Bracha Hanging on Fence - NEPTUNE SIDE OF PROPERTY - The Gross
Residence - Fell free to ring doorbell - BUT TREES VISIBLE FROM
STREET


Rosh Chodesh Nissan (this year: March 30) officially ushers in the
Spring season when we may recite Birchat Ha'Ilanot, the blessing upon
seeing fruit trees in bloom.

This special blessing is recited only once a year. In it we praise G-
d's ongoing renewal of creation. The blessing is as follows:

Boruch Ata Ad-o-nay, E-l-hainu, Melech Ha'olam,
sh'lo hasair b'olamo kloom,
ubara bo briyot tovot v'eilanot tovot,
leihanot bahem benai adam.

"Blessed be You, G-d, our G-d,
King of the Universe,
that His world is not lacking anything,
and He created in it
good creations and good trees
for the pleasure of mankind."

(Readings for before and after the blessing are found in some prayer
books.)

It is desirable to seek the opportunity to recite Birchat Ha'Ilanot
as soon as possible in the month of Nissan (unless Rosh Chodesh
Nissan falls on Shabbat). It is said only upon seeing a tree in bloom
for the first time. The growth of leaves alone is not sufficient to
allow one to say the blessing; there must be flowers (or buds,
according to some authorities).

One who saw fruit trees in bloom during Nissan, but forgot or
neglected to recite the blessing, may then recite it only until the
time that the fruit of the tree has (begun to have) grown.

Ideally, Birchat Ha'Ilanot should be made outside of the city limits,
and only on at least two trees, and the more the better (as in an
orchard). There are those who hold that these trees should be of at
least two different species. Also, it is desirable that it be recited
with a minyan of 10 males if possible, so that it can be followed by
Kaddish.

* * *

According to Kabbalah, this blessing has special significance. When
Jews make this blessing they are able to redeem souls who have been
re-incarnated in the vegetal realm, making it possible for them to
continue or complete their tikun (soul rectification). It should
therefore, be said with intense concentration and kavanah
(intention).

Also, it is desirable to follow the blessing with a donation of three
coins to tzedakah (charity), corresponding to the three soul levels
of nefesh-ruach-neshama.

"See (said Yitzchok of Yaacov), the fragrance of my son is like the
fragrance of a field that
G-d has blessed." (Gen. 27:27) It is interpreted that this verse
applies to anyone who recites Birchat Ha'Ilanot with the proper
intention.



(produced by Yrachmiel Tilles, for Ascent of Zefat,
Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5760
based on Shulchan HaShalem,'Ohalei Tsaddikim, and Kaf HaHayim)