The Laws of the Blessing on Blossoming Fruit Trees

• When one sees blossoming fruit trees for the first time during the month of Nissan, one should say this blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁלֹּא חִסֵּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת לֵהָנוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם.

Transliteration: Baw-rooch ah-taw Ah-doh-noi Eh-loh-hei-noo meh-lech haw-oh-lawm sheh-loh chee-seir beh-oh-law-moh keh-loom oo-vaw-raw voh beh-ree-yohs toh-vohs veh-ee-law-nohs toh-vohs lei-haw-nohs baw-hem be-nei aw-dawm.

Translation: Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give mankind pleasure.

• This blessing is said just once a year—the first time that he sees it.1

• Although the ideal situation is for the blessing to be said during the month of Nissan, it would seem that post facto (bedi’eved), if one did not see the trees blossoming until the month of Iyar, it would be permitted to say the blessing.2

• One is permitted to say this blessing even on the Shabbat and on holidays.3

• Preferably, an effort should be made that the blessing be said when seeing two trees at one time. However, if there is only one tree, the blessing can still be said.4

• The blessing should not be said on trees which grow fruits that are grafted from two species.5

• In Australia and other countries of the southern hemishphere, where the trees blossom during the months of Elul and Tishrei, the blessing can be said at that time.6

FOOTNOTES
1.	There are a number of authorities, including Eliyah Rabbah, who say that if one did not say the blessing the first time, it can still be said when seeing it the second time. However, the Alter Rebbe does not agree. According to his view, if one missed the opportunity the first time that he saw it, he cannot say it again during that year.
2.	Seder Birchas HaNehenin 13:14; Ketzos HaShulchan 66:9; Badei HaShulchan 69:18.
3.	Nit’ei Gavriel, Pesach 6:7.
4.	Badei HaShulchan 69:18.
5.	Nit’ei Gavriel, Pesach 6:13.
6.	Nit’ei Gavriel, quoting Minchas Yitzchak 10:16.

By Eliezer Wenger

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March 28, 2012

splitting heirs

I think, G_d quite honestly, wants us to feel the beauty, in all this blossoming, that is this world, and to treat with love, respect, dignity, all that blossoms, including all creativity, including the growth of a child, including the small acts of graciousness we provide in our daily lives. I feel a vibrant universe, that springs into life, into vivacity, into that recognition that is so much about the journey, and so I don't think Leopold BLOOM, a name so well chosen by James Joyce is at all random, and I see a universe of connectivity that is wise, and entirely wonderfully ONE, and wht's WON in this apperception brings me to my knees, each and every day, in these the "daze" of my life. So this is my Book of Ruth, my very own, personal and privileged book of Splendour, as in, Splendor in the Grass.

ruth housman
marshfield , ma

March 27, 2012

Non Fruit Tree

According to most of the Halachic authorities, the Bracha should specifically be made on fruit trees. If, however, one has already made the bracha, accidentally, on a non-fruit tree, one would seemingly not make another blesing upon seeing a blossoming fruit tree. (See responsa of Rabbi Shmuel Wosner, Shevet Halevi vol. 6 at the conclusion of entry #53)

Baruch Davidson
NYC

March 26, 2012

non-fruit tree

I said it on a blossoming non-fruit tree. Should I say it again on a fruit tree with Hashem's name?

levi
brooklyn, ny

June 5, 2011

splitting hairs

I find it so interesting that so much time is spent on when and what to bless. I would think G_d appreciates any and all blessings. It seems everyone is so afraid of making a "mistake".

We are all "heir" to the beauty that surrounds us and offering up a blessing is never a problem, I truly believe, for what is Divine. But then again, there are people who feel it's so important to make these distinctions. I honestly do not believe this is what is important.

Maybe so many rules are meant to be pondered as to why they make sense, and what gets to be, too much time, pondering instead of praising.

ruth housman
marshfield hills, ma

June 1, 2011

Tomatoes and bushes do not qualify. The trees need to bear fruit that require a bore peri HaEtz.

There should be only blossoms and no fruit starting on the tree. Best said on twqo fruit trees of a different species

Shmuel Yaakov

April 7, 2011

Re: blossoming trees

The Blessing is recited only when the flowers of the tree bloom, not when just the leaves started to grow.

The Blessing should be recited on a tree which grows edible fruits.

While there are a number of opinions as to whether the blessing has to be said specifically in the month of Nissan, Chabad custom as per the Shulchan Aruch Harav in his final ruling (See Seder Birchas Hanenin 13:14 and Shaar Halacha Uminhag vol. 1 p. 220) is to only recite it in the month of nissan.

For some insight on this blessing see The Annual Blessing Over Trees and Hidden Fruit.

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org

April 6, 2011

blossom trees

Thank you for this heads up. Could you be more specific on what is called blossoming regarding this law; and also are there any requirements as to what type of tree or fruit, Also, does this apply to bushes (like tomatoes) and plants (these days they have bushes that grow tomatoes).Also, are there any things people call (fruits) that don't count." Also, are there any thoughts or lesson we can learn from this; also we only fruit,what about vegetables? (when you think about it ANYTHING that grows is pretty miraculous. Sorry for so many questions

larry moskowitz
passaic, nj

April 6, 2011

seeing blossoms in adar

if the first time you see the blossoms is in adar - do you say the bracha then- or wait for the first time in nissan?

Anonymous
israel

April 6, 2011

bracha

Can the blessing on blossoming of fruit trees be said after you have seen many trees...but were unaware there was a specific blessing. Regardless if I am able to say the blessing, I am blessed seeing the blossoms every year & next year I will say the Blessing!

Toni Schmit
Fairfield, CA/USA

April 5, 2011

what one should and should not do

I am often overwhelmed by the beauty of spring blossoming. The world comes to life again, in a new way. In winter we have the white blossoms of snow, and in spring the myriad colors, and the lime greens, and all the greens of so many, many shades. We feel energized. We feel such love. Beauty and the fragrances of spring, are a heady bouquet.

I love, and I love deeply. And yes, I often have the impulse to hug a tree, and kiss a rose in passing, and I love the velvet whimsy of those little pansy faces.

If I feel love, then whatever I do is fine, in terms of that expression. It's all a blessing, and I don't think we need to differentiate, whether it is a plant that is grafted or not, as long as it is grafted into our hearts, that love, love itself, the passion of that love, is THE blessing above all blessings.

That's where I am, and I know others who feel the same. Life itself is a garden., Tend to it tenderly and it will flourish all the days of your life and that life within you.

ruth housman
marshfield hills, ma

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