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Donate- Ground foods:
Fruits [i.e. apple sauce, almond flour] and vegetables [tomato sauce]: Some Poskim[1] rule that all fruits or vegetables that have been ground to the point that they have lost their original appearance lose their original blessing and receive the blessing of Shehakol, if this is not the common way of eating them. If, however, the fruits are still partially recognizable then they retain their blessing of Haeitz or Ha’adama. Other Poskim[2], however, rule that ground fruits and vegetables never lose their blessing even if not recognizable, as this law was only said by foods that are turned into bread, such as legumes and grains. Practically, one is to recite Shehakol on all ground foods, as Bedieved Shehakol includes all products. If, however, one said the original blessing he is Yotzei. Nevertheless, this only applies if this is not the normal method of eating the food. If, however, this is the normal method of eating the fruit, then it retains its original blessing.[3]
Fruits of 7 Minim:[4] If fruits of the seven species of Israel [i.e. dates, figs, pomegranate, olives, grapes] were ground [i.e. ground olives], then although their before blessing is Shehakol, as we conclude above, nevertheless, since there is doubt as to their after blessing, and as to whether it is Al Hapeiros or Borei Nefashos, therefore one should only eat this food within a meal, or not eat the Shiur of an after blessing. Some Poskim[5], however, rule that if one did eat the correct amount then he is to recite Al Hapeiros.
Legumes [i.e. chickpeas] and seeds [i.e. sesame]:[6] Raw legumes and seeds which have been ground into flour, then if they are not edible, they do not receive a blessing upon being eaten in their raw state.[7] If edible [i.e. raw flax or chia seeds], then their blessing is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.[8] If one cooked the ground kernels or crop seeds [beans, rice, pees, sesame, buckwheat], then the food receive the blessing of Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.[9] Hence, all legume bread, legume crackers, and legume porridge from ground legumes is Shehakol. This applies even if the kernels are not finely ground and certainly if the kernels have been ground into flour. However, if the kernels have not been finely ground and hence course pieces of kernel flour remain, then Bedieved one fulfills his obligation with the blessing of Ha’adama, even though initially the blessing remains Shehakol.[10]
Five grains – Ground wheat:[11] Plain flour of the five grains is Shehakol. This applies even if it still has choppy pieces of flour and tastes like wheat. This applies according to all opinions as the main use of grains is for bread and hence while ground it loses its blessing.[12] If this flour is mixed with liquid [i.e. dough] and made into a dish, then it can potentially become Mezonos or Hamotzi depending on how it is made [i.e. boiled versus baked] as we learned in length in chapters 8 through 10. If wheat flour is added to a very liquidy protein shake then its blessing is Shehakol, as we ruled in Chapter 10.
| Food Type | Examples | Preparation | Original Blessing | Blessing After Ground | Notes |
| Fruits & Vegetables | apple sauce, almond flour, tomato sauce | Ground | Haeitz or Ha’adama | Shehakol (if not common way of eating); Haeitz/Ha’adama (if still recognizable or normal method) | Some Poskim: never lose original blessing; Practically: say Shehakol; if original said, Yotzei |
| Fruits of 7 Minim | dates, figs, pomegranate, olives, grapes | Ground | Haeitz | Shehakol | Doubt on after blessing (Al Hapeiros or Borei Nefashos); eat within meal or not full Shiur; some say recite Al Hapeiros if correct amount eaten |
| Legumes & Seeds | chickpeas, sesame, flax, chia | Ground into flour | Ha’adama | Shehakol (if edible); No blessing if not edible; Borei Nefashos (after) | Cooked ground kernels: Shehakol & Borei Nefashos; legume bread/crackers/porridge: Shehakol; if not finely ground, Bedieved Ha’adama fulfills |
| Five Grains | wheat | Ground into flour | Mezonos/Hamotzi (if made into bread/dish) | Shehakol (plain flour); Mezonos/Hamotzi (if made into dish); Shehakol (if in protein shake) | Main use is bread; plain flour always Shehakol; depends on preparation for final blessing |
- Mashed foods:[13]
All mashed fruits and vegetables which have not totally lost their original appearance retain their original blessing of Haeitz or Ha’adama.
Legumes:[14] Whole legumes which have been cooked and then mashed using a spoon are Ha’adama, being that they still retain their appearance, and it is a common way of eating. However, if one mashes them using a spoon masher that contains perforations, then its blessing is Shehakol.
