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1) One who sees fruit trees that are beginning to bloom, in the [beginning of the] month of Nissan, or at any other time when it's the season for the trees to bloom, recites the following Bracha: Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Shelo Chisar B'Olamo Klum U'Vara Vo Beriyos Tovos V'Ilanos Tovos (or "Tovim"; See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 60:1)Lehanos Bahem Bnei Adam- Blessed are You Hashem, Our G-d, Master of the Universe, who ensured that nothing is lacking in His world and Created in it good creations and good trees in order to pleasure mankind with them. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 226:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 1. See Aishel Avraham (Butshatsh) that only in Nissan may the Bracha be recited with Shem U'Malchus. However, the prevalent Minhag is to say the regular Bracha as long as the tree is still in the blooming stage, even if this is past Nissan. See Chayei Adam Klal 63:2 and Aruch HaShulchan 226:1 regarding climates where the blooming season is not in Nissan (e.g. Australia or South Africa). See also Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 118 and Shu"t L'Horos Nosson Vol. 5 Siman 7)
2) Preferably this Bracha should be said on two or more trees [in a field]and not on a solitary tree. However, if it was recited on a solitary tree it is acceptable. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 226:2 and Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 191. The prevalent Minhag is indeed to say it on a single tree) Women are obligated in this Bracha just as men are. ( See Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 118 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 12 Siman 25 for the reasoning behind this and why it isn't considered a Mitzvah She'Hazman Grama, as it is seemingly a time-bound Mitzvah)
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
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.
Some people in the shul in which I daven do something which I consider very annoying, and I was wondering if you could tell me if what they are doing is proper or not.
If something special is to be inserted in Shmoneh Esrei (Such as Al HaNisim or Yaaleh v"Yavoh ), they say the first few words out loud when they reach that point in their silent Shmoneh Esrei.
I suppose they're trying to make sure everyone remembers to say it.
It disturbs me because first of all it disturbs what little kavanah I usually muster, as I am distracted from the current bracha I am saying to be reminded of something else. Also, it seems that shey should be directing their prayers to Hashem, not signaling others in the middle of their tefillah. I wish they would stop doing it. It really bothers me.
Answer:
This is another one of those sticky situations, which are hard to control.
Many Poskim do indeed say that if these "shout outs" are being done in order to remind the Tzibbur to say Yaaleh V'Yavo or "V'Sein Tal Umatar" or Al HaNisim etc. then it is OK (See Shu"t Eretz Tzvi Siman 24)
The Chazon Ish was of the opinion that doing so is not proper Derech Eretz, and even though the "shouter" has good intentions it should not be done (Dinim V'Hanhagos L'Chazon Ish Perek 4:33; also broght in Orchos Rabeinu from the Steipler Vol. 3 Page 207.)
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal also was against this "Minhag" of every person in Shul doing this, as it is a Bizayon (disgrace) to the King [Hashem].
However, he quotes the Magen Avraham ( Siman 114:2)that says that for one person (the Shamash or Gabai) to do so when he reaches that place in Tefilah it's OK, but not the whole shul (Halichos Shlomo Chapter 8, Ha'arah 20)
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
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
