Q. Before eating rice cakes, does one make Borei Pri HoAdama or Mezonos (because the pieces are stuck together)?
A. Poskim disagree as to the first brocho on rice cakes. Many maintain that since they are produced by applying hot air, steam, and pressure to rice grains until they pop, but are not cooked or baked, the brocho should be Hoadomo. (Ohr l'Tziyon 2: 14:21; Harav S.Z. Auerbach, Harav C.P. Scheinberg, Harav M. Shternbuch, quoted in Vezos ha-Berachah, pg. 108 and in Vesein Berachah, pg. 520.)
Other Poskim rule that Mezonos is correct since the pieces are stuck together (Be'er Moshe 5:54, Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, Harav Y.S. Elyashiv, zt'l (quoted in Vesein Berachah, pg. 520.)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that Mezonos is correct, however after the fact Hoadomo is acceptable.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
