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DonateThe general rule for blessings on soups is determined by the intent behind the preparation and consumption of the soup in regards to whether the intent was for the purpose of consuming the liquid, solid, or broth:
- Law of Ikar and Tafel if desires to eat both food and liquid together:[1]
The below cases in which a separate blessing would be recited over the broth of the soup, only applies in the event that one desires to now eat only the broth and not the solid. However, if one desires to eat them together, such as to eat Chicken soup with the vegetables and broth then only the blessing of the food is to be recited, as the broth is secondary to the food.
- Purpose of cooking for both solid and liquid – Intent to eat the solids with the soup broth:[2]
If one cooks Grains, vegetables, or fruits with the intention to eat them along with the soup, then the appropriate blessing over the broth when eaten alone without the solid may be the one corresponding to the grains, vegetables or fruits themselves [i.e. Mezonos, Haeitz or Ha’adama], as will be explained in Halacha’s 2-6 the exact ruling in such cases.[3]
- Purpose of cooking for the liquid – Intent to consume liquid without the solid:[4]
If the intent of the cooking was for the purpose of the liquid to consume the liquid alone[5] [and either discard or eat the grain or fruits as a secondary product to the soup], then by grain, legumes, and fruits the blessing over the liquid is always “Shehakol” followed by “Borei Nefashos.” By fruits and legumes, this holds true even if some of the fruits and legumes are eventually eaten with the soup, as they are considered secondary, although by the five grains, a separate blessing would also need to be recited over the grains. The one exception to this rule is vegetable soup, in which case the blessing of Ha’adama is recited on the broth even if the main intent of the cooking was for the sake of the broth, as will be explained in Halacha 3.
- Purpose of cooking for the solid:[6]
If the intent of the cooking is mainly for the sake of the solid, such as one who cooks fruits for the sake of preservation, then it is disputed as to what blessing should be recited over the liquid, the blessing of the solid[7] [i.e. Haeitz, Ha’adama, Mezonos], or the blessing of Shehakol.[8] [Accordingly, one is to initially recite over the liquid the blessing of Shehakol, although Bedieved if he recited over it the blessing of the solid, then he fulfills his obligation.[9] Even if one’s main intent was on the vegetables and he planned to throw out the liquid, such as the liquid of steamed vegetables, or the water of cooked pasta, and then later decided to eat the liquid, then it is subject to the above debate, and its initially blessing is Shehakol.]
Example of Shehakol liquids:[10]
- Fruit tea:[11][12]
- Tea with herbs (even if eaten):[13] [However, Bedieved, if one recited the blessing of Borei Peri Ha’adama, he is Yotzei.[14]]
- Coffee:[15] Shehakol
- Non water liquid:
All the previous scenarios of soups under discussion referred to solids that were cooked in plain water in which case at times the water of the soup receives the blessing of the solid. However, if they are cooked in liquids other than water, such as vinegar or Borsht , then it is debated whether their liquids are Shehakol or Ha’adama even by vegetable soup, in the event one plans to eat the liquid on its own without the vegetables, as explained in Halacha 8.
| Rule/Scenario | Intent/Purpose | Blessing on Broth/Liquid | Notes/Exceptions |
| Law of Ikar and Tafel | Eat food and liquid together | Blessing of the food only | Broth is secondary to food |
| Cooking for both solid and liquid | Eat solids with soup broth | Blessing may correspond to grains, vegetables, or fruits (Mezonos, Haeitz, Ha’adama) | When broth eaten alone, see Halacha’s 2-6 for details |
| Cooking for liquid | Consume liquid without solid | Shehakol (grains, legumes, fruits); Ha’adama (vegetable soup) | By five grains, separate blessing on grains; Ha’adama for vegetable soup even if main intent is broth |
| Cooking for solid | Mainly for solid (e.g., preservation) | Dispute: Blessing of solid or Shehakol; initially Shehakol | If recited blessing of solid, fulfills obligation; applies to liquid of steamed vegetables, water of cooked pasta |
| Shehakol liquids examples | Fruit tea, tea with herbs, coffee | Shehakol | Tea with herbs: Bedieved, Borei Peri Ha’adama is valid |
| Non water liquid | Solids cooked in liquids other than water | Debated: Shehakol or Ha’adama | Applies to vinegar, Borsht; see Halacha 8 |
