All About the Special Blessing for a Blossoming Tree!
As a child I did not know about the special blessing for a blossoming tree. Our Sages relate that it should ideally be recited strictly in the Jewish month of Nissan.[i] And so, I’d like to present a brief overview on this special blessing so that many Jews around the world can recite this unique blessing.
Indeed, Jewish law states that any man or woman[ii] who sees fruit trees that are in the beginning stages of blooming, recites the following blessing:
Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Shelo Chisar B’Olamo Klum U’Vara Vo Beriyos Tovos V’Ilanos Tovos[iii] Lehanos Bahem Bnei Adam.
Blessed are You Hashem, Our G-d, Master of the Universe, who ensured that nothing is lacking in His world and Created in it good creations and good trees in order to pleasure mankind with them.
Ideally, this blessing should be said on two or more trees. That said, if one lives in a city or is not able to go to an orchard or a field, a person may still recite this blessing on one tree. Some people have the custom after reciting the blessing to recite Tehillim and other texts praising Hashem for the trees. Others try to say this blessing with a group. It follows that others even have the custom to give Tzedakah prior to this blessing.[iv]
Once one has said this blessing—that’s it—you are done for the year! Additionally, our Sages are of the opinion that the preferred time to recite this blessing is during the daytime.[v]
What’s more, the special blessing on seeing a blossoming tree should not be recited on Shabbos, as our Sages were worried that it may lead one to touch the tree and/or pluck a branch. However, if Shabbos happens to be the final opportunity to recite the blessing, many Rabbis are of the opinion that one may nevertheless recite the blessing.[vi]
Please note, the blessing on seeing a blossoming tree is only recited on a) fruit tree, and b) only when the bud/flower can be seen in the early stages of blooming, and c) not on a tree where strictly leaves are seen and d) not on a tree where the fruit has already completely developed.[vii]
From a mystical perspective, one should realize that by reciting this blessing, a person is able to achieve a tikkun, a spiritual rectification, for the souls that are hovering between Heaven and Earth. Indeed, there may in fact be reincarnated souls that are stuck in the bark of tree! Hence, when saying this blessing one should have in mind that Hashem evoke mercy upon hovering souls, and by extension allow them to fully blossom by returning to Heaven.[viii]
The pictures in this post are of the sign that both my wife and I used this year to recite this blessing on: Rosh Chodesh Nissan 2011. I’m pleased that my son will learn of this blessing at his school. In fact, they are going on a field trip to recite this blessing for the blossoming tree!
If you’d like to make this special blessing a family affair, there is even a great kids book available called: Growing with the Tree.
All things considered, if you have not said this special blessing for a blossoming tree yet, I encourage you to try and do so sooner rather than later.
Why?
This year, was a leap year and we find ourselves well into the blooming season of the trees! Take your family out and say thanks to Hashem in this most unique fashion!
[i] See Shulchan Aruch 226:1 and Mishna Berura S”K 1. See also Aishel Avraham Butshatsh who is of the opinion that only in the month of Nissan may the blessing be recited with the complete recital of Hashem’s name. However, the prevalent custom is to recite the blessing, as long as the tree is still in the blooming stage—even if this is past Nissan. See Chayei Adam Klal 63:2 and Aruch HaShulchan 226:1 who discuss scenarios in which one finds themselves in a climate where the blooming season is not in Nissan (i.e. Australia or South Africa).
[ii] See Shu”t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim 1:118 and Shu”t Tzitz Eliezer 12:25 for the reason as to why this blessing isn’t considered a Mitzvah She’Hazman Grama, as it is seemingly a time-bound Mitzvah.
[iii] See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 60:1 who mentions that the word should be “Tovim.”
[iv] See Kaf HaChaim 226:7 and 8. See also Shu”t Minchas Yitzchak 10:16.
[v] Mishnah Berura 226:3. See also Shu”t Har Tzvi ibid and Shu”t Tzitz Eliezer 12:20:6.
[vi] See Kaf HaChaim 226:4, Shu”t B’Tzel HaChachma 6:37, Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso 26:72 and Shu”t Yechaveh Daas 1:2.
[vii] Mishna Berurah 226:2 and 4.
[viii] See Shu”t Teshuvos V’Hanhagos 1:191 and Kaf HaChaim 226:8. Also see Kaf HaChaim 226:4 who relates that the reason this blessing should not be recited on Shabbos, is because one cannot perform, “Borer.” After all, by reciting this blessing one would be separating the sparks of holiness in the form of the Souls that are stuck within the trees.
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Awesome post!
Loves the last footnote - the kaf Hachaim and borrer… sometimes i just wish i was a Sfardi too…
Rabbi Shoff,
As an avid reader of your weekly words on the Torah portion, I understand quite well why you enjoyed that footnote
!
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