Blessing Pizza and European Jewry On observing halacha and observing reality

[What is] Pat Haba'ah Bekisanin?: There are those who say that this is bread made into pockets that they fill with honey, sugar, nuts or spices.

And there are those who say that this is dough into which honey or oil or milk or spices were mixed and he baked it. And this is so only if the flavor of the fruit or spices is detectable. [There are those who say that this is bread unless there is a lot of spices or honey.]

And there are those who say that this is bread whether seasoned or not that they make into hard crackers and they chew them, and this is what they call biscuits.

And the halakhah follows all of these opinions.

(4) [If] they brought in front of him [different] types of desserts, the Beracha (blessing) that he makes on them is Borei Minei Kisnin (Who created different types of nibblings).

(5) On seeds one says Borei Minei Zerayim, and on herbs one says Borei Minei Deshaim, and on vegetables one says Borei Pri Haadama. Rabbi Yehudah says [on vegetables] Baruch Matzmiach Haadama Bidvaro.

Rabbi Meir says, even if one saw bread and said ‘Blessed be the One Who created this bread, how nice this bread is,’ that is its Beracha. Even if she saw figs and said ‘Blessed be the One Who created these figs, how nice they are,’ that is their Beracha.”

Rabbi Yossi says, anyone who changes the text that the Rabbis coined, does not fulfill his obligation [of saying the Beracha].

The Sages taught: One is forbidden to enjoy anything this world without reciting a blessing. And anyone who enjoys this world without a blessing, it is as if one is guilty of theft.

What should one do? Go to a Sage!

Go to a Sage? what will he do to him, after he has already violated a prohibition?

Rather, Rava said: One should go to a Sage initially, who will teach the blessings, so that one will not come to steal.

It happened that R. Shimon ben Gamliel was on the steps of the Temple and saw a beautiful female idol-worshipper. He said "How great are your creations, O God!". Rabbi Akiva also saw the wife of Tyranus Rufus the wicked - and spat, laughed, and wept. [...] he wept, because such beauty was to go to the grave. [...]

Why did they act like this? Because they were thankful, and it has been taught that on encountering any beautiful creature one says "Blessed is He, who has created such things in His world!"

And may one look [at such women]? It has been taught the opposite [...] rather, they met at the [street] corner.