Please consider sponsoring a day or more of Halacha For Today, or simply making a donation of$1,$5,$10,$18, $36,$54... Any amount you can give is appreciated and will help further spread Torah!
1) A Bracha is only recited on a strong, distinct smell and not on a faint scent smell which takes effort to discern.
Therefore, Besamim or other pleasant smelling items that are dried out or otherwise lost their potency (very common with Besamim that have been sitting in a Besamim box for a very long time, where they lose their sharp scent and they must be sniffed very closely and hard in order to discern their scent) should not be used for Havdalah, as most likely they no longer require a Bracha, and doing so would be a Bracha L'Vatalah. It is recommended to replenish the Besamim box every few months to ensure strong smelling scents. (See Mishna Berura Siman 216:55, Shu"t Be'er Moshe Vol. 3 Siman 54. See also Sefer V'Zos HaBracha Perek 19 quoting Rav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg shlita that such faint smells are considered "Rayach Sh'Ain Bo Ikar". And thus do not require a Bracha, as we discussed a few days ago) 2) Man-made scents that are not natural, and are manufactured synthetically, is a subject of debate amongst the Poskim if a Bracha is required, thus, due to the rule of Safek Brachos L'Hakel (whenever it is a question if a Bracha is required, we rule to not say a Bracha, in order not to say Hashem's name in vain Chas V'Shalom) no Bracha would be recited on such a scent.
Thus, most of the perfumes, colognes, body sprays etc. that are on the market today would not require a Bracha as they are produced synthetically to acquire a certain smell, and aren't naturally fragrant. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 61:12 and footnote 232 quoting Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal. It is important to note that even natural perfumes that would require a Bracha would only require it when smelling it in the bottle, and not when smelling it after it is already applied to a person[on whom it is permissible to smell], as it would then be considered "Rayach Sh'Ain Bo Ikar". See also Shu"t Ohr L'Tzion Perek 46:54 and Shu"t Avnei Yashfeh Vol. 2 Siman 16)
Potpourri (which is basically flower petals, bark and other materials which have no intrinsic smells, and are sprayed with perfumes and other synthetic smells) does not require a Bracha when being smelled as it isn't naturally fragrant.
*********
Fly on EL AL for the Fewest Points of Any Credit Card!
A percentage of every purchase made on your HAS Advantage Visa credit card is donated to charities in Israel . Earn 1 point for every $1 spent. Benefit from a rewards program designed with you in mind. Enjoy bonus tickets to Israel , 1% cash back, double points at select merchants and kosher supermarkets, discounts in Israel , merchandise and more.
Call 1-866-647-7235 or click here to learn more and receive $25 after your first purchase!
SPECIAL BONUS 2,500 POINTS FOR HALACHA FOR TODAY READERS!
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Todaywebsite.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Why must one eat shaleshudis (Shalosh Seudot, the third meal on Shabbos), if by the time that meal comes around, one is still full from the second seudah and has absolutely no desire to eat?
Answer:
There is a Mitvah to eat 3 meals on Shabbos, one at night and 2 during the day.
One should try not to be so full so that he/she isn't hungry for the third meal, but even if one isnt so hungry, it is a mitzvah to eat the third meal anyway.
In fact, the reason the third meal is referred to as "Shalosh Seudos", three meals, when it should really be "Seuda Shlishis", the third meal, is because one who makes sure to eat the third meal even when they arent hungry (as is often the case, especially in the winter months) gets reward for eating all three meals as if they werent hungry, and only for the Mitzvah aspect! (Based on the commentary of the Sfas Emes)
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
