Monday, April 7, 2008

Halocho #89 - Bless the blossoms

Nissan is the time of year when trees start to blossom (in the Northern hemisphere). The first time a year that one sees edible fruit trees blossoming one says:
ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם - Blessed are you Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, שלא חיסר בעולמו כלום - for nothing is lacking in His universe, וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובים - and He created in it good creatures and good trees, ליהנות בהם בני אדם - to cause mankind pleasure with them.
Once the flowers have fallen off and the fruit is visible then one can no longer say this Brocho. One only makes this Brocho once a year. It's an ancient custom to provide the needy with money for their Pessach needs, during the early part of Nissan, up and above ones regular charity contributions. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 226:1, 429:1
- Danny
2 Nissan 5768

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