Laws related to Berachot What Beracha is recited on papaya? We recite Bore P’ri Ha’Etz on fruit and Bore P’ri Ha’Adama on vegetables. Is papaya treated as a fruit or a vegetable? A related issue is whether or not the first three years of a papaya plant’s fruit is treated as ‘Orla and may not be consumed? ‘Orla applies only to fruit and not to vegetables. … [Read more...]

What Beracha does one recite on granulated cane sugar? The Shulhan Aruch (O.H. 202:15) follows the opinion of the Rambam that the Beracha for sugar is Shehakol. The Mishna Berura writes that since there are varying opinions in the Rishonim as to the Beracha for cane sugar, B’Di’avad (after the fact), if one recited Ha’Etz (opinion of the Tur) or Ha’Adama (opinion of the … [Read more...]

What Beracha is recited on peanut butter (a spoonful of peanut butter eaten plain)? There are two opinions regarding the Beracha on peanut butter. Here, we will discuss the opinion that the Beracha on peanut butter is Shehakol. The Shulhan Aruch (OH 208:8) writes that one recites Ha’adama on cooked beans. The Rama adds that if the beans completely disintegrate, one … [Read more...]

What is the reason we recite Birkot HaTorah? There is a disagreement among the Rishonim as to whether Birkot HaTorah is a Torah obligation or a Rabbinic obligation. Sefer Pene Moshe 1:1 (Benvenisti) writes that the Ramban, Rashba and Sefer HaHinuch maintain that there is a Biblical obligation to recite Birkot HaTorah daily. This is derived from the verse (Devarim 32:3) “When … [Read more...]

I was up all night. Do I recite Birkot HaTorah in the morning? This is a common question on Shavu’ot. The Mishnah Berurah (47:28) writes that there is a difference of opinion among Poskim as to whether one who was awake all night recites Birkot HaTorah in the morning. The Gr”a (47:12) and P’ri Hadash (47:12) write that one does not recite a Beracha; however, the Magen … [Read more...]