In an earlier edition of Daily Halacha, it was mentioned that if a person was eating food that requires "Boreh Nefashot," such as fruit, and before reciting "Boreh Nefashot" he leaves, he must recite a new Beracha of "Ha’etz" when he resumes eating. The Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles of Cracow, 1525-1572), however, in Siman 178, qualifies this Halacha. He writes that if a person was eating with other people, and they remained behind when he left, then they establish a connection to the original location, such that he does not have to recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating. Maran does not follow this opinion, as in his view it is only regarding bread that Halacha distinguishes between one who was eating alone and one who was eating with other people. However, given the different opinions that exist, we apply the famous rule of "Safek Berachot Le’hakel" – we do not recite a Beracha in situations of Halachic uncertainty. And thus since the Rama does not require the recitation of a Beracha in this case when the person resumes eating, he should not recite a Beracha. This applies regardless of whom the person was eating with, even if they were members of his household, and even if they were women. This is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, as cited in Yalkut Yosef (p. 84).
Thus, if several people were eating fruit together, and one leaves for a few moments and then returns, he does not have to recite a Beracha when he resumes eating.
However, this Halacha is subject to several conditions:
1) The people left behind have to have been eating, and not just sitting around the table. If they were not eating, then the person is considered to have been eating alone, and must therefore recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating.
2) The people must have not yet recited a Beracha Aharona. The Ma’amar Mordechai rules that if they already recited Beracha Aharona, this breaks the person’s connection to the original location, since the group has Halachically been dissolved, and he must recite a new Beracha when he returns.
3) The Shulhan Ha’tahor writes that the one who left must be aware of the fact that he left people behind eating. Otherwise, he does not maintain his connection to the original location.
4) The person must have left with the intention of returning.
If any of these conditions are not met, then the person is considered to have been eating alone, and must therefore recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating.
Summary: If a person was eating a food requiring "Boreh Nefashot" together with other people, and he leaves, he does not recite a new Beracha when he resumes eating, as long as: the other people were eating (and not just sitting there), they had not yet recited Beracha Aharona, the person who left knew they were remaining, and he left with the intention of returning.
