Shehechiyanu on produce created with a transgression

Hi,

There is debate as to whether one recites Shehechiyanu for fruit which is the product of a prohibited interspecies graft.

As a matter of practice, Rav Moshe Feinstein wrote that one should not recite the blessing for such a graft, since Gd indicated His displeasure with this practice when He prohibited Jews from doing it.

(R' Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:58)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu: Ripe vs Edible

Hi,

We have mentioned that one does not recite Shehechiyanu on an underripe fruit. This is true even if the fruit is edible; "ripeness" refers to the fruit's final state, in which it is popularly considered "good to eat" and enjoyable.

(Mishneh Berurah 225:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Fruits which have two seasons of availability

Hi,

Fruits which are available during two distinct times of the year, with a significant (at least one month) period of non-availability between them, warrant the Shehechiyanu blessing each time the fruit becomes available.

This presumes that one feels joy when the fruit again becomes available.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 225:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu on vegetables

Hi,

Yesterday we said that one does not recite this blessing regarding vegetables, because they are available all year. Note that for the purpose of this law, "vegetables" refers to produce upon which we recite "borei pri ha'adamah."

Of course, certain vegetables are only available seasonally, but we still do not recite the Shehechiyanu for vegetables.

Two reasons are presented for this ruling:

1. Most vegetables are available most of the year, and we don't distinguish between one vegetable and another within the general category, and

2. Vegetables can be preserved for long periods of time without deterioration in quality, and so one does not feel great joy when they are again available fresh.

Of course, one would not recite Shehechiyanu on a fruit which was around all year, either.

(Mishneh Berurah 225:18)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu on fruit that has been available

Hi,

One recites a Shehechiyanu only for fruit which goes through periods when it is not available. If it is always around, one does not recite this blessing - even if he goes a long period of time without eating it.

This is one reason why the blessing is recited only on fruit and not on vegetables; more on this in the next post, Gd-willing.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 225:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu on related species

Hi,

One who recites the Shehechiyanu blessing for a certain new fruit may still recite the blessing for a related new fruit in the same season, if the two fruits differ in taste and he feels the same joy at experiencing the later one as he did when experiencing the earlier one.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 225:4; Mishneh Berurah 225:14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu on underripe fruit

Hi,

One who feels great joy when seeing the new fruit even before it is ripe should still not recite the blessing until seeing the fruit in a ripe, edible state.

(Mishneh Berurah 225:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu upon seeing or eating the fruit?

Hi,

We mentioned yesterday that one who sees a newly available fruit, which is only available in season, and who experiences joy from seeing it, recites the "Shehechiyanu" blessing.

This is true even if one does not purchase the fruit, but only sees that someone else has it. So long as one benefits from the experience, he recites the blessing.

However, we generally recite the blessing only upon eating the fruit, which is when most people feel the height of their enjoyment.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 225:3; Mishneh Berurah 225:11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shehechiyanu upon seeing a new fruit

Hi,

With Tu b'Shevat next Friday night and Shabbat, and an associated custom of eating fruit that has not been in season for a while, let's review the laws of reciting Shehechiyanu before eating a new fruit.

One who sees a newly available fruit which is only available in certain seasons, and feels great joy at seeing it, recites the blessing of 'Shehechiyanu.' The text of the blessing is 'Baruch Atah Ado--nai Elo--heinu Melech HaOlam Shehechiyanu viKiyimanu viHigianu laZman haZeh.' 'Blessed are You, Gd, Our Lord, King of the Universe, who has given us life, maintained us and brought us to this day.'

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 225:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai