Time for Birkas Ha’illanos

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fruit-treeRosh Chodesh Nissan, this Shabbos, marks the beginning of the season for Birkas Ha’Ilanos – the blessing we recite once a year upon seeing fruit trees in bloom. Men, women and children should make this beracha. The beracha may only be said upon seeing the flower bloom that precedes the growth of the fruit.

In a leap year, when trees may begin to bloom in Adar (particularly in Eretz Yisroel), or in locations where Spring takes place in Elul or Tishrei (e.g. Australia, Argentina, Brazil) the beracha may be said in those months.

The text of the beracha is as follows: Boruch ata Hashem Elokeinu melech haolam shelo chisar b’olamo klum, uvara vo beriyos tovos v’ilanos tovim lehanos bahem b’nei adam.

Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 226:1, Kaf Hachaim 226, Moed L’chol Chai 1:6, S’V Har Tzvi 226, Shulchan Hatahor 226, Sdei Chemed Vol. 2, Maareches Berachos pg. 265

3060. If one did not make the beracha timely in Nissan because one did not see a fruit tree in bloom, one may bi’dieved make the beracha until such time that the fruit of the tree has not yet ripened. However, if one did see a blooming fruit tree in Nissan and neglected to make the beracha, one may only make the beracha until the fruit begins to grow.

The beracha should not be said on Shabbos unless it is the last day of the month of Nissan and one has not yet made the beracha.

Before the blessing is recited some have the minhag to say V’yehi Noam (last posuk of Tehillim 90) followed by Hallelukah hallelu Keil min ha-shamayim (Tehillim 148). The beracha should preferably be said with a minyan of men (with a kaddish following), but it may be said individually too.

The Chida writes that one should especially concentrate when saying this beracha because it is misakain (repairs) the neshamos that have been sent back to this world in the trees and plants, and one has the opportunity to ask for mercy on these souls at this time.

(Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 226:1, Kaf Hachaim 226, Moed L’chol Chai 1:6, S’V Har Tzvi 226, Shulchan Hatahor 226, Sdei Chemed Vol. 2, Maareches Berachos pg. 265)

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6 COMMENTS

  1. The Bracha must be said on a blooming tree that bears fruit. In the Northeastern U.S. there are flowering cherry trees,crabapple trees & pear trees, that have been cultivated to produce beautiful blossoms, but they do not produce edible fruit. The famous Washington D.C. cherry trees, a gift from Japan to the U.S., are an example. This species can be seen all over Brooklyn too. Before reciting the Bracha, make sure that the tree actually bears fruit!

  2. If one is traveling in the Richboro area of Bucks County PA, there is a peach tree in front of the Community Torah Center of Bucks County (www.JewishBucks.org) located at 9 Surrey Drive in Churchville, PA.

    They love when people use their tree to make the Bracha!

  3. i know the people who live at 9 surrey drive. they are truly exceptional people. if u get stuck soaking in the beauty of the tree on erev shabbos and it gets too late for u 2 get 2 ur destination, walk right in to their home. they will be more than happy to host u and ur family 4 shabbos.

  4. They are very special people , it is well known that the family that lives at 9 surrey drive are BIG machnisai oreich you can always expect great CAKE. i wonder if that’s why the family is known as FRUIT CAKES !

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