Brachos 38a: Blessings on Fruit Juices - Rashi's Approach

Full Summary

This shiur provides a comprehensive analysis of Brachos 38a, focusing on the Gemara (גמרא)'s discussion of blessings made on fruit juices and extracts. The central question addressed is whether one makes a blessing on squeezed fruit juice (like orange juice or date honey) and what type of blessing is appropriate. Rabbi Zweig presents multiple approaches to understanding the sugya, with particular emphasis on Rashi (רש"י)'s unique perspective. According to the initial approach discussed, when juice is extracted from fruit, it represents only a qualitative part of the fruit rather than a quantitative portion, lacking the substantial 'gush' component that defines a complete fruit. This would explain why such extracts receive only a shehakol blessing rather than borei pri ha'etz. However, Rashi's approach is presented as fundamentally different and more radical. Rashi holds that liquids categorically cannot be considered fruits (ain pri) - not because they lack part of the original fruit, but because liquid substances inherently lack the status of 'pri' regardless of their source. This creates a fascinating framework where fruit juices should theoretically warrant their own borei pri ha'etz blessing as independent liquid fruits produced by the tree, but they cannot receive this blessing precisely because they are liquids. The shiur explores how this principle applies to wine and oil, where special blessings (borei pri hagefen, etc.) are made not on the liquid itself but on the original grape or olive that was intentionally planted for liquid extraction (pri hanikta l'mashkeh). The Gemara's case of unripe grapes used for vinegar (chomet s'funas) is analyzed to support Rashi's position that even liquefied solids do not receive fruit blessings. Rabbi Zweig contrasts this with the Rosh's discussion of vegetable soups, where blessings are made on the vegetables themselves when they are used in their intended manner. The shiur demonstrates how these fundamental questions about the nature of blessings, the definition of fruits, and the relationship between solids and liquids have practical ramifications for contemporary halachic decisions regarding fruit juices, smoothies, and processed foods.