Al Hamichya Question

Why do we only modify the conclusion of Al Hamichya for wine or fruits that originated in Eretz Yisrael but not when eating mezonot products that originate from Eretz Yisrael?

Shalom! 

Thank you for your question. 

Allow me to begin with some introduction for the benefit of readers. One must recite the me’ein shalosh blessing, better known as al hamichya, after drinking wine, eating mezonot products, or eating any of the fruits that the Torah associates with Eretz Yisrael. The conclusion of the al hamichya blessing after drinking wine is “al ha’aretz v’al pri hagafen” (for the land and for the fruit of the vine), after eating mezonot it is “al ha’aretz v’al hamichya” (for the land and for the nourishment), and after eating fancy fruits it is “al ha’aretz v’al hapeirot” (for the land and for the fruit). If one ate mezonot food and drank wine, and the like, only one me’ein shalosh is recited, and the appropriate insertions are combined into one. 

If the wine or fruit that one has eaten is from Eretz Yisrael, the concluding blessing is changed slightly in order to reflect this and to thereby praise the Land. In such a situation, the blessing after drinking wine is changed to “al ha’aretz v’al pri gafna” (for the land and for the fruit of its vine) and after the fancy fruits it is “al ha’aretz v’al peroteiha” (for the land and for its fruit). 

However, as you correctly note, there is an inconsistency here. Why is it that we only modify the conclusion of the blessing when drinking wine or eating fruits that originated in Eretz Yisrael? Why isn’t it also modified when eating mezonot products that originate from Eretz Yisrael? Perhaps we should conclude with the words “al ha’aretz v’al michyata” (for the land and for its nourishment)? 

One of the answers offered for this inconsistency is that only the fruits and wine of Eretz Yisrael are superior in quality and taste to those of chutz la’aretz. The wheat, flour, and other similar produce of Eretz Yisrael, however, do not have any distinction or superiority over those in chutz la’aretz. 

Another answer offered is that it is only in Eretz Yisrael that all seven of the “Loand of Israel” fruits are indigenous. Although one can find one or more of these seven fruits growing in other countries, the seven are all only native to Eretz Yisrael. Therefore, it is only for these specific items that we change the conclusion of the me’ein shalosh blessing in order to reflect this unique feature. 

It is also noted that mezonot foods cannot be eaten raw in their natural state. In order to enjoy a baked product, much time and effort must be invested. The fancy fruits of Eretz Yisrael, however, can be eaten in their raw, natural state and require no further processing in order to enjoy them. To remind us of this unique feature, it is only the fancy fruits of Eretz Yisrael that merit to have their concluding blessing modified. 

One who forgets to modify the wording of the concluding blessing after eating fancy fruits or wines from Eretz Yisrael has nevertheless discharged his or her obligation. There is no need to repeat the blessing. 

OC 208:10;

Although the above represents universal Ashkenazi practice, there are a number of Sephardic authorities rule that one should indeed change the conclusion of al hamichya when eating mezonot foods that originate in Eretz Yisrael, and some Sephardim do so accordingly. See for example Birkei Yosef, OC 208:10; Kaf Hachaim, OC 208:10.