Blessings On Fragrances, part one vol.2 no.12

The concept of birchos horei'ach - blessings on pleasant aromas is best known in the context of the havdala ceremony. In actuality these brochos apply in almost every situation invoving pleasant fragrances. In these next few issues we will present the basic guidelines for these blessings.

The Talmud divides fragrances into several categories, each having its own brocha :

1. Upon smelling fragrant trees, shrubs, or parts thereof [other than fruit - see #3] the brocha is "...borei atzei b'somim ".
2. Upon smelling fragrant plants, flowers, grasses and herbs the brocha is "...borei isvei b'somim ".
3. Upon smelling fragrant fruits or nuts the brocha is "...hanosein rei'ach tov bapeiros ".
4. Upon smelling
   1. a fragrance which is derived from any other natural source [such as a perfume which is produced from an animal source],
   2. a fragrance the source of which is not known,
   3. a product made from any combination of cases # 1, 2, and 3 above , or
   4. d. a product whose halachic status is unclear [e.g. cloves, re- garding which there exist opposing rulings whether to categorize within groups #1 or #3] the brocha is "...borei minei b'somim ".

There is one exceptional situation in which the above guidelines do not apply. Within the havdala ceremony the brocha recited is always "...borei minei b'somim" regardless of the origin of the spices being used. Nonetheless, it is best to use a product which would in actuality require this brocha even outside of the havdala context.

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