasting food)?
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I wonder: Is gum even considered food? It isn't supposed to be swallowed...– NoamAug 15, 2016 at 23:00
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Many people do swallow it though. I often do if I'm not near a rubbish bin.– JakubAug 15, 2016 at 23:11
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1I suppose this question is a duplicate of the second question in your link. I note that a response on that question noted that the two questions are distinct and should be separated and I guess I've unintentionally done that!– JakubAug 15, 2016 at 23:16
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True, but I still wonder if it is considered food. It is just a piece of rubber, maybe with some sugar mixed in. Swallowing rubber doesn't make rubber food.– NoamAug 15, 2016 at 23:16
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1Whether or not it's food, there's still an issue with having it in the mouth when saying a bracha?– JakubAug 16, 2016 at 0:25
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2 Answers
Orach Chaim 172:2 - you should remove the candy from your mouth and make a Bracha. If it is chewed and unappetizing to remove, you may push it to the side of your mouth and make a Bracha.
answered Aug 16, 2016 at 19:29
Your mouth should be empty when saying a bracha: We learn this from the passuk: (Tehillim 71:8) Let my mouth be filled with Your praise ימלא פי תהילתך The emphasis is on our mouths not having something else inside, so that they are only filled with G-d's praise and nothing else - it would seem to me irrelevant whether it was food or something else.
(I can't find the source for this, but if I remember correctly, it is in connection with someone who forgot to make a bracha and that he needs to take the food out of his mouth before making the bracha.)
