Borei Pri Ha'adamah
Borei Pri HaAdamah is one of the blessings over food (Birchot haNehenin) in Jewish law. It is recited over produce that grows from the earth, including vegetables and non-tree fruits.
Although fruits that grow on trees normally require the blessing Borei Pri HaEtz, if one mistakenly recites HaAdamah over them, they have fulfilled their obligation post facto.
Classification: Tree or Ground?
Early authorities debated what defines a tree versus a plant of the ground. One opinion bases the distinction on the plant’s lifespan—perennials are considered trees, while annuals are not. For example, bananas receive the blessing HaAdamah despite growing on tall plants.Another approach considers whether the fruit grows from branches of a tree. Fruits emerging from roots or soft stems are categorized as "ground fruits".
Processing and Usage
According to one opinion, wheat or barley flour still warrants Borei Pri HaAdamah. Rabbi Nachman, however, argues that flour is no longer the natural form of the grain, and since it is not typically consumed raw, the blessing is Shehakol—as with any processed food lacking distinct natural form.Similarly, they debate over edible palm shoots, harvested before the branches harden. Rabbi Yehudah sees them as produce warranting HaAdamah, while Shmuel disagrees since the tree was not planted with edible shoots in mind. Shmuel concedes that if a plant was intended for consumption in that form, then HaAdamah is justified.
Alternate Version: Borei Minei Desha'im
Rabbi Yehudah maintained that vegetables deserve a more specific blessing: "Borei Minei Desha'im". The Talmud explains:Nonetheless, the halakha follows the majority opinion, and the blessing used for vegetables remains Borei Pri HaAdamah.
Text and translation
Hebrew
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָהTransliteration
'''Barukh attah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei pri ha-adamah.'''English
"Blessed are You, L‑ORD our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the ground."Some Ashkenazi Jews pronounce it ha-adamóh, while Sephardic pronunciation tends to be ha-adamáh; both are halakhically valid.