“One who goes out in the days of Nisan and sees trees blossoming, recites: “Blessed is He who did not omit anything from His world, and created in it good creatures and good trees with which to delight people.” [1. Berachos 43b, SA OC 226]
The “delight” which people receive through these good trees is the delight of eating, and the Rishonim agreed that this blessing is recited only on fruit trees. However, the blessing is not said on the fruit. On the contrary, the Shulchan Arukh writes that once the fruit has ripened, we can no longer say this blessing. Then it is time to say “shehechyanu” on viewing the newly ripened fruit. Let us examine the significance of this timing.
The blossom which elicits the blessing on the trees will be included in three different benedictions over the course of the year:
1. The blessing on fruit trees is said at the time of blossoming, and the one blessing includes all kinds of trees.
2. When the blossom becomes a ripe fruit, then we say the shehechyanu blessing on the arrival of a new fruit. This blessing is said on each species individually. [2. SA- OC 225:3; nowadays the custom is to say shehechyanu only when we eat the fruit.]
3. Finally, whoever eats the fruit will say borei pri haetz and the appropriate closing benediction, and this is said each time the fruits are eaten.
The blessing on eating is said on the actual pleasure of tasting the fruit. This is the most concrete enjoyment, and the most specific blessing.
The shehechyanu blessing is said when we have the definite ability to enjoy the fruit. Even so, this ability is not yet realized, so the blessing is more general – once for each kind of fruit.
But the blessing we say on the flowering is made on the mere promise of future enjoyment. As soon as we see the trees blossoming in spring, we see that the natural world has awakened from its winter slumber. We are filled with hope and confidence that nature will fulfill its promise to provide us with fruit. The very first fruit blossom of the year embodies the longing and anticipation of the entire new year, and so this blessing is said only once for the entire year.
In springtime, the sense of expectation seems to fill the air like the smell of the blossoming trees; and there is even an opinion which says that the blessing may be said only on blossoms which have a scent. [3. Sefer HaParnas]
If any friend or member of Congregation Toras Chaim has a fruit tree that is available for others to make the blessing over and fulfill this special once-a-year mitzvah, please leave a comment under the post letting others know where and when to make the blessing.
Warmest regards
Rabbi Yaakov Rich
We have esrog trees and one of them has flowers.
That is wonderful. Thank you very much Carol. I will be in touch with you.
Yaakov Rich