Rosh Chodesh Nissan marks the beginning of the season for Birkas ha-Ilanos—the blessing we recite upon seeing fruit trees in bloom. Since this blessing, which extols Hashem’s ongoing renewal of creation[1], is recited only once a year[2], its halachos are difficult to remember. Women, too, may recite this blessing since it is not considered a “time-related mitzvah” from which women are exempt[3].

Question: When is Birkas ha-Ilanos recited?

Discussion: The l’chatchilah, preferred time to recite this blessing is immediately upon seeing a fruit tree in bloom during the month of Nissan. Most poskim agree that the halachah mentions Nissan since generally, that is the month in which trees begin to bloom[4]. Accordingly, in an area where they start blooming in Adar[5], or where they do not bloom until Iyar or Sivan[6], the blessing should be recited in those months[7]. In the countries where fruit trees blossom in Tishrei or Cheshvan, the blessing should be said at that time[8].

If a tree bloomed in Nissan, but one did not see it until later, he may recite the blessing the first time he sees the tree as long as the fruit of the tree has not yet ripened. Once the fruit has ripened, the blessing may no longer be said[9].

One who saw the trees in bloom during Nissan, but forgot or neglected to recite the blessing, may recite the blessing at a later date but only until the time that the fruit of the tree has begun to grow[10].

The blessing is said upon seeing the actual blooming (flowering) of the tree. The growth of leaves alone is not sufficient to allow one to recite the blessing[11].

Some poskim[12] hold that this blessing should not be said on Shabbos and Yom Tov, since we are concerned that it may lead to shaking or breaking a branch off the tree. All other poskim who do not mention this concern[13], apparently do not forbid reciting this blessing on Shabbos and Yom Tov[14]. It is customary, though, to recite the blessing only during the week[15], unless the last day of Nissan falls on Shabbos[16]. The blessing may be said at night[17].

Question: Which trees require Birkas ha-Ilanos?

Discussion: Birkas ha-Ilanos is said only on fruit-bearing trees[18]. If one mistakenly said the blessing on a barren tree, he need not repeat the blessing on a fruit-bearing tree[19].

The poskim debate whether one is allowed to recite the blessing on a tree which has been grafted from two species, since the halachah does not permit such grafting[20]. It is p referable not to make the blessing on such a tree[21].

Some acharonim prohibit the recitation of the blessing on an orlah tree[22]. A tree is considered orlah for the first three years after it is planted. Many other poskim, however, permit reciting the blessing on an orlah tree[23].

During the year of shemittah in Eretz Yisrael, it is permitted to recite the blessing even on a tree which—in violation of the halachah—has been cultivated[24].

The text of the blessing, as quoted in all of the early sources[25], is as follows:ברוך אתה ד’ אלקינו [26]להנות בהם בני אדם בריות טובות ואילנות טובים מלך העולם שלא חסר בעולמו כלום וברא בו

In several Siddurim[27] the word davar appears instead of the word klum. But since all of the early sources indicate that the original text had the word klum, not the word davar, and the reason for the change is unsubstantiated, it is, therefore, proper to follow the early sources and recite the word klum and not the word davar[28].

Birkas ha-Ilanos—hiddur mitzvah

In addition to the basic halachos mentioned earlier, there are several hiddurim and stringencies mentioned in the poskim concerning this once-a-year mitzvah. According to the kabbalah, especially, this blessing has special significance. Among the hiddurim are:

• The blessing should be recited on two or more trees. No blessing is said on a single tree[29]. Although the two trees do not have to be from two different species[30], several poskim mention that the more trees the better[31]. Indeed, l’chatchilah the blessing should be said on trees in an orchard that is planted outside the city limits[32].
• The blessing should be recited in the presence of a minyan followed by Kaddish. Before the blessing is recited, V’yehi noam followed by Hallelukah hallelu Keil min ha-shamayim is said[33].
• The blessing should be recited at the earliest possible time, which is on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, unless it falls on Shabbos or it is raining[34].

1. Shitah Mekubetzes, Berachos 43b.

Weekly-Halacha, Text Copyright © 2012 by Rabbi Neustadt, Dr. Jeffrey Gross and Torah.org.

Rabbi Neustadt is the Yoshev Rosh of the Vaad Harabbonim of Detroit and the Av Beis Din of the Beis Din Tzedek of Detroit. He could be reached at [email protected]