Location Change Regarding Brochos, part 2 vol.1 no.12

As we discussed in our previous issue, a change of location (shinuy makom ) is cause for a bracha to cease to function, thereby necessitating the recital of a new bracha. It is now incumbent upon us to determine the definition of "location" and "change of location" with regards to this halacha:

1. If one exits from the building wherein he was eating and can no longer see his place of eating, he has experienced a halachically recognized "change of location" and would subsequently need to recite a new bracha. This applies even if his departure was very brief and even if it had been anticipated once he started eating. Obviously, when possible, such an exit should be avoided. (As we noted in last week's issue, factors such as a need to return to the place of eating to recite a Bracha Acharona - blessing after food - or participation of others can prevent an exit from being treated as detachment.)
2. According to many Poskim even an exit from the room wherein one was eating constitutes a halachic change of location. Others disagree, maintaining that within one building, no relocation is deemed a "change of location" - the building itself is the location and no "change" has taken place. As this is a matter of dispute, the Mishna Brura rules that if one did exit, no new bracha should be recited. This ruling applies not only to one who has walked within his home, but also to one who has gone from apartment to apartment within one building. It should be noted however, that due to this dispute it is best to avoid all such relocation. However, if the move was anticipated while reciting the bracha, or, if the original place of eating is still in sight, there is no need to refrain from such movement.

Relocation within one room, even a large banquet hall is not treated as a halachic change of location. The location in this case is the room itself and internal movement is not a "change" of that location. Similarly, moving within an enclosed yard, even from one end to the other, is not regarded as a relocation. Accordingly, in these cases no new bracha should be recited.

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