The proper blessing of a lemon

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Blessing on lemons:[1]

Lemons that are only mildly sour, and are thus edible, receive the blessing of Shehakol.[2] Lemons that are very sour to the point of inedibility, do not receive a blessing at all prior to consumption.[3]

Lemon peel:[4] The peel of a lemon which is edible, receives the blessing of Shehakol prior to consumption.

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[1] Ketzos Hashulchan 49:16; Brachos Guide in English Birchas Hanehnin; Brachos guide of Rav Prus; Seder Birchas Hanehnin 6:22 of Rav Elyashvili footnote 130

Other opinions: See Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:35 footnote 208 who states there are three types of lemons: a) Very sour and inedible-no blessing; b) Very sour but still edible-Shehakol. This is majority of lemons today; c) Mildly sour lemon-Haeitz according to Admur 205:1; d) Lemon juice with sugar is Haeitz if majority lemon juice; Vetzaruch Iyun Gadol on many of his points, as a) Admur 205:1 never states that a food that can be eaten “Beshas Hadechak” receives its set blessing; b) Admur explicitly states in many places [see below] that we follow the intent of the planting, if planted to eat in its current state; c) Where do these three types of lemons exist? d) How can one say Haeitz on a juice, in direct contradiction to the ruling in Michaber 202:23! Obviously, one may not rely on his words at all regarding this matter, and the ruling remains as stated above!

[2] The reason: As these fruits are edible in a time of need and thus they receive a blessing. [See Admur 202:4; Seder 6:1; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid and 49:7] However, their blessing is Shehakol, as all fruits that are not commonly planted to be eaten in their current state, but rather for use of seasoning, receive the blessing of Shehakol. [Seder Birchas Hanehnin 6:22; Luach 9:9; Admur 203:6 and 204:3-4 and 205:1; M”A 203:4]

[3] See Admur 202:4; Seder 6:1; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid and 49:7; Michaber 202:2; Birchas Habayis 1:49; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202 footnote 96

[4] See Admur 202:9; Seder 6:4 and 15; Ketzos Hashulchan 51:7 footnote 7

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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