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Donate- Fruits that grow directly from a trunk:[1]
If a tree or bush has a trunk and its fruits grow directly from it, the appropriate blessing is Borei Pri Ha’adama according to all opinions. This ruling applies even if the trunk remains intact and does not deteriorate over time in the winter. [Thus, even Bedieved, if one recited the blessing of Haeitz, he does not fulfill his obligation, and must recite the blessing of Ha’adama.]
Besamim and Kileiy Hakerem:[2] For Besamim and Kilei Hakerem, the classification as Besamim remains unchanged even if they grow on a soft trunk, and hence they retain the blessing of Atzei Besamim.
- Examples of Ha’adama fruits according to all:
- Strawberries:[3] Strawberries grow on low, herbaceous plants, not on trees or vines. They grow close to the ground. They spread out using runners (horizontal stems) that produce new plants. Tiny white flowers bloom on the plant, which are pollinated to form the fruit. The fruit begins as small, green berries and gradually ripens to a juicy red. Strawberry plants are perennial, meaning they can produce fruit for multiple years if cared for properly, though their productivity declines after a few seasons. Strawberries are Ha’adama according to all being that their stem is soft and it grows from the trunk.
- Pineapple: The pineapple plant has a rosette of long, spiky, sword-like leaves that grow out from a central stem. At the center of the plant, a flower stalk emerges, producing many small purple flowers. These flowers fuse together to form a single fruit—what we recognize as the pineapple. It takes about 18–24 months for a pineapple to fully mature, making it a relatively slow-growing fruit. A single pineapple plant typically produces only one fruit at a time from its central stem. Seemingly, its blessing is Ha’adama according to all, and if one says Haeitz he is not Yotzei.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes grow on plants. The tomato plant is a vine-like herbaceous plant, which is a soft stem rather than a woody trunk like a tree. Depending on the variety, tomato plants can either grow as bush-like structures (determinate varieties) or as sprawling vines that often need support from stakes or cages (indeterminate varieties). Whatever the case, its blessing is Ha’adama according to all, and if one says Haeitz he is not Yotzei.
- Sesame: Sesame grows on plants, not trees. Sesame plants are upright and can reach heights of about 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters). They have green, soft stems and elongated leaves. The plants produce tubular flowers that can be white, pink, or pale purple, depending on the variety. After pollination, the flowers form small seed pods. Each pod contains the sesame seeds, which are harvested when the plant matures. Its blessing is Ha’adama according to all, and if one says Haeitz he is not Yotzei.
| Fruit/Plant | Growth Description | Blessing (Ha’adama) | If Haeitz Recited |
| Fruits from trunk | Grow directly from trunk, trunk remains intact | Borei Pri Ha’adama | Not Yotzei, must recite Ha’adama |
| Besamim and Kileiy Hakerem | Classification as Besamim unchanged, even on soft trunk | Atzei Besamim | — |
| Strawberries | Grow on low, herbaceous plants close to ground, spread by runners, perennial | Ha’adama according to all | Not Yotzei |
| Pineapple | Rosette of long leaves, central stem, flower stalk forms fruit, slow-growing, one fruit per plant | Ha’adama according to all | Not Yotzei |
| Tomatoes | Grow on vine-like herbaceous plants, soft stem, bush or vine varieties | Ha’adama according to all | Not Yotzei |
| Sesame | Grow on upright plants, soft stems, produce seed pods with sesame seeds | Ha’adama according to all | Not Yotzei |
[1] Seder 6:7; Luach 9:7; Admur 203:2; M”A 203:1; Toesfta Kilayim 3:13; Yerushalmi Kilayim 5; Ketzos Hashulchan 49:6
[2] Seder 6:7; Michaber Y.D. 296:15; Yerushalmi Kilayim 5:7
[3] M”B 203:3; Igros Moshe 1:86; See Seder ibid “Minei Tutin which are called Mellons in our countries”