Chapter 58: 7-9
The Blessing Recited over Fragrances
7. A person who recited borey isvei besomim for a fragrance which requires
the blessing borey atzei besomim, or vice versa, has not fulfilled his
obligation. However, if the blessing borey minei besomim is recited for any
type of fragrance, one fulfills his obligation.
It appears to me that if one recites borey atzei besomim for fruit which
grows on trees, one fulfills his obligation. Therefore, it appears to me
that the latter blessing should be recited for the cloves and for orange or
lemon peels.*
* {The Misgeres Hashulchon (4) and the Mishnoh B'ruroh 216:16 suggest
reciting borey minei besomim for these fragrances.}
8. [The appropriate blessing to be recited] when water or oil is perfumed
with spices [depends on the nature of the spices]. If the blessing borey
atzei besomim would be recited for the spices, that blessing should be
recited for the mixture. If the blessing borey isvei besomim would be
recited for the spices, that blessing should be recited for the mixture.
If spices of different species - some requiring the blessing borey atzei
besomim, and others, the blessing borey isvei besomim - were used, then the
blessing borey minei besomim is recited. Similarly, whenever one smells a
fragrance coming from a mixture of spices of different types, one recites
the blessing borey minei besomim.
If the spices were removed from the water or oil, there is a question
whether or a not a blessing should be recited upon them, since no substance
remains. Therefore, one should refrain from smelling such a a mixture.*
* {The Mishnoh B'rurah 216:32 states that one may recite the blessing bore
minei besomim for the mixture even after the spices have been
removed. Thus, blessings may be recited on different types of perfume.}
9. If a person has before him a fruit with a pleasant fragrance, spices
from a tree, herbs, and a mixture of spices, he should recite the
appropriate blessing for each particular type. First, he should recite the
blessing for the fruit; afterwards, for the species from the tree; then for
the herbs; and then for the mixture.
