Shehechiyanu: practical information

In today’s age, the concept of “seasonal fruit” is constantly changing. This article features a list of more than 100 common and rare fruits and vegetables and notes each one's halachic status. The list is current as of Tammuz 5778.

Rabbis of Torah VeHa'aretz Institute and Agronomist Yehuda Heller

See as well our article: Shehechiyanu: Making a Shehechiyanu on New Fruit Today

The table below features current data on the availably of fruits and vegetables in the marketplace and in local farms, and notes the practical ramifications vis-à-vis making the beracha of shehechiyanu.

Table key

• Fruits and vegetables in bold are considered seasonal in Israel even today, and it is possible to say shehechiyanu on them.
• Fruits and vegetables in italics have borderline seasonal status. The halachic guidelines for this produce appears in the column "Shehechiyanu?"; a discussion for some of them appears in the endnotes.
• Other fruits and vegetables are not considered seasonal, but it is possible to make a beracha on some of them, according to the guidelines provided in the endnotes.

Overview

Shehechiyanu is a unique blessing instituted on fruit that renews annually, and one's joy on eating this fruit. For this reason, it is not recited on non-seasonal fruit, even if it is the first time in one's life eating it.

The best time to make the beracha is when eating the fruit when it first comes out. Making a shehechiyanu when seeing the fruit on a tree fulfills the obligation of saying a shehechiyanu bedi'avad. It is possible to say a shehechiyanu as long as one has not finished eating the fruit.

Some poskim rule that first one makes a beracha on the fruit, and then a shehechiyanu; others hold that shehechiyanu comes first, and then the beracha on the fruit. Everyone should follow their custom.

One should not make a shehechiyanu on two varieties of the same fruit. Some do say shehechiyanu on two varieties of the same fruit, provided that there is a significant difference between the two in taste and appearance.

Fruit available all year

Fruit available all year on the tree, and fruit grown all year does not warrant a shehechiyanu. For this reason, fruit available all year in the supermarkets thanks to refrigeration, storage, or import do not warrant a shehechiyanu. However, if the fruit is new and this is apparent in its taste or appearance (as opposed to its refrigerated/otherwise stored counterpart) it is possible to say shehechiyanu.

However, even fruits and vegetables available all year thanks to refrigeration, etc., if a new fruit appears on your tree and you know you are eating a new fruit, it is possible to say shehechiyanu on it. For fruit available all year thanks to different cultivars of the fruit growing, where no one cultivar grows year-round, one can say shehechiyanu on new fruit on one's tree or from the supermarket when one can be certain that this is a new fruit.

Spices can be eaten year-round thanks to refrigeration; for this reason, shehechiyanu is not made on them.

Shehechiyanu tables

The tables feature fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Explanation of the column "Means to extend sales time"

• Different varieties/cultivars: Using different cultivars of the same fruit that ripen during different seasons to prolong sales time.
• Different regions: Growing in different regions with different climates for sales during seasons when it is more difficult to otherwise cultivate the fruit.
• Nethouses/hothouses: Growing in nethouses and hothouses to extend sales time, primarily during the winter.
• Refrigeration/storage: Using refrigeration or storage for extending sales time.
• Import: Importing fruits and vegetables from abroad so produce will be available year-round.
• Pickling/roasting/canning: Picking, roasting, or canning to extend shelf life.
• Agrotech: Using agricultural techniques to impact on trees yielding fruit in different seasons.

Halachic guidelines for shehechiyanu on fruit[1] (Updated as of Tammuz 5778)

Halachic guidelines for shehechiyanu on vegetables. [29] Updated as of SIvan 5778

Halachic guidelines for shehechiyanu on various grains. Updated as of Sivan 5778

[1] This table was prepared following comprehensive research and is as precise as possible. If you find a mistake, please let us know. Send comments to: machonhat156@gmail.com

[2] Several ethnic groups eat almonds when they are still green, and they are not available in this form all year. Further investigation is necessary regarding to determine whether green almonds are considered "important fruit," similar to the discussion about carobs (Piskei Teshuva 225: 123).

[3] There is a very limited supply of avocado available in late summer as opposed to the rest of the year, but it seems that it is still available in major supermarkets.

[4] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[5] Blueberries are available all year long; they are grown in Israel during spring and summer and imported during fall and winter. They are only available in specialty stores, however, which is why it seems that one can say shehechiyanu on them. Preferably one should say the beracha on a new fruit grown in Israel in the early summer.

[6] With carob, it is possible that the older fruit is of a lesser quality than the new fruit. See, though, Piskei Teshuvot 225:123, who quotes many poskim that since the fruit is not considered important, it does not merit a shehechiyanu. See also Vezot Haberacha (18:5, p. 163) quotes poskim who hold that one should say shehechiyanu.

[7] Grapefruit, pomelo, oranges, and clementine (tangerine) are available year-round: fresh fruit is available from late summer through fall, and later on from special refrigeration. However, since the refrigerated fruit is used primarily for juice, and its reappearance on the market is noticeable, it seems that it is possible to say shehechiyanu.

[8] Coconut trees are tropical and produce all year round in its country of origin. Moreover, it is imported all year to various stores throughout Israel. For these reasons, it seems that it does not warrant a shehechiyanu. However, Vezot Haberacha (18:8, p. 162) notes that Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu writes that one should say shehechiyanu on coconuts on Tu BiShevat.

[9] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay. There are varieties of dates that do not keep in refrigeration, such as yellow Barhi dates, so one can be certain that they are new fruit and not refrigerated.

