Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend

Chapter 58: 4-6
The Blessing Recited over Fragrances

4. On fragrant grasses and vegetables, one should recite the blessing: [Boruch Attoh A-d-o-n-o-i E-l-o-h-e-i-n-u Melech ho'olom] borey isvei besomim. (Blessed are You, G-d, our Lord, King of the Universe, Who creates grasses with fragrance.) ( The "Ayin" is pronounced with a chirik [.] and the "Beis" has no dot, [and is thus, pronounced as a "v,"] because the chirik [.] is a short vowel.)

In this context, one may distinguish between a tree and a vegetable as follows. The category "trees" includes any plant: a) whose stem is as firm as the stem of flax, b) which remains throughout the entire year, and c) produces leaves.

Those with soft stems require the blessing isvei besomim.*

* {Most flowers are included in this category. The Mishna B'rurah 216, Bi'ur Halacha raises questions about the blessing appropriate for a plant with a firm stem that does remain throughout the year.}

5. A substance which is neither a product of a tree nor an herb - e.g., musk - requires the blessing: [Boruch Attoh A-d-o-n-o-i E-l-o-h-e-i-n-u Melech ho'olom] borey minei besomim. (Blessed are You, G-d, our Lord, King of the Universe, Who creates various types of fragrance.)

It appears to me that his blessing is also recited when one smells dried mushrooms that have a pleasant fragrance.

6. A special blessing was instituted for balsam oil which is produced in Eretz Yisroel, because of the prominence of the fact that it grows in Eretz Yisroel. One recites the blessing: [Boruch Attoh A-d-o-n-o-i E-l-o-h-e-i-n-u Melech ho'olom] borey shemen orev. (Blessed are You, G-d, our Lord, King of the Universe, Who creates pleasant oil.)

BackThe Blessing Recited over Fragrances
Paragraphs 1-3
   The Blessing Recited over Fragrances
Paragraphs 7-9
Next
Table of Contents

Halacha-Yomi, Copyright (c) 2000 ProjectGenesis, Inc.

Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON HAAZINU AND SUKKOS:

View Complete List

The Ability to Listen
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5767

Shaking Up Our Priorities
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5763

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5755

Email Sponsorship

Just Desserts
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky - 5758

How Close Is Hashem to Us?
Rabbi Yosef Kalatzky - 5763

Money Can't Buy Happiness
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5762

ArtScroll

Basics
Rabbi Raymond Beyda - 5764

Permanent Assets
Rabbi Moshe Peretz Gilden - 5766

An Ear For Teshuvah
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5760

The Everything Torah Book

The Time of Our Happiness
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5756

Time Capsules
Rabbi Naftali Reich - 5767

Beauty Defined
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5763

Humble Beginnings
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky - 5756

True Foundation
Shlomo Katz - 5758

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5760

-- And Some Good Food, Too!
Rabbi Label Lam - 5764


Learning Events and Programs

Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base

Discussion Forum




Help

About Us

Contact Us


Enable popup menus


Download to my HandHeld


Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information