Chapter 55: 1-3
The Order of Precedence of Blessings
1. [The following rules apply] when many different species of fruit are
placed before a person and he desires to eat all them: If their blessings
are the same, he should recite the blessing over the one which is dearest
to him and which he desires most.*
* {Rabbenu Asher explains that the expression "the one which is dearest to
him and which he desires most" refers to the species of fruit which the
person generally prefers, even though at present, he desires another
species more. (See Misgeres Hashulchon [2], Mishnoh B'rurah 211:11.)}
If he likes two equally, then priority is given to one which comes from the
seven species with which Eretz Yisrael is blessed (see Chapter 51, Law 7);
he should recite the blessing over it, even if there is only a portion of
fruit and the remainder are whole. If none of the fruits are of these seven
species, then if one is whole and the others are not whole, the one which
is whole is given precedence.*
* {When the same blessing is recited over all the fruits, the following
should be the order of priority:
a) the seven species with which Eretz Yisrael is blessed;
b)fruit which is whole;
c)the fruit which a person prefers (Misgeres Hashulchon [1,2], Mishnoh
B'rurah 211:35).}
Similarly, if they require different blessings - one requiring the blessing
borey pri ho'eitz, and the other borey pri hadomoh, and blessings must be
recited over both of them [-the following rules apply]:
If the person likes one type of fruit more, he should recite the blessing
for it first. If he likes both equally, he should recite the blessing for a
fruit which is of the seven species, even if it is not whole. If none of
the fruit is from the seven species, he should recite a blessing for the
fruit which is whole. If they are both whole or both are not whole, the
blessing borey pri ho'eitz should be recited before borey pri hadomoh.*
* {The Mishnoh B'rurah (ibid.)maintains that borey pri ho'eitz should
always be recited before borey pri hadomoh.}
2. If all the fruits are from the seven species and equal in preference,
one should recite the blessing for the fruit mentioned first in the verse
(Deuteronomy 8:8).
[That verse mentions the world "land" twice.] The second mention of the
word "land" interrupts the order [and those which are closer to it are also
given prominence]. Thus, dates are given precedence over grapes, for dates
come second after the second mention of the word "land", while grapes are
third following the mention of the word "land".
This applies to grapes, but not to wine. Since wine is an important entity
and a special blessing was instituted for it, it takes precedence over all
fruits.
3. When are fruit of the seven species given precedence? When they are
completely ripened. However, fruit which is not completely ripened is not
given any priority, for the Torah did not praise anything which is not fit
for eating. Similarly, if one eats fruit of the seven species in a manner
in which one derives no benefit from it - e.g., one who chews wheat - the
order of precedence does not apply.