- Cooked and disintegrated foods:[15]
Fruits or vegetables which have disintegrated due to cooking and are thus no longer recognizable are disputed as to their blessing and practically they receive the blessing of Shehakol, if this is not the common way of eating them, just as we concluded above regarding ground fruits and vegetables. If the fruits are still partially recognizable then they retain their original blessing, of Haeitz or Ha’adama. If, however, one said Ha’adama or Haeitz he is Yotzei. Nevertheless, this only applies if this is not the normal method of eating the food. If, however, this is the normal method of eating the fruit, then it retains its original blessing.[16]
Fruits of 7 Minim:[17] If fruits of the seven species of Israel [i.e. dates, figs, pomegranate, olives, grapes] were cooked and completely disintegrated, then although their before blessing is Shehakol, as we concluded above, nevertheless, since there is doubt as to their after blessing, and as to whether it is Al Hapeiros or Borei Nefashos, therefore one should only eat this food within a meal, or not eat the Shiur of an after blessing. Some Poskim[18], however, rule that if one did eat the correct amount then he is to recite Al Hapeiros.
Legumes and seeds:[19] Cooked whole legume kernels or crop seeds which due to the cooking have disintegrated to the point they are no longer recognizable are Shehakol.
____________________________________________________[1] 1st opinion in Seder 7:23; 202:17
[2] 2nd opinion in Seder 7:23; 202:17
[3] Seder 7:23; 202:17
Admur brings a dispute and concludes that all crushed fruits are Lechatchila Shehakol since its not Derech Achilasam. However, certain ground foods may be defined as Derech Achilasam and its therefore Haeitz. Veztaruch Iyun as to what defines something as Derech Achilasam.
[4] Ketzos Hashulchan 51 footnote 3
[5] See M”B; Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:25; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202 footnote 84
[6] Luach 10:24; Admur 202:17; M”A 202:13; M”B 208:38
[7] Michaber and Rama 208:4 regarding roasted wheat and barley; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:5
[8] Seder 7:24
[9] Seder 1:10; 7:22 and 24; Luach 1:8-9; 10:24; Admur 202:17; 24; Michaber 208:8; Taz 208:11; Rif Brachos 26a; Rambam Brachos 3:10; Rabbeinu Yona Brachos 26a; Ketzos Hashulchan 51:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:21
[10] The law by coarsely ground, versus finely ground into flour: If the kernels have been ground to the point that they turned into flour [i.e. legume crackers or bread], then their blessing is Shehakol according to all opinions. If however they have been coarsely ground and hence pieces of the kernels still remain, then it is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether the blessing on the cooked dish is Shehakol [1st opinion in Seder 7:24; Luach 10:24; Admur 202:24] or Ha’adama [2nd opinion in parentheses in Seder 7:24 based on opinion in Seder 7:22; Luach 10:24; Admur 202:24]. Practically, Safek Brachos Lihakel, and hence its blessing is Shehakol, although if he recited Ha’adama he fulfills his obligation Bedieved. [Seder 7:24; Luach 10:24; Admur 202:24; Rama 202:7; Teurmas Hadeshen 129]
[11] Seder 7:22-23; Admur 202:17; Michaber 208:5; Mamar Mordechai 208:6; Kaf Hachaim 208:21; Ketzos Hashulchan 52:3
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that crushed grains or course flour is Ha’adama. [Olas Tamid 208:3]
[12] Seder 7:23
[13] Seder 7:22; Luach 10:23; Admur 202:17; Ketzos Hashulchan 52:1
[14] Luach 10:24; Admur 202:17; M”A 202:13; M”B 208:38
[15] Seder 7:23; 202:17
[16] Seder 7:23; 202:17
Admur brings a dispute and concludes that all crushed fruits are Lechatchila Shehakol since its not Derech Achilasam. However, certain ground foods may be defined as Derech Achilasam and its therefore Haeitz. Veztaruch Iyun as to what defines something as Derech Achilasam.
[17] Ketzos Hashulchan 51 footnote 3
[18] See M”B; Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:25; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202 footnote 84
[19] Seder 7:22 and 24; Luach 1:8-9; 10:24; Admur 202:17; 24; Ketzos Hashulchan 51:4
