1) Some people have the custom after reciting the Bracha on seeing blossoming trees to add additional Mizmorim of Tehillim and other texts praising Hashem for the trees.
Some people try to say this Bracha with other people, as a group.
Some even have the custom to give Tzedakah before reciting this Bracha.
Each person should do as their customs dictate. (See Kaf HaChaim Siman 226:7 and 8. See also Shu"t Minchas Yitzchak Vol. 10 Siman 16)
2) This Bracha may only be recited once a year, and according to some Poskim only during the daytime (Mishna Berura 226:3. See also Shu"t Har Tzvi Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 118 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 12 Siman 20:6)
The Bracha on seeing a blossoming tree should ideally not be recited on Shabbos, as we are worried that one will touch the tree and/or pluck a branch from it, as well as for Kabalistic reasons (which we will discuss tomorrow B'Ezras Hashem).
However, if it is seen on Shabbos and it will be the last opportunity to recite the Bracha, it may indeed be recited according to many Poskim. (See Kaf HaChaim 226:4 and Shu"t B'Tzel HaChachma Vol. 6 Siman 37. See also Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchaso Perek 26 footnote 72 and Shu"t Yechaveh Da'as Vol. 1 Siman 2)
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 Today website.
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.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
Before Pesach I get many letters from various Tzedaka organizations requesting money for their cause.
Say I get about 100 letters in the mail this month. Is it better to give to one organization $100 or $1 to 100 organizations?
Answer:
It is better to spread the wealth rather than give all your Tzedaka dollars to one place. This doesnt mean you cant give more to causes you feel for and not at all to a cause that doesnt touch your heart,it just means that it is praiseworthy to spread it out. (See Rambam to Pirkei Avos Perk 3 Mishna 15 ).
There are also halachic guidelines about who takes precedence over others, as we have discussed in Hilchos Maaser Kesafim.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
Important Numbers
