As we mentioned, in the Southern Hemisphere, in Nissan, the summer has just ended, and the fall is beginning, so the bracha should be recited Sukkos time, which is the beginning of the spring.
There is a fascinating question that is discussed in regard to one who lives in the Southern Hemisphere and recited the bracha at the beginning of the spring there and then comes to the Northern Hemisphere for Pesach, which is our springtime. Should such a person recite the bracha again, a mere six months after he recited the bracha down south? The Lihoros Nasan discusses this very question and proves that the bracha is indeed a once-a-year blessing in appreciation of the new season and should not be recited again.
First-Time Seeing
Does the bracha need to be recited on the very first occasion that the blossoms are seen? This is an important question because quite often, people come to see if the tree is starting to blossom and then would like to return home to get a siddur or bring the family. The Mishnah Berurah has a long discussion of the question and rules that one can still recite the bracha even if one saw the blossoming tree previously.
In regard to some brachos, we find that they can only be recited the first time that the occasion arises. For example, in regard to the bracha on seeing a place where a miracle took place, the Biur Halachah (Siman 218) rules that the bracha can only be recited the first time that the place is seen (unless 30 days have already elapsed since the last time).
On the other hand, in regard to reciting she’hecheyanu on new fruits, there is a machlokes. The Rama (225:3) rules that one can recite the bracha when seeing the new fruit even if it is not the first time one has seen it. However, the Magen Avraham there (225:9) quotes others who maintain that it must be recited the first time.
So, what about the bracha on the newly blossoming trees? Is it comparable to seeing a place where a miracle took place, where the bracha can only be recited the first time that it was seen? Or is it comparable to reciting she’hecheyanu on new fruits, where, according to the Rama, one can still recite the bracha even after the first time one eats the new fruit?
In fact, the Mishnah Berurah, in Shaar Hatziun, suggests that in our case, all would agree that after the first seeing, it is too late to say Birkas Hailanot. Perhaps we allow reciting she’hecheyanu on new fruits later because the main enjoyment has not begun until one enjoys the fruit. But, in regard to the newly blossoming trees, maybe all would agree that after the first seeing, it is too late because the bracha must be recited at the very first time that the new blossoms are observed.
However, halachically speaking, the Mishnah Berurah rules that one can still recite the bracha. He proves this from the wording of the Shulchan Aruch, where it states that “if the fruits have started to grow, it is too late.” We see clearly that seeing the blossoming tree previously is not a problem, and one can still recite the bracha.
Perhaps we can explain that it is indeed different reciting she’hecheyanu on new fruits, which is for pleasure, which may not be as much once the excitement wears off. However, the bracha on the blossoming of the new tree is to thank Hashem for the rejuvenation of the trees, and, as mentioned before in the name of the Yismach Moshe, thanking Hashem has no expiration date.
In Conclusion
The bracha is a once-a-year blessing on the appreciation of the new season and is not recited more than once a year.
One can still recite the bracha even after the first time seeing the blossoming tree.
RABBI NACHUM SCHEINER
