9. Bush fruits and berries [Blueberries, Mulberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Cranberries]:

The status of fruits of a bush follow the same rules explained in the previous Halachas, and its blessing is hence dependent on whether they are perennials or if they wither away in winter [Halacha 7], and if the fruits grow directly from the stalk or stem rather than from branches which grow on a trunk [Halacha 8], and according to some opinions regarding the height of the bush. The following is a list of examples of Bush fruits and their blessing:

• Examples of berries:

1. Blueberries:[1] Blueberries grow on bushes that can vary in size from compact shrubs to taller, tree-like varieties. Blueberry bushes are perennials, meaning they produce berries year after year once established. Accordingly, their blessing is Haeitz according to all.
2. Mulberries [Tut Eitz, not to be confused with blackberries]:[2] Mulberries, known as “Yagdas Hashechorim” in Hebrew, grow on actual trees, and their fruits look very similar to blackberries in size, shape, and even color. Their blessing is Haeitz according to all.
3. Blackberries [not to be confused with mulberries or black colored raspberries[3]]: Blackberries, grow on thorny (or sometimes thornless) bramble canes which is a type of bush. These canes are biennial—one year, they grow vegetatively, and the next year, they produce flowers and berries. The main canes are hard, and remain from year to year. Their blessing is debated if Ha’adama[4] or Haeitz[5] and hence one is to recite Ha’adama.
4. Raspberries: Raspberries grow on canes, much like blackberries. These canes are biennial. During the first year, they grow as primocanes (non-fruiting canes). In the second year, these same canes become floricanes (fruit-bearing canes). After they bear fruit, the floricanes die and need to be pruned away before winter. The primocanes, however, become next year’s fruiting floricanes. Their blessing is debated if Ha’adama[6] or Haeitz[7] and hence one is to recite Ha’adama.
5. Cranberries:[8] Commercially it grows on a low bush which reaches up until 2 to 8 inches in height [between 5 to 20 cm tall]. The bush is a perennial which means that they can continuously grow crop year after year, and no part of the bush dies throughout the year, other than of course the leaves. Its blessing is debated amongst today’s Poskim, Rabbanim, Hashgacha agencies and Bracha lists, with some ruling that is blessing is Haeitz[9], and others ruling that its blessing is Ha’adama.[10] Practically, according to Admur one should recite Haeitz.

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[1] Piskeiy Teshuvos 203:3; Luach Rav Alyashvili

Difference between blueberry bushes and blackberry bushes: Blueberry bushes and blackberry bushes differ in several ways, from their physical characteristics to their growth habits:

1. Plant Structure: Blueberries grow on compact, upright shrubs. These bushes are woody, perennial plants that range from small (1–2 feet tall) to taller varieties (up to 12 feet). The structure is dense and bush-like. Blackberries grow on sprawling brambles with long, thorny (or thornless) canes. These canes may grow upright, arching, or trailing along the ground, and they often require support, like a trellis.
2. Lifecycle: Blueberry Bushes are perennial and their woody branches persist year after year, growing stronger and producing fruit annually. Blackberry Bushe, while the plant itself is perennial, the canes are biennial. The canes live for two years: in the first year, they grow vegetatively, and in the second year, they produce fruit before dying off.

[2] Seder 6:7; M”B 203:3; Pischeiy Halacha 9:4

[3] Difference between blackberries and raspberries: Blackberries and raspberries may look similar, but there are key differences between the two:

1. Shape of the Fruit: When you pick a blackberry, the core (also called the receptacle) stays inside the fruit, giving it a solid shape. With raspberries, the core detaches from the fruit, leaving the berry hollow in the center.
2. Color Variety: Blackberries are always dark purple or black when fully ripe. Raspberries come in multiple colors, including red, black, yellow (golden), and purple.
3. Taste: Blackberries are slightly tarter, especially when not fully ripe, though ripe ones are sweet and juicy. Raspberries tend to be sweeter, with a more delicate, tangy flavor.
4. Growth Habit: Blackberry canes (branches) are usually sturdier and can be thorny or thornless. They may have a trailing or upright growth habit. Raspberry canes are typically thinner and also can be thorny or thornless, but they are less woody compared to blackberries.
5. Seeds: Blackberries have larger seeds that are more noticeable when eating, while raspberries have smaller seeds.

