Did I Say Hamotzi?

The Shulchan Aruch [167/9] writes that if a person is on doubt as to whether he said hamotzi, he doesn't make the bracha again. The Mishna Brura [49]  writes that even if he wants to be stringent and make the bracha he is not permitted to do so because it would constitute an unnecessary bracha [ברכה שאינה צריכה]. The Shaar Hatziyun [48] writes that he may be strict on himself and refrain from eating any more to avoid possibly eating without a bracha - and this applies even if he hasn't yet started to eat.

This Shaar Hatziyun should have one scratching his head in wonderment. By not eating he is placing himself in a position where he would be transgressing the very serious prohibition of saying a ברכה שאינה צריכה so he should be OBLIGATED to eat SOMETHING in order to save himself from this terrible fate. How then can the Shaar Hatziyun allow a person to refrain from eating at all. Even if he DIDN'T in fact make a bracha he is still permitted to eat because it is a ספק דרבנן and we go לקולא and assume [despite our recent post about assumptions:-)] that he made the bracha and can eat. But if he doesn't eat, if in fact he made a bracha it will be a ברכה שאינה צריכה. So we cry out - eat sweet friend, eat!!! This Shaar Hatziyun requires understanding...

See בני ראם סימן יב for a resolution. See also פסקי תשובות סימן קסז for more details about what to do in such a situation.

A good piece of advice - make all brachos LOUD so that it rings in your ears and you arouse kavana and avoid all doubt...