Continuing our discussion of Zimun, the gemara in Berachos (48a) discusses how many people at a meal actually need to eat bread in order to have a zimun. The gemara says that when it comes to a zimun of 10 ( to say Elokeynu in the zimun) you need at least 7 people to eat bread, and the remaining three can eat salad. This is due to the concept of Ruba D'Nikar ( a substantial majority). The gemara, unfortunatly, never discusses the same question in regards to a zimun of 3. What if 2 people had bread and the third ate a salad, can you have a zimun?
This question a big debate between Tosfos and the Ran. Tosfos rules that just as 7 out of 10 is a substantial majority (70%), so to is 2 out of 3 (67%), and therefor as long as two out of the three had bread a zimun should be said. The Ran, however, argues and says that while mathematically there should be no difference, the Gemara in other places seems to be more strigent in the case of a zimun of three. Thus, one can not assume that just because Ruba D'Minkar works by a zimun of 10, so too it should apply by a zimun of three. The Tur and the Shulchan Aruch actually bring down both opinions. The Mishna Brurah offers a solution, and says ideally we should try to make the third person eat bread, however, if he refuses to than we can rely on Tosfos and say a zimun.
What must the third person eat (or people 7-10)? The Yershulami says the person must eat a mezonos-type product to count. The Bavli, however,a says that the person not eating bread can eat vegetables instead and still count towards to the zimun. Most Rishonim assume that if veggies are allowed, so too is any drink that is not water-based (wine, juice, etc.). However, water-based drinks (soda, ice tea, etc.), while being essential to health, don't fill you up and thus one who drinks only water can't be included in a zimun. The Magen Avraham, argues on this and says since when is the requirement for zimun that the item must fill you up, rather any food or drink that you derive benefit from (water included) can be used to count you towards a zimun. Again the Mishna Brurach says that ideally we should try to make the third person eat bread, however, if he refuses to
than as long as he drank something non-water based (against the Magen Avraham) we can count him towards the zimun.
Finally, may the one who is not eating bread lead the zimun? Since there is a K'lal of Yatza Motzei (I can make a beracha for you, even if i don't need it myself, like the megillah reader who rereads for the latecomers) that applies to all Mitzvos (unfortunatly, it doesn't apply to berachos on eating) one would think that since Benching is a mitzva anyone can lead the zimun. Remember, orginally the one who led the zimun said the whole Benching out loud and everyone else listened and was yotzei (like kiddush on friday night). However, the Rabbanun made a decree, that unless one ate a Kezayis he could not lead the Benching. Since in the zimun it says Sh'achalnu (that we ate), it would be decieving to have someone who didn't eat any bread say the Benching for those that had bread. If one did in fact eat a kizayis of bread but wasn't full, the Shulchan Aruch still rules he shouldn't lead the Benching if someone else at the meal at bread and is full. This is due to the pasuk from where Benching is learnt out "Vachlta V'Savata U'veRachta" meaning you should eat, be satisfied and bless. Thus, the Mitza Deoraysa of Benching is only if one is full, and better to have the leader of the Benching be someone who is involved in a Mitzva Deoraysa than D'rabanan.
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