Only Once a Year: How Do We Recite the Blessing of the Trees?

It is explained in the Talmud and by Jewish legal authorities that one who goes out during the month of Nissan and sees trees that produce flowers should recite: "Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created within it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give pleasure to mankind," and women should also recite this blessing on trees.

The Sages instituted this blessing because the blossoming of trees is something that occurs periodically in a renewed way, as a person sees dry trees that Hashem has caused to bloom, and one should not recite this blessing more than once a year.

In the words of our Sages who established the blessing on trees, it is mentioned that the appropriate time for this blessing is during the month of Nissan, when trees typically blossom and produce buds. However, in the United States, there is a problem in some years where trees have not yet begun to bloom during Nissan, raising the question of whether one can recite the blessing in the month of Iyar.

It is stated in the book 'HaEshkol' that one should recite the blessing of the trees during Nissan, but not necessarily during Nissan specifically, rather at the time when one sees the flower for the first time in the year. The Ritva wrote similarly in his commentaries, stating: "The days of Nissan are not specifically required, but rather each place according to when the trees blossom." Many other authorities have written likewise, and therefore it is permissible to recite the blessing of the trees in each place according to the time of tree blossoming, as there is no special requirement for the month of Nissan specifically, but rather for the spring blossoming, which generally occurs during the month of Nissan.

If the flowering has already ended and fruits have begun to appear on the tree, one cannot recite the blessing on the trees. Even if fruits have not grown but only the flowers have fallen, one cannot recite the blessing on the trees, because the blessing is specifically for the blossoming of trees, which is the emergence of the flower. Nevertheless, if a tree has begun to grow some of its fruits, but still has flowers and buds, one may recite the blessing of the trees on it.

One should only recite the blessing of the trees on fruit trees, but not on non-fruit trees that do not produce fruit. However, if one mistakenly recited the blessing on non-fruit trees, one should not recite it again when seeing fruit tree blossoms.

One should only recite the blessing when seeing at least two trees, and it is sufficient according to basic law even with two trees of the same species, though one who recites the blessing over many species of trees is praiseworthy.

It is permissible to recite the blessing on trees within their first three years of planting, even though they are considered orlah (forbidden for benefit), since they were not planted in violation, as all trees in their first three years are forbidden for benefit, therefore it is permissible to recite the blessing on them.

Blessing of the Trees on Shabbat: There is a disagreement among later authorities whether it is permissible to recite the blessing of the trees on Shabbat, as some were concerned one might forget and pluck from the tree blossoms on Shabbat. However, according to the ruling of the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef of blessed memory, one may be lenient and recite the blessing of the trees on Shabbat, though preferably one should recite the blessing on weekdays when there is no concern about missing the opportunity.

Rabbi Shai Amar is a rabbi in the Hidabroot Halacha department

Questions for the Rabbi 054-8448909