As the April showers will hopefully soon bring the May flowers, I would like to discuss the timely topic of Birchas Ilanos, the yearly brocha recited on the newly sprouting trees.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE BROCHA
The Gemara in Brochos (43b) tells us: “האי מאן דנפיק ביומי ניסן וחזי אילני דקא מלבלבי אומר בָּרוּךְ שֶׁלֹּא חִסֵר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם, וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִ יּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת לֵיהָנוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם; – One who goes out in the days of Nissan and sees the blossoming trees should recite the following brocha, ‘Blessed is [Hashem] who did not skip anything in His world and created fine creations and trees to give pleasure to people.’
Although the Gemara does not spell out that one should recite Hashem’s name, the Ritva and others point out that the Gemara was just writing the text in short, and the full text of the brocha, including Hashem’s name, is recited.
Interestingly, the Gemara just makes this very short statement without elaborating on the rules and regulations of this brocha. However, the poskim point out that with a closer look at the text, many halachic details can be gleaned from each word of the Gemara.
TREES
The Kaf Hachaim, as well as other poskim, points to another expression that the Gemara uses. The Gemara – as well as the Rambam – uses the plural expression “trees.” This would seem to infer that one must see more than one tree. However, the sefer Bitzeil Hachachma writes that this is not necessarily so. The Gemara often uses the plural expression even when there is no need for a plural, referring to the general concept of people seeing trees. For example, the Gemara tells us the brocha one recites upon seeing rivers and oceans using the plural, although it is clear that there is no need to see more than one.
What type of trees are we referring to? The Mishna Berurah and the Kaf Hachaim write that it is only recited when seeing fruit trees that we can enjoy.
Although some poskim rule that one can recite the brocha on seeing vegetables sprouting, the consensus of the poskim is that it is only recited for fruit trees. Why is the brocha only recited for fruit trees and not for the vegetables sprouting as well? The Aruch Hashulchan suggests that this brocha was specifically instituted to thank Hashem for the extra enjoyments that He provides, not just for basic staples, such as cucumbers and tomatoes. This is similar to the Tosafos in Brochos (37a) that explains the text of Borei Nefashos: בּוֹרֵא נְפָשׁוֹת רַבּוֹת וְחֶסְרוֹנָן, עַל כָּל מַה שֶּׁבָּרָא לְהַחֲיוֹת בָּהֶם נֶפֶשׁ – He created many souls and the things that they need in addition to all He created to give them enjoyment,” as a reference to fruits. Similarly, this brocha is meant to thank Hashem for the “extras.”
Can the brocha be recited on Shabbos or after Chodesh Nissan? These and other important questions will be discussed, b’ezras Hashem, in a future article.
IN SUMMARY
The full text of the brocha, including Hashem’s name, is recited. The brocha should be recited on a fruit tree. Some require more than one tree, but according to other poskim, one fruit tree is enough to recite the brocha.
RABBI NACHUM SCHEINER
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