This sheet serves as an introduction to Mishna Berachot Chapter 1, Mishna 1. It will help to explain differences between fruits and vegetables according to scientists and according to Halacha.
I would love to know what age group you have in mind, and where this might fit into a curriculum.
Ages 9-10. basically 5th grade. I would use it as an introduction to this Mishna to help them understand that the halacha doesn't necessarily define fruits & vegetables in the manner that we are used to. This will make it easier for them to learn when to make which brachot on fruits/vegetables.
(א) כֵּיצַד מְבָרְכִין עַל הַפֵּרוֹת. עַל פֵּרוֹת הָאִילָן אוֹמֵר, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ, חוּץ מִן הַיַּיִן, שֶׁעַל הַיַּיִן אוֹמֵר בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן. וְעַל פֵּרוֹת הָאָרֶץ אוֹמֵר בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה, חוּץ מִן הַפַּת, שֶׁעַל הַפַּת הוּא אוֹמֵר הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ. וְעַל הַיְרָקוֹת אוֹמֵר בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי דְשָׁאִים:
(1) How does one recite blessings for fruits? On fruits growing on a tree, one says, "...Who created the fruit of the tree," except for wine; on wine, one says, "...Who created the fruit of the vine." On fruits growing from the earth, one says, "...Who created the fruit of the ground," except for bread; on bread, one says, "...Who brings forth bread from the earth." On vegetables, one says, "...Who created the fruit of the ground." Rabbi Yehudah says: [One should say instead,] "...Who created various types of herbs."
(א) כיצד מברכין. חוץ מן היין. שמתוך חשיבותו קבעו לו ברכה לעצמו. וכן הפת:
Would you translate this for the students, or would they be expected to understand?
No, I would not expect them to know the translations. We would translate it together as a class (i would ask who knows what _____ means?). I am afraid if I were to just include the translation, they would ignore the original text and not work to translate it. Then they would never become independent learners.
Watch this short 4 minute video to see how scientists differentiate between fruits and vegetables. Then we will discuss the differences according to the halacha!
I love this!!
Read this website to see when the halacha says a food is a fruit or a vegetable:
https://www.ou.org/torah/halacha/halacha-lmaaseh/borei-pri-haeitz-and-borei-pri-haadama/
I suggest adding this last piece as a comment, or an English-only text, so that it doesn't look like it's all in one column.
This is a great sheet!
Thank you!
What do you mean by your last comment - how can I add it as a comment or an English-only text?