Berachot 37: Prayers Over Grains; Halacha Follows the Opinion of the Many

Today we continue yesterday's discussion about which blessings we say over grains and when we say those blessings.  The rabbis consider five grains to be fundamental.  Wheat, millet and rice are discussed first.  We witness the rabbis' debates about which blessings should be said over the consumption of which grains.  Of course, this brings up the question of how we eat grains differently on Pesach.  The rabbis determine that these three grains certainly will rise under the right circumstances.

In some circumstances one is required to say blessings both before and after consuming these grains.  At other times one should say three abridged blessings from the birkat hamazon, the grace after meals.  We are told that Tosefta state a principal: Rabban Gamliel teaches that over any of the seven grains and fruits for which Israel is praised, one should recite those three abridged prayers from the birkat hamazon.  The rabbis say that only one prayer from those three is required.  

Rabbi Akiva says the one abridged prayer after he and Rabban Gamliel eat dates.  Rabban Gamliel becomes upset, asking Akiva why he continually sticks his head into the debate.  Rabbi Akiva reminded Gamliel gently that in fact there is a principle taught by Gamliel himself: the halacha is accordance with the many.

The rabbis also discuss manufacturing, whether that ends in bread or another edible preparation of grains.  They might be in pieces, in parts, in crumbs or in "Indian bread", which seems to be a mixture of water a bread.  The rabbis discuss how grains are ground, soaked, boiled or broiled, baked or otherwise prepared.  Any part of this process might change the status of the grain and thus the prayers that we recite.