Borei Pri Ha'adamah
Borei Pri HaAdamah (lit. "Creator of the fruits of the ground") is one of the blessings over food (Birchot haNehenin) in Jewish law. It is recited over produce that grows from the earth, including vegetables and non-tree fruits.[1]
Although fruits that grow on trees normally require the blessing Borei Pri HaEtz, if one mistakenly recites HaAdamah over them, they have fulfilled their obligation post facto (bedi'avad).[1]
Source in the Mishnah
[edit]How does one bless over fruits?
For fruits of the tree, one says: "Borei Pri HaEtz", except for wine, over which one says: "Borei Pri HaGafen". For fruits of the ground, one says: "Borei Pri HaAdamah". Except for bread, over which one says: "Hamotzi Lechem Min Haaretz". And over vegetables, one says: "Borei Pri HaAdamah".
Rabbi Yehudah says: "[Blessed is He who creates] species of grasses (desha'im)".
— Mishnah Berakhot 6:1
Although fruits of the tree also originate in the ground, the Mishnah instructs that a distinct blessing ("HaEtz") should be used for them when possible. Borei Pri HaAdamah is reserved for produce not growing on trees, though it may be used as a backup blessing in some cases.
Classification: Tree or Ground?
[edit]Early authorities (Rishonim) debated what defines a tree versus a plant of the ground. One opinion bases the distinction on the plant’s lifespan—perennials (multi-year) are considered trees, while annuals are not. For example, bananas receive the blessing HaAdamah despite growing on tall plants.
Another approach considers whether the fruit grows from branches of a tree (or its main trunk if it’s a "significant" one). Fruits emerging from roots or soft stems are categorized as "ground fruits".
Processing and Usage
[edit]According to one opinion (Rabbi Yehudah), wheat or barley flour still warrants Borei Pri HaAdamah. Rabbi Nachman, however, argues that flour is no longer the natural form of the grain, and since it is not typically consumed raw, the blessing is Shehakol—as with any processed food lacking distinct natural form.[2]
Similarly, they debate over edible palm shoots ("kora"), harvested before the branches harden. Rabbi Yehudah sees them as produce warranting HaAdamah, while Shmuel disagrees since the tree was not planted with edible shoots in mind. Shmuel concedes that if a plant was intended for consumption in that form (e.g., the caper bush), then HaAdamah is justified.[2]
Alternate Version: Borei Minei Desha'im
[edit]Rabbi Yehudah maintained that vegetables deserve a more specific blessing: "Borei Minei Desha'im" (Who creates species of herbs). The Talmud explains:
Rabbi Zeira—or some say Rabbi Chanina bar Papa—said: What is Rabbi Yehudah’s reasoning? The verse states, "Blessed be the Lord day by day" (Psalms 68:20). Should we bless only by day and not by night? Rather, each day receives its own appropriate blessings. So too, each type of food should receive a blessing tailored to it.
— Berakhot 40a
Nonetheless, the halakha (Jewish law) follows the majority opinion, and the blessing used for vegetables remains Borei Pri HaAdamah.
Text and translation
[edit]Hebrew
[edit]בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה
Transliteration
[edit]Barukh attah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei pri ha-adamah.
English
[edit]"Blessed are You, L‑ORD our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the ground."[3]
Some Ashkenazi Jews pronounce it ha-adamóh, while Sephardic pronunciation tends to be ha-adamáh; both are halakhically valid.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Borei Pri Ha'Eitz and Borei Pri HaAdama - Halacha L'Maaseh - OU Torah". OU Torah. Archived from the original on 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ a b האתר, מנהל (2000-10-08). "הלכה א - פירות העץ והאדמה | פרק ח - ברכת הפירות ושהכל | פניני הלכה - הרב אליעזר מלמד שליט"א". פניני הלכה (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ Chabad.org – Blessings on Food
External links
[edit]
- Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, "Borei Pri HaAdamah" in Peninei Halakha (Hebrew)