Brakha on chocolate

Asked by Alexander Seinfeld · December 30, 2003 · Blessings

Question

The Rav poskined that chocolate needs a "ha-aytz" bracha because it comes from a tree. However, the chocolate that we eat is a mixture of sugar and chocolate, and sugar appears to be the ikar; at the very least, sugar makes the chocolate edible. In either case, then, shouldn't we make a shehakol on chocolate? Please explain. Furthermore, one could argue that the proper bracha on orange juice from Florida is "ha-aytz" and tofu is "ha-adama". Nonetheless, klal Yisroel are noheg to say "shehakol" on both; would this not be an additional reason for making shehakol on chocolate? Please elaborate.

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Look at the Teshuva (Responsa) in Rav Shlomo Zalman's Sefer. I assume that my father has one in his Sefer, too. "Klal Yisrael Noheg" is not a justification for everything. When you go to the store to buy a chocolate bar, do you look for a "sugar bar?" Would you buy a "sugar bar?" Chocolate is the main ingredient here. AA