Chapter 52: 1-3
Laws of Ho'eitz,Hadomoh and Shehakol
1. For fruit which grows on trees, the blessing borey pri ho'eitz is
recited. For produce that grows on the ground - e.g., turnips, vegetables,
beans, corn, and herbs - the blessing borey pri ho'adomoh is recited.
In this context, a tree is defined as one whose branches remain in the
winter and which produces leaves [the following spring]. Even a tree with
leaves as thin as stalks of flax is included in this category. If,
however, the branches fall off entirely during the winter and only its
trunk remains, it is not considered a tree in this context, and we recite
the blessing borey pri ho'adomoh for its fruit.
2. For food which does not grow from the ground - e.g., meat, fish, milk,
cheese - and, similarly, for all beverages with the exception of wine and
olive oil, the blessing shehakol nih'yoh bidivoro is recited. The yud in
the word nih'yoh should be pronounced with a komatz ("uh").*
* {The Mogen Avrohom 204:14 and the Chayei Odom mention opinions that
suggest pronouncing the yud with a segol ("eh").}
3. Through truffles and mushrooms derive nurture from the moisture of the
earth, they do not derive this nurture directly from the earth, but rather
from the air. Therefore, they are not categorized as produce of the
ground, and the blessing shehakol is recited for them.
