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Laws Related to Berachot
I walk past a coffee shop every day. From outside the store, I can smell the coffee. Should I recite a Beracha on this aroma?
The Mishnah Berurah (216:16) writes that if one smells hot ground coffee, since it emits a strong aroma, one should recite the Beracha of “Ha’Noten Re’ah Tov Ba’Perot.” However, it is questionable whether one can recite a Beracha on a cup of coffee, since there are no coffee grinds in a cup of coffee. The drink is only the residual flavor and aroma that were captured in the hot water (see Shulhan Aruch 216:6). The aroma wafting from a coffee shop is more likely from the brewed coffee and not from coffee grinds. Furthermore, Hacham Ovadia Hedaya in Teshuvot Yaskil Avdi (vol. 8, Hashmatot 14) writes that one who passes a coffee shop is exempt from reciting a Beracha since they were just walking by and it was not their intent to enjoy the smell. Because coffee in principle is a drink and not an aroma, unless one has specific intent to smell the coffee beans, it is exempt from a Beracha. He writes that this is true even though the proprietor uses the coffee’s aroma as a method to attract customers.
What Beracha does one recite on flax seeds?
At first glance, one would say that the Beracha should be Ha’Adama, since flax grows from the ground, like a grain. However, the Nishmat Adam (51:7) points out that we find an apparent contradiction in Tanach about the status of flax. In Yehoshua (2:6) flax is described as a tree. Referring to Rahav hiding the spies, the Pasuk says, “VaTitmeneim B’Pishte Ha’Etz” (and she hid them among trees of flax). On the other hand, we read in Bereshit (4:3): “And Kayin brought [an offering] from the fruits of the ground [P’ri Ha’Adama].” Hachamim have a tradition that the offering that Kayin brought was flax (Pishtan). This would indicate that flax is a plant that grows from the ground and not a tree. The Nishmat Adam explains that in Bereshit the flax was still growing. At that stage, flax is pliable and is not considered a tree. In contrast, in Yehoshua, the flax was harvested. After it is cut, flax dries out and hardens. Only then is it considered a tree. Since the flax is not considered a tree at the time the flax seeds grow, the Beracha on flax seeds is Ha’Adama, whether eaten raw, roasted or cooked.
If flax seeds are sprinkled on another food, they would be considered Tafel (subordinate). One does not make a separate Beracha on a food that is Tafel, as it is covered by the Beracha that is said on the primary food.
What Beracha is recited on tahini?
Tahini is a spread made of ground sesame seeds and oil. If one were to eat whole sesame seeds, the Beracha would undoubtedly be Ha’Adama. However, once the sesame is finely ground into a liquid paste without any semblance of the seed, the Magen Avraham (205:9) writes that the Beracha changes to Shehakol. The Even ‘Ozer (OH 210:7) disagrees. He argues that since tahini is one of the primary manners in which sesame seeds are eaten, the Beracha remains Ha’Adama. Igrot Moshe (OH 1:65) writes that there is no clear ruling and it is best to avoid eating tahini as a stand-alone food. If one does eat tahini, Igrot Moshe writes that because of the doubt, one should recite Shehakol. While some Sephardic Poskim, such as Rav Moshe Levy ztz”l write that tahini is Ha’Adama, the consensus of the Poskim is that today that it is usually very liquid, its Beracha is Shehakol.
This all assumes that the tahini is eaten alone or is the main food that one is eating. However, if one spreads tahini on bread, crackers or vegetables, then all would agree that no additional Beracha is recited on the tahini because of the principal of ‘Ikar and Tafel (the Beracha on the main food covers the subordinate).
What Beracha do you recite on hearts of palm?
Rav Belsky, zt”l ruled that the Beracha for hearts of palm is Bore P’ri Ha’Adama. The Gemara (Berachot 36a) cites a disagreement between Rav Yehuda and Shemuel as to which Beracha should be recited on Kora (hearts of palm). According to Rav Yehuda the Beracha is Ha’Adama and according to Shemuel, it is Shehakol. The Gemara concludes that since one does not plant a palm tree having in mind to harvest the hearts of palm, the Halacha follows the opinion of Shmuel that the Beracha is Shehakol. Rav Belsky explained that today, since palm trees are planted with the intent of eating the hearts, the appropriate Beracha is Ha’Adama. Although hearts of palm grow on a tree, the Beracha is not Ha’Etz, but rather Ha’Adama. This is because hearts of palm are not an actual fruit, but the core of the stem of the tree. Since they are part of the actual tree and not fruit, the Beracha is downgraded from Ha’Etz to Ha’Adama. This is also the P’sak of Rav David Yosef in Halacha Berura.