Q. Is there a Machlokes about whether the brocho on papaya is HoEitz or HoAdomo?
What brocho do you make on okra”
A. 1) On question 1094 regarding the Brocho on papaya we wrote: “The Papaya looks like a tree, it may grow ten feet tall or more, lasts for several years and produces an annual crop like a tree and has all the qualifications of a tree as determined by Chazal. However it lacks some key botanical features of a tree and exhibits properties of a “Yerek”. It bears closer similarity in many ways to a very tall stalk, since unlike a tree its stem is completely hollow on the inside and it does not usually produce branches. Its leaves and fruits grow directly on the top of the main stem, and it usually produces fruit during the first year, unlike most trees.
Since the papaya has some tree-like features and some vegetable-like features, Poskim disagree as to what is the proper brocho to be recited. Most Poskim follow Rav Pe’alim (O.H. 2: 30,) rule that papaya is not a tree and that the appropriate bracha is ha’adama. So does the Ridvaz (3: 531,) Kaf HaChaim (203: 13),Yechaveh Daas (4:52), Mekor HaBerachah, VeTein Berachah, (p.395,) Teshuvos VeHanhagos (3: 333) and Pischei Halacha. They offer different arguments or do so out doubt which is the correct brocho.
Other Poskim (Shevet Halevi 6: 165, Mishpetei Aretz, p. 27, Miperi Haaretz – quoting Horav Elyashiv zt”l) maintain that the brocho is haetz, so does too the OU website.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion concurs with the majorities view of reciting ha’adama, since we are stringent on doubtful brochos.
2) Okra or Okro (Abelmoschus esculentus), is known in many English-speaking countries as ladies’ fingers is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods.
The species is a perennial, often cultivated as an annual in temperate climates, often growing to around 2 m. it is related to such species as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus. The fruit is a capsule up to 18 cm. (7.1 in) long with pentagonal cross-section, containing numerous seeds.
Vesen Brocho (p. 396) rules that the Brocho is Adama.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a.