I won't forget you even when I eat! TB Berachot 41

Today’s daf TB Berachot 41 examines in great detail the disagreement between Rabbi Yehuda and the Sages in the Mishnah found on the preceding daf TB Berachot 40b. “If there were many types of food before him, over which food should he recite a blessing first? Rabbi Yehuda says: If there is one of the seven species for which Eretz Yisrael was praised among them, he recites the first blessing over it. And the Rabbis say: He recites a blessing over whichever of them he wants.”  (Sefaria.org translation) The seven species are enumerated in Deuteronomy 8:8 “a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey”

On our daf Ulla contextualizes the disagreement between Rabbi Yehuda and the Sages. When one of two of the fruits is one of the seven species, Rabbi Yehuda says that a person says the blessing over the seven species first. The Sages say that a person recites the blessing the preferred fruit first. If different blessings are recited over the two foods, both Rabbi Yehuda and the Sages agree that must recite both blessings. Another Amora contextualizes this disagreement differently. He states that even when their blessings are not identical, there is also a dispute.

The Gemara complicates the issue with other considerations which I am not going to discuss, but you may read on your own at https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.41a.5?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en. Different poskim decide what is the halacha according to the two different approaches found in our Gemara.

 The Rosh (Asher ben Yeciel, 1250 or 1259-1327, was an eminent rabbi and Talmudist best known for his abstract of Talmudic law. He is often referred to as Rebbenu Asher or by the Hebrew acronym for this title, the Rosh, רא''ש literally “Head”) decides that the halacha is according to Rabbi Yehuda. When fruits blessings are the same, one blesses on the fruit of the seven species. If neither of the two foods are from the seven species one may bless and whichever he prefers. If the blessings are not the same, the person may choose whichever foodstuff is preferable.

Rambam (Moses  ben Maimn, commonly known as Maimonides and also referred by the acronym  Rambam, 1138-1204, was a medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher who became one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars of the Middle Ages. In his time, he was also a preeminent astronomer and physician) decides the halacha according to the Sages i.e. whichever is preferable comes first. If both are equally desirable, he recites the blessing over the fruit from the seven species.

The Shulchan Aruch allows the person to choose whichever approach he likes better. (Orach Hayyim 211:11)

We have many reminders in our daily life that connects us to Israel no matter where we live. Whether in the synagogue or at home, we always face Israel as we daven. Our prayers are full longing for our return to Israel. The conclusion of the blessing before the morning Shema begins, “Bring us back in peace from the four quarters of the earth and leaders upright to our land.” Many of our homes are adorned with artwork by Israeli artists or scenes depicting different sites in Israel. Yotam Ottlengheti and Sami Tamini’s cookbook Jerusalem: a Cookbook is a bestseller. In that light I would decide in favor of Rabbi Yehuda approach and always recite the blessing over the land of Israel’s seven species first and never forget Zion even when we eat.