| Other important rules Cooked [i.e. Bishul] versus Soaked [i.e. Sheriyah] soup broth and stock:[16] The discussion throughout this entire chapter [with exception to the last Halacha!] regarding the proper blessing to say upon consuming just the liquid of a soup applies whether the solid food was cooked in the liquid, or simply soaked in the liquid cold without cooking, to the point that the liquid received the taste of the solid food[17], such as to make a broth or stock.[18] If the food was not cooked and did not soak inside of the liquid to the point that it’s taste was transferred to it, then it’s ruling is discussed in Halacha 10. Beverage versus soup:[19] The entire discussion below on whether the liquid broth of the soup should receive a blessing other than Shehakol is only relevant when one comes to eat the liquid as soup, such as in a bowl with a spoon. However, when the intent is to drink the liquid as a beverage in a bottle or cup for the sake of pleasure and quenching one’s thirst, then according to all its blessing is Shehakol. Mixture of solid ingredients that contain different blessings:[20] In the event that various solids of different blessings are cooked within the soup, then the blessing over the broth of the soup follows the ruling of the broth of the majority ingredient, [with exception to meat and chicken and Mezonos products in which case the blessing always follows that of the meat and chicken or Mezonos even if it is only minority as will be explained in Halacha 7]. Thus for example, if one placed plums into a vegetable soup, if the majority ingredient is the vegetables, then it is considered vegetable soup and not plum soup. Puréed Soup – Blended soup:[21] Puréed soup is a type of soup where ingredients are blended into a smooth, creamy consistency. These soups can be made from a variety of vegetables, legumes, or even meats, and they often have a rich texture. Some popular puréed soups include: Butternut Squash Soup, Tomato Bisque, Potato Leek Soup, Carrot Ginger Soup, Pumpkin Soup. Its blessing: The blessing over puréed blended soup is Shehakol[22] unless it’s food component which was later blended, was a minority ingredient in comparison to its liquid which was the majority, and its liquid received the taste of the food in a way that its blessing is the same as the blessing of the food. Ø Example – Puréed Potato soup: If the majority ingredient of the soup was the potato and not the liquid than the blessing of Shehakol is said. If however there was more liquid in the soup than potatoes than a blessing of Ha’adama is said on the soup.[23] Soup mix:[24] If one added a large amount of soup mix to give flavor to the soup, then the broth of the soup always remains Shehakol being that it has its own independent taste, as explained in Halacha 8. However, Bedieved, if one recited the blessing of its food, then he is Yotzei, as explained there. |
| Topic | Description | Key Rule | Example |
| Cooked vs Soaked Soup Broth/Stock | Solid food cooked or soaked in liquid to impart taste | Blessing applies if taste is transferred; see Halacha 10 if not | Broth or stock made by soaking or cooking |
| Beverage vs Soup | Liquid consumed as soup or beverage | Blessing other than Shehakol only when eaten as soup; always Shehakol if drunk as beverage | Liquid in bowl with spoon vs bottle/cup for thirst |
| Mixture of Solid Ingredients | Solids of different blessings cooked in soup | Blessing follows majority ingredient, except for meat/chicken/Mezonos (always their blessing) | Plums in vegetable soup: majority determines blessing |
| Puréed (Blended) Soup | Ingredients blended into smooth consistency | Blessing is Shehakol unless liquid is majority and received taste; then follows food’s blessing | Butternut Squash Soup, Tomato Bisque, Potato Leek Soup, etc. |
| Puréed Potato Soup Example | Majority ingredient determines blessing | Majority potato: Shehakol; more liquid: Ha’adama | Puréed potato soup with more potato or more liquid |
| Soup Mix | Large amount of mix added for flavor | Blessing is always Shehakol; Bedieved, blessing of food is valid | Soup with flavor mix |
[1] Seder 7:19 “and if he comes to eat them together there is no need to say any blessing over the liquid being that it is secondary to the food and exempt with its blessing”; Implication of Seder 7:12 “if one comes to drink it on its own,” [hence implying that when consumed together with the fruit than its blessing is always secondary to that of the fruit, and so explains Rav Elyashvili in footnote 87 and 92]; M”B 202:54; 205:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 footnote 149 and 202:26 footnote 160; See Aruch Hashulchan 212:2; Kaf Hachaim 205:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:9; See Seder 7:10; Admur 212:5; See also regarding fruits cooked in honey and determining Ikur and Tafel: Seder 7:10; 6:10; Luach 10:10; Admur 204:17; M”A 204:25; Elya Raba 204:17; Chacham Tzevi 129
[2] See Seder 7:12-14
Other opinions: See Kaf Hachaim 205:11 90 soup can only receive the blessing of its food in the event that its food content has disintegrated into it and never receives the blessing of the food when simply eating the liquid, and so is the custom of the Sephardim. See Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 the base of all the conditions necessary to be met it is very rare that a soup would receive the blessing of its food
[3] The reason: The difference between liquid that had food cooked or soaked in it versus liquid that simply had food enter it without cooking or soaking is with regards to the taste of the food entering the liquid. When the solid is cooked or soaked inside of the liquid and gives it taste than the liquid becomes secondary to the food and is considered like the food itself [and hence receives the blessing of the food in those cases discussed in the previous laws]. This is due to one of two reasons: 1) Being that the entire purpose of the cooking was to give taste to the liquid. [2nd opinion in Seder 7:12] 2) being that it is common to eat the food together with the liquid or with bread. [1st opinion in Seder 7:12]. [Seder 7:19; Luach 10:19; Admur 202:13; Meiri and Reah Brachos 39a]
