© 2008
Four different blessings said upon enjoying
the aroma of trees and flowers.
based on research by Rabbi Dov Lev
We’ve all heard the expression, “Stop and smell the roses.” In other words,
take time out to appreciate the beauty of God’s creations, particularly in the
realm of smell. The Sages understood the importance of this, and ordained
a special set of blessings that give us the opportunity to praise God’s having
“perfumed the world.”1
What is so special about the sense of smell?
We use the senses of taste, touch and sight to perceive physical matter.
Even "hearing" involves the perception of sound waves. But smell is the
most spiritual of senses, with the least physical matter involved. As the
1
More information on these blessings can be found in Rabbi Hanoch Slatin’s Re’iach HaSadeh: The Fragrant Field
(Feldheim).
1
Talmud says: "Smell is that which the soul benefits from, and the body does
not."2
There's truth to common expressions like, "He has a good nose for
business," and "Something doesn't smell right." Smell is intangible, yet very
intuitive. The Talmud says that when the Messiah comes, he will "smell and
judge" – that is, he will use his spiritual sensitivity to determine complex
truths.3 Indeed, the nose knows!
Basic Guidelines
There are four different blessings
said upon enjoying the aroma of
trees and flowers.4 Before getting to
the specific blessings, let’s start with
some general guidelines:
• The blessing is said before
smelling the item (just as a blessing over food is said before eating it).5 If
you are not sure whether the fragrance is strong enough or enjoyable, you
can smell it first to check, and then smell it again with a bracha.6
• A blessing may be said only on an aroma which is appreciated by the one
doing the smelling. Therefore a bracha may not be said by someone who
does not enjoy that particular aroma, or who has a poor sense of smell or a
stuffed nose.7
• Recall in class #26 how we learned about the concept of hesech hada'at,
an interruption which terminates the effectiveness of your bracha. A similar
idea applies to blessings over fragrances: You should recite a new bracha
on a subsequent smelling, even many times a day.8
• These blessings are also recited on a derived product – e.g. perfume.9
2
Talmud – Brachot 43b
Talmud – Sanhedrin 93b, with Rashi – s.v. Rava
4
Orach Chaim 216:1. There is actually a fifth blessing, said only on fragrant balsam oil.
3
5
Orach Chaim 216:1
Kaf HaChaim (OC 216:3)
7
Kaf HaChaim (OC 216:3)
6
8
9
Orach Chaim 217:1, with Mishnah Berurah 4 and Sha’ar Hatziyun 10
V’Zot HaBracha, pg. 181, citing Rabbi C.P. Scheinberg
2
Now let’s talk about the four specific blessings:
Type 1 – Fragrant Wood
A blessing is recited upon deriving pleasure from the fragrance of a woody
tree or bush (or their products)10 that meets all three conditions:
a) It grows with bark.
b) The bark-covered stem/trunk normally grows to a height of more
than approximately 10 inches (24 cm). This would exclude, for
example, mint.
c) It normally produces leaves directly from the stem, trunk or
branches – not just from the fruit or flowers.11
Included in this category are roses, myrtle, rosemary, jasmine, and citrus
blossoms.12
10
Orach Chaim 216:2
11
Mishnah Berurah 216:6, Biur Halacha – s.v. Atzei; Orach Chaim 203:2
V’Zot HaBracha 19:1
12
3
Type 2 – Fragrant Plants
If the fragrance comes from a grass or herbaceous plant, the blessing
“Borei Isvei Vi’samim” is recited.13
Examples in this category are mint, hyacinth and honeysuckle.14
Type 3 – Fragrant Fruits
What about fragrant fruits and vegetables – like oranges, strawberries,
melons, mango and guava?15 Nowadays, most fruits and vegetables do not
emit a strong enough aroma to warrant a bracha.16 But if these three
conditions are fulfilled, then you would recite the blessing:17
a) It has a particularly strong and enjoyable fruit or vegetable
fragrance (perhaps a large quantity together will emit such a strong
fragrance).18
13
Orach Chaim 216:2
Due to doubt, one should avoid picking up fresh bread to smell it (Rema – Orach Chaim 216:14, with Sha’ar Hatziyun
46).
14
15
During the week of Sukkot, an etrog should preferably not be smelled, since it has been “set aside” especially for a
mitzvah use (Orach Chaim 216:14).
16
V’Zot HaBracha 19:2
17
18
Orach Chaim 216:2
V’Zot HaBracha 19:2
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b) It is primarily consumed as a food, and not as a spice such as
cinnamon.19
c) You pick it up for the purpose of smelling it, rather than simply to
eat it.20
Type 4 – Miscellaneous Fragrances
What if you are enjoying a delicious natural fragrance, but it doesn’t fit into
any of the other categories, or you simply cannot determine which blessing
to say? There is an all-inclusive blessing which may be recited over any
good aroma.21
Examples in this category are cloves,22 cinnamon, and ground coffee.23
19
20
Sha’ar HaTziyun 216:12
Orach Chaim 216:2. If you also want to eat it, Mishnah Berurah (216:10) advises to first eat it with the intention not to
benefit from the smell, and then to say another blessing on the smell.
Orach Chaim 216:2, with Mishnah Berurah 16
22
Mishnah Berurah 216:16; however, Orach Chaim 216:2 rules that cloves get the same blessing as for fragrant fruits.
21
23
Mishnah Berurah 216:16; however, Kaf HaChaim 216:86 disagrees. Either way, a bracha is not said on instant coffee
(V’Zot HaBracha 19:2).
5
Springtime Blossom
Finally, let’s talk about one more blessing that involves vegetation, but is
based on seeing, not smelling. Who doesn’t marvel at the site of bright
pink blossoms beginning to peek out from under the leaves of an apple
tree.
Upon the first sighting of the new blossoms of fruit trees in the month of
Nissan (springtime), a special blessing is recited.24 This is known in Hebrew
as “Birkat Ha-Ilan, the blessing of the tree.
Some say that, ideally, the bracha should be recited upon seeing multiple
qualifying trees.25
If the bracha was not recited upon the first sighting, it can be said upon
subsequent sightings of the new blossoms.26 Some say that the bracha may
be recited with God’s name only during the month of Nissan.27 In any case,
it may only be recited once a year.28
24
Orach Chaim 226:1
Kaf HaChaim 225:2; however, Mishnah Berurah implies this is unnecessary
26
Halichot Shlomo, pg. 289
25
27
28
Kaf HaChaim (OC 225:1)
Orach Chaim 226:1
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This bracha may be recited on Shabbat and holidays.29
Why does the text of this blessing refers to “good creatures” as well as
“good trees?” When we see how the tree was dry and withered during the
winter and is now in full bloom, we are revitalized. When we watch the
transformation of nature, we gain the courage and inspiration to lift out of
our despair, and it reminds us that God provides us the tools to renew
ourselves. This also gives us confidence that a God who can bring blossoms
to a barren tree can also bring our longed-for era of redemption.30
Quick Review
29
Type of fragrance:
Concluding words of the bracha:
wood
borei atzei vi’såmim
plant
borei isvei vi’såmim
fruit
ha’notein ray’ach tov ba’pay’rote
miscellaneous
borei minei vi’såmim
Shu”t Yechaveh Da’at 1:2. However, Kaf Hachaim (OC 225:4) forbids saying the bracha on Shabbat and Yom Tov;
Halichot Shlomo 289 (121).
30
Sharon First in the New Jersey Jewish Standard, citing Ben Ish Chai
7