Halacha: What Blessing Do We Say on a Tomato?
Curious about the blessings for tomatoes? Learn both the first and last blessings with an explanation on the required amount to eat.
- הידברות
- פורסם ח' חשון התשע"ז

#VALUE!
On a tomato, we say "ha'adama"; for puree, "shehakol" (first blessing)
After eating, we say "borei nefashot" (last blessing)
* * *
The required amount for a last blessing (from "Daily Halacha" based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l):
For everything a person eats, they must say a "first blessing," such as "shehakol" or "ha'etz." Even if only a small amount is consumed, a blessing is required if it is eaten as food. (However, if only tasting the food to adjust seasoning, no blessing is said for that consumption). Therefore, one who chews flavored gum, even if swallowing very little, still must bless for the enjoyment of the taste. Similarly, for any drink, one must bless even for just a drop.
This applies particularly to the first blessing, but the last blessing is only said after a "significant consumption." A significant amount is the size of an "olive", meaning twenty-seven grams, while for drinks, it is a "revi'it," or eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking must be within a time frame that combines the consumption. For example, eating an "olive" size portion of bread over an entire day in crumbs does not allow for a concluding blessing. Instead, the olive-sized portion must be consumed within the time frame of "eating a portion," which is debated by scholars: some say five minutes, others around seven and a half minutes (with additional views). Hence, it is always best to consume an olive-sized portion (especially during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to satisfy all opinions.
For a last blessing on a drink, a "revi'it" must be consumed at once. If paused between sips, no final blessing is said. Therefore, someone drinking soup with a spoon doesn't bless the soup afterward as a full "revi'it" was not consumed at once. Similarly, with hot coffee or tea, no last blessing is said because it can't be drunk all at once.