Q. What is the proper procedure to follow when teaching a youngster who is not yet completely religious (baal teshuva) to start making brochos before eating; should he abstain from a brocho if the food is likely kosher but does not have a hechsher? Or should he only refrain when the food is undoubtedly treif, such as non-kosher meat or meat and milk?
Does one make a brocho is he has to eat non-kosher meat because of pikuach nefesh?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the food is likely kosher even if it does not have any certification, (it may contain non-kosher ingredients that bedieved, after the fact would be permitted in need), if it cannot be avoided by the not yet completely baal teshuva youngster, he should be taught to make a brocho. However, when the food is certainly not kosher, as meat or meat and cheese, he should not recite a brocho.
Poskim disagree if one recites a brocho is he has to eat non-kosher meat because of pikuach nefesh. Rav Yerucham quoted in Bais Yosef (O.H. 204) maintains he does not. However, Shulchan Aruch (ibid. 9, and 196: 2)) follows the opinion of the Rosh and Rambam and rules to recite a brocho before and after. Mishna Berura (ibid.48 and 5) explains that since he is eating something that because of his extreme delicate condition is not only permitted, but constitutes also a mitzva to eat and save his life, he should recite the corresponding brochos. Mishna Berura adds (204: 48) that if he finds the food disgusting and nauseous, he should not recite any brochos.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a