[4] Seder 7:14 regarding fruits, 15 regarding Mezonos; 16 regarding five grains and Kitniyos; Luach 10:14; Admur 202:12; M”A 205:6; Rabbeinu Yona Brachos 27b; Mordechai Brachos Remez 125; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 condition 2
[5] Seder 7:14 writes “to consume the liquid by itself,” although in 7:15-17 the wording is simply that the main intent is on the liquid
[6] Seder 7:18; Luach 10:18, Admur 202:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 condition 2
[7] 2nd opinion in Seder 7:18, Luach 10:18, Admur 202:12; Based on 2nd opinion in Seder 7:12; Luach 10:12; Admur 202:11; Michaber 202:10; Rosh Brachos 4:15;
The reason: The reason is because the liquid was cooked with the fruits for the purpose of the fruits [Admur Seder 7:18] and contains a taste of the fruits. [Seder 7:12]
[8] 1st opinion in Seder 7:18, Luach 10:18, Admur 202:12; Taz 202:10; Based on 1st opinion in Seder 7:12, Luach 10:12, Admur 202:11, Michaber 202:10; Rashba Brachos 38a
The reason: The reason is because the water was not cooked for this purpose of receiving the taste of the fruit and to become enhanced as a result of it. In this regard is not similar to the cooking of vegetable soup in which case the intent is also on the soup that receive the taste of the vegetable and be considered significant like it. [Admur Seder 7:18]
[9] As rules Admur in Seder 7:12; Rav Avraham Alyashvili footnote 135; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 condition 2
[10] Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 condition 2 footnote 143; 202:28
[11] Seder 7:14; Luach 10:14; M”A 205:6; Mordechai Brachos Remez 125
[12] The reason: As the intent of the cooking is for the sake of the liquid, while the solid is eventually discarded. Hence, it falls into the middle category above that the regular blessing of Shehakol is recited over the liquid.
[13] Seder 7:14; Luach 10:14; Admur 202:12; Shut Parach Mateh Aaron 1:40; Shvus Yaakov 2:5; Beir Heiytiv 202:19
[14] Chidushei Tzemach Tzedek 9a
[15] Seder 7:14; Luach 10:14; See Chidusehi Tzemach Tzedek 198b; Perach Mateh Aaron 1:40; Shvus Yaakov 2:5; Mur Uketzia 204; Beir Heiytiv 202:19; Pachad Yitzchak Os Kuf; Zera Emes 30; Ikarei Hadat 10:57; P”M 205 M”Z 13; Birkeiy Yosef 204:9; Shaareiy Teshuvah 204:19; Kaf Hachaim 202:70; Maharitz Dushinsky 21; Yabia Omer 5:18; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:28
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that coffee is Ha’adama. [Halachos Ketanos 1:9; Panim Meiros 95; Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 202:71] Others argue that it should be Haeitz. [Mur Uketzia 204]
[16] See Admur Seder 7:12 “Sheshra’an Oi Bishlan” which means that one soaked them or cooked up. These two terms are used by Admur throughout this Halacha [i.e. twice in 7:12, 7:13; 3x in 7:14] to emphasize that the law applies irrelevant of whether a cooking process took place, as the main thing is the taste of the solid having entered the liquid, and not how it got there; See Michaber 202:10
[17] See Seder 7:19 “Nishreh Ad Shenasan Bo Taam”; M”B 202:51 [24 hours] and Shaar Hatziyon 202:60 [is dependent on food, and so is implied from Admur ibid]; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 condition 4 footnote 147
[18] Broth or stock is a flavorful liquid made by simmering ingredients like bones, meat, or vegetables in water, often used as a base for soups, sauces, and other dishes. This is in contrast marinating a solid within the liquid which typically is done within a seasoned liquid before cooking to enhance flavor and tenderness of the solid itself. Marinating is more about adding flavor to the food itself, while making a broth or stock is about extracting flavors into the liquid.
[19] M”B 202:34; Birchas Habayis 6:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 condition 5 footnote 148
[20] Ashel Avraham Butchach 202; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:25 footnote 154-156; Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:9
[21] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:6 footnote 21
[22] The reason: As all ground products that have been turned into a liquid receive the blessing of Shehakol. Thus the ground vegetables are Shehakol. Now, although the broth itself is to receive the blessing of Ha’adama, nonetheless, we always follow the majority ingredient and if the majority ingredient was the vegetables which are now Shehakol, then one recites this blessing on the entire soup as is always the rule with Ikar following the majority.
[23] The reason: As the liquid is the majority ingredient, and the liquid of vegetable soup receives the blessing of Ha’adama. The fact that it’s vegetables were later puréed and turned into Shehakol does not have the power to now change its blessing.
[24] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:6
