If a person recites a Beracha over a food or beverage and does not intend to eat or drink the given item in one specific location, must he repeat the Beracha when he moves to a different location? People very often stop off in a shop on their way to work to purchase a soda or coffee to drink along the way. They recite a Beracha and begin drinking outside the store, and then keep the drink with them as they commute. Would a person in this case be required to repeat the Beracha when he boards a bus or train, or when he enters his building?
The Chesed Le'alafim (work of Halacha by Rabbi Eliezer Papo, Bulgaria, 1785-1828) in siman 178:2, addresses this question and rules that since the individual had no intention to eat or drink the item in a specific location, and planned from the outset to bring it with him as he travels, he need not repeat the Beracha after changing locations. Regardless of his location, he partakes of the food or drink on the basis of the initial Beracha, and thus no new Beracha is required. This is the position of several other authorities, as well, including the Kaf Ha'chayim Sofer in O"H 178, s"k 33 and the Mishna Berura ibid s"k 42 (commentary to the Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, the "Chafetz Chayim," Lithuania, 1835-1933).
Thus, if one purchases a soda or coffee to take with him and drink as he travels, he need not repeat the Beracha when he changes locations.
Also see Birkat Hashem, Helek 3, page 464.