[4] All Poskim who rule this way regarding raspberries

[5] Igros Moshe 1:85; Piskeiy Teshuvos 203:3; See M”B 203:1; Nishmas Adam 58

[6] Seder 6:7 says Malena is Ha’adama and Malena is raspberries in Yiddish and Czech; Seder Birchas Hanehnin in English based on 6:7; Luach Prus p.44; Luach of Rav Elyashvili

[7] Igros Moshe 1:85; Piskeiy Teshuvos 203:3; See M”B 203:1; Nishmas Adam 58

[8] See Shaareiy Habracha 23; See regarding the definition of a tree regarding the blessing of Haeitz versus Ha’adama: Seder Birchas Hanehnin 6:6-7; Admur 203:1; Rama 203:2; Tur 203; Beis Yosef 203; Brachos 40a; Rashi ibid; Rosh Brachos 6:23; Mordechai Brachos Remez 131; Ritva Brachos 1:9; Or Zarua Brachos 172; Levush 203:1-2; Chidushei Tzemach Tzedek 10:3-4; Chayeh Adam 51:9; M”B 203:3; Ketzos Hashulchan 49:6 Piskeiy Teshuvos 203:3; See regarding a bush which is less than three Tefachim: M”A 203:1; M”B 203:3 [M”A rules is Haeitz, but custom is Ha’adama]; Igros Moshe O.C. 1:85 [disputes claim of M”B ibid  and says that in his vicinity they were accustomed like the opinion of the M”A to say Haeitz even on the fruits of low bushes]

Explanation: There exists a major debate in the Rishonim and Poskim regarding the definition of a tree, for which one is to recite the blessing of Haeitz over its fruit. The core of the debate is regarding those trees that are not complete perennials and have some part of the tree die after its season of fruit, such as the branches, or trunk, or even roots. In general, due to the lack of arbitration on the matter, whenever a tree is not a complete perennial, we recite the blessing of Ha’adama due to the doubt. This explains the reason for why the blessing of Ha’adama is recited over certain fruits of a tree, such as bananas. Now, regarding the cranberry, commercially it grows on a low bush which reaches up until 2 to 8 inches in height [between 5 to 20 cm tall]. The bush is a perennial which means that they can continuously grow crop year after year, and no part of the bush dies throughout the year, other than of course the leaves. According to the above, it would seem that the blessing of the fruit should be Haeitz according to all opinions. However, some Poskim suggest that there is an additional condition for a tree to have the definition of a tree which has its fruit be defined as Haeitz, and that is the height of the tree. They claim that if the tree is less than three Tefachim tall then it is considered a fruit of the ground and its blessing is Ha’adama. The Mishneh Berurah concludes that while the main opinion is that even such fruits are defined as Haeitz, nonetheless, the custom is to recite Ha’adama on such fruits being that they are not viewed so much as a fruit. However, the Igros Moshe disavows this claim, saying that indeed the custom is to say Haeitz. This then is the core of the debate amongst today’s Poskim and Rabbanim regarding cranberries. Do we view cranberries as an important fruit and therefore even according to the above custom it should be Haeitz, or is the mere fact that it grows on a bush that is less than three Tefachim tall and that it is not eaten plain and raw make it nonimportant, and is therefore still subject to the above discrepancy between the main opinion and testified custom and the testimony of the Mishneh Berura versus that of the Igros Moshe. Practically, according to the rulings of the Alter Rebbe in his Seder Birchas Hanehnin I would concord that the blessing is Haeitz, and so is the conclusion of some of the compilations of list of blessings of Chabad publications. The reason for this is because the Alter Rebbe completely ignores and omits any further condition regarding the height of the bush for it to be considered Haeitz and he makes no mention of the height of the bush as being a criteria for the blessing. Regarding those of other sects, they should ask their Rav for a Pesak on the matter.

[9] Yisa Yosef 2:3 [of Rav Efrati] in name of Rav Elyashiv; Madrich of Eida Hachareidis and Rabbanei Badatz of Eida Hachareidis; Hilchos Yom Beyom Brachos [Karp] 3:9; Rav Y.S. Ginzberg that Admur rules like M”A ibid and so its HaeitzLuach of Rav Marlow; Dirshu; 

[10] Vezos Habracha p. 379 and Visein Bracha 2:249 in name of Rav SZ”A; Heichal Horah of Rav Bransdofer 2:23; of Piskeiy Teshuvos 203:3; Luach of Peruss; Luach of Gadasi; OU bracha list based on Rav Belsky