[10] See Mishna Berura §225:16 and Piskei Teshuvot §225:17. The Ben Ish Chai (Re'eh, 11) quotes the Peri Ha'adama that the prevalent custom in Jerusalem is to say shehechiyanu on an etrog on the second night of Rosh Hashana. The Ben Ish Chai adds that this blessing should be said only if one eats it before making a shehechiyanu on the arba minim.

[11] Table grapes are available nearly all year long. In the fall, grapes are available from refrigeration (especially red grapes), and in the winter from import. In any case, there is a period without green grapes on the market, and new produce is significantly different from old fruit. For this reason, it seems that it is possible to say shehechiyanu on green grapes, grown in Israel, in late winter. Perhaps it is better to say shehechiyanu on green grapes and exempt red grapes.

[12] Grapefruit, pomelo, oranges, and clementine are available year-round: fresh fruit is available from late summer through fall, and later on from special refrigeration. However, since the refrigerated fruit is used primarily for juice, and its reappearance on the market is noticeable, it seems that it is possible to say shehechiyanu.

[13] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[14] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[15] Kumquat trees yield fruit primarily from fall to spring. However, since it can yield fruit all year, it seems one should not say shehechiyanu.

[16] Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu writes that the custom was to say shehechiyanu on new olives (Vezot Haberacha, p. 163). See also Ashrei Ha'ish I §39:12.

[17] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[18] Grapefruit, pomelo, oranges, and clementine are available year-round: fresh fruit is available from late summer through fall, and later on from special refrigeration. However, since the refrigerated fruit is used primarily for juice, and its reappearance on the market is noticeable, it seems that it is possible to say shehechiyanu.

[19] It is more difficult to grow a winter crop of papaya, and often the fruit is of a lesser quality. However, since the fruit is available all year, it would not be considered seasonal. Moreover, imported fruit fills in the gaps and makes it possible to sell all year.

[20] Passionfruit plants bear fruit several times throughout the year. Although it is harder to find during some of the seasons, it seems that it is sold throughout Israel all year.

[21] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[22] Nashi pears are imported throughout the year, but it seems that they are scarcely imported throughout the spring and early summer. One should say a beracha on the new fruit grown in Israel in late summer, since it is certainly a new fruit.

[23] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[24] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[25] Grapefruit, pomelo, oranges, and clementine are available year-round: fresh fruit is available from late summer through fall, and later on from special refrigeration. However, since the refrigerated fruit is used primarily for juice, and its reappearance on the market is noticeable, it seems that it is possible to say shehechiyanu.

[26] Quince is generally imported most of the year, but it seems that during the spring and early summer only a very small quantity is imported. Once should make a shehechiyanu on a new fruit grown in Israel in late summer (not imported); at this time it is definitely a new fruit.

[27] There are various cultivars of sabra that yield at different seasons (generally during the summer). However, since certain cultivars were developed that yield all year (while there is less fruit in early spring), it seems that sabra fruit does not merit a shehechiyanu.

[28] This is the pesak of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevy Amichay.

[29] This table was prepared following comprehensive research as is as precise as possible. If you find a mistake, please let us know. Send comments to: machonhat156@gmail.com

[30] Artichoke is unavailable during the summer, so it can be defined as seasonal. In any case, there are poskim (primarily Ashkenazi) who require vegetables to be considered important to warrant a shehechiyanu, and artichoke might not be defined as such.

[31] Melon, like watermelon, is cultivated all year; in fall and winter it is grown in the Arava. However, it is more readily available than watermelon, so it seems difficult to define it as seasonal in terms of its availability in the supermarket. Note that a large percentage of melons are grafted onto pumpkin rootstocks in a forbidden manner, especially for melons at the beginning of the season (approximately 30% of all melons). For this reason, the poskim who hold that one should refrain from making a shehechiyanu on kila'im rule that no shehechiyanu should be made.

[32] Okra is unavailable in the spring. As noted with artichokes, there are poskim (primarily Ashkenazi) who require vegetables to be considered important to warrant a shehechiyanu, and okra might not be defined as such.

[33] Strawberries are sold also in spring and summer, grown in the North (the Golan in particular). Nevertheless, the main supermarkets still do not carry strawberries all year, and during the summer months, there are only certain cultivars available that seem to be of lesser quality.

[34] Watermelon is cultivated throughout the year; in fall and winter it is grown in the Arava. However, in main supermarket chains watermelon is rarely available during a significant part of fall and winter. When available, it is expensive and of lesser quality. For this reason, it is possible to say shehechiyanu on it. Note, though, that all watermelon at the beginning of the season, and approximately 80% of watermelon in general in Israel (as of 5778), are grafted in a forbidden manner onto pumpkin rootstocks. For this reason, some poskim maintain that one should refrain from making a shehechiyanu. (See Yabiya Omer [V §19] which permits making a shehechiyanu on grafted oranges. This needs further investigation, however, since grafted oranges are safek mino, and not certainly min shebe'eino mino. See also Peninei Halacha [Birkot Hahoda’a VehaSimcha §17], who permits saying shehechiyanu and notes that this is the prevalent custom).

[35] Corn on the cob is not available in late winter (in early winter it is available from refrigeration), however there is no significant difference in taste and appearance between corn on the cob and canned corn, which is why shehechiyanu is not warranted. Moreover, more investigation is necessary to determine whether it is considered an important vegetable (see notes on artichoke and okra); vacuum-packed, cooked corn on a cob is also imported from abroad. Note that many poskim hold that today corn on the cob not grown in insect-free conditions should not be eaten, since it is highly infested.