Tu’bishvat - Shehechiyanu

Q. Some have a minhag to recite Shehechiyanu on a new fruit on Tu B’Shevat. If I need to say Ha’eitz and Shehechiyanu, what is the order of the brachos? Do I say the bracha of Shehechiyanu and then Ha’eitz, or do I say Ha’eitz and then Shehechiyanu?

A. Mishna Berura (225:11) writes that when one needs to say both Ha’eitz and Shehechiyanu, the proper procedure is to first say the bracha of Shehechiyanu, followed by the bracha on the fruit, and then to take a bite. This is not considered a hefsek (break) between the recitation of the Shehechiyanu and eating the fruit because the bracha of Shehechiyanu was instituted primarily to be said upon seeing the fruit. Although the common practice is to delay saying the bracha until we eat from it, still it is not a hefsek, since the bracha can really be said on seeing the fruit.

Mishna Berura writes that alternatively, one can recite Ha’eitz, take a bite and then after swallowing the first bite recite Shehechiyanu. However it is best not to say Shehechiyanu immediately after Ha’eitz, as this would cause a hefsek (break) between the recitation of the bracha on the fruit and eating the fruit.

The Kaf Hachaim adopts a different position. He writes that it is preferable to recite Ha’eitz followed by Shehechiyanu, because of the rule Tadir Kodem (the more common bracha, in this case Ha’eitz, should be recited first). Presumably, he is not concerned that the Shehechiyanu is a hefsek after Ha’eitz because both brachos relate to the eating of the fruit. Many Sefardim follow the opinion of the Kaf Hachaim.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.