What would the rule be if a person ate bread and made Birkat Me’en Shalosh by mistake instead of Birkat HaMazon? Would the Birkat Me’en Shalosh Beracha of Al HaMichya that one said cover the requirement of Birkat HaMazon? Does one fulfill his obligation of Birkat HaMazon in this case, or must one go back and repeat the Birkat HaMazon? This is not such a simple question because Me’en Shalosh has in it the various adages that must be mentioned in Birkat HaMazon. Basically, the difference is that Me’en Shalosh has it all in one Beracha, and Birkat HaMazon has in it three Berachot.
There was great Machloket on this topic. Chacham Ovadia Yoseph in his sefer ‘Meor Yisrael’ brings an interesting proof from the Gemara in Masechet Berachot on page 37 that saying Me’en Shalosh does not fulfill one’s obligation on Birkat HaMazon. The Gemara there tells a story where Rabban Gamliel had a feast and served dates. According to Rabban Gamliel, dates require a Birkat HaMazon. At the conclusion of the meal, Rabban Gamliel invited one of his guests, Rebbi Akiva, to make the Birkat HaMazon. Rebbi Akiva though, did not follow Rabban Galiel’s opinion and he made the Beracha of Al HaEtz. So Rabban Gamliel got upset and he asked Rebbi Akiva as to why he was getting himself involved in the Machloket. Rebbi Akiva explained that he was playing it safe and avoiding conflict. Rebbi Akiva said the Me’en Shalosh because by saying this Beracha he would be meeting both sides. He would be fulfilling the requirement if the right answer is to say Me’en Shalosh. And he would be fulfilling the Birkat HaMazon if that was correct for the Me’en Shalosh covers one’s obligation of Birkat HaMazon. But Rabban Gamliel said, ‘Why are you getting involved in the Machloket?’ Meaning, why did you say Me’en Shalosh if that can not cover Birkat HaMazon. So from this story in the Gemara you see that saying Me’en Shalosh does NOT cover Birkat HaMazon. This is one side that Chacham Ovadia Yoseph brings.
However, that is not the Halacha. We hold that Me’en Shalosh, Bediavad, does fulfill one’s obligation if said by mistake instead of Birkat HaMazon. This is as per Maran in Bet Yoseph siman 168, and from Rav Chida (Rav Chaim Yoseif David Azulai 1724-1806), and from the Ritba (Rav Yom Tov, born in Seville 1250), and from the Ra’ah (Rav Aharon Halevi, born 1235). Lechatchila, one should make Birkat HaMazon, but Bediavad, it counts if one makes a mistake and says Birkat Me’en Shalosh.
