The Gemara in Masechet Berachot, Daf 36 says that ‘Kilpe Egozzim’ (shells of nuts) and pits are subject to the laws of ‘Orla’. ‘Orla’ refers to the prohibition of eating from a fruit tree within its first 3 bearing years. This includes the fruit itself, the seeds, peel, skin and outer protective shell of the fruit.
The Tosafot (commentary compiled by Rashi's students and their disciples) ascertained from this what the Beracha Rishona should be for fruit pits and/or seeds. They hold that since pits and seeds are equal to its fruit when it comes to Orla, therefore the pits and seeds are considered equal in its status and ruling by Beracha Rishona. So according to the Tosafot, one would make Bore Peri HaEtz on an apple pit just as he would make Bore Peri HaEtz on the apple itself.
The Rashba (Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet, 1235-1310) however argues on the opinion of Tosafot. The Rashba holds that although Orla applies to the primary part of the fruit and to the secondary part of the fruit, it however is not equal when it comes to the Beracha Rishona. The Rashba holds that the secondary parts, which are the pits and seeds, are considered a downgrade from the primary fruit, and as such its Beracha is downgraded one level. When eating a fruit from the ground, one would say ‘Bore Peri Ha’Adama’ on the primary fruit, but when eating its pits one would say ‘Shehakol Nehiye Bidvaro.’ This is according to the Rashba.
So we have a Machloket here between the Rishonim, as to how to classify pits that come from a fruit. According to the Tosafot, it’s the Beracha of the fruit. According to the Rashba it is downgraded one notch.
This question has relevancy for us today, for we eat a seed known as ‘Bizit.’ This is pumpkin seeds. According to the Tosafot the Beracha on Bizit should be ‘Bore Peri Ha’Adama’. But according to the Rashba, seeds are considered a downgrade from the pumpkin’s Adama, and the seeds are thus ‘Shehakol Nehiye Bidvaro.’ Halacha allows either option. We mentioned this before in a Daily Halacha entitled "What is the Beracha on Tehine, Humus, and Halava?" Those who make ‘Shehakol’ on the Bizit have what to rely on based on the Rashba. And those who say ‘Adama’ have what to rely on based on the Tosafot.
Even though one can say either Beracha on Bizit, it is however more proper, Lechatchila to say ‘Bore Peri Ha’Adama.’ Today, Bizit are mostly grown in specially nurtured pumpkins developed specifically to yield Bizit. This means that the Bizit is really the primary food. So, if the Rashba himself would have been subject to sunflower seeds as it is grown today, he probably would have not ruled the way he had. He would have seen that Bizit are primary and as such would have agreed to keep the Beracha the same, and not downgrade a notch.
Again, Lechatchila, one should make ‘Bore Peri Ha’Adama’ on Bizit (pumpkin seeds), and if one makes a Shehakol, he definitely has what to rely on.
