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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Month of Nissan
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Laws and Customs
- Plants and Animals
"One who goes out in the month of Nissan and sees budding trees says "blessed are You, Hashem, God, who is King of the world, who did not cause any deficiency in His world, and created in it good creations and good trees, in order to benefit people." (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, siman 226)
It was a late afternoon in Nissan. Shlomi put away his gardening tools, clapped the dirt off of his hands, and gave a brief synopsis to the customer of the work that had been done. Work done, Shlomi headed off for his next destination. He pulled into the hospital parking lot. Shlomi pushed the ‘4’ button in the elevator, and ran over to his father’s room.
Shlomi wedged a chair between his father’s bed and the white and green striped curtain that hung in the middle of the room. Shlomi began telling his father about his day, when he noticed that his father seemed a little more distracted than usual.
"Dad, is something bothering you?" Shlomi asked.
"It’s Nissan." Shlomi’s father sighed.
Shlomi waited for some further explanation. None was forthcoming. "Dad, um, why is the month of Nissan making you upset?"
"Don’t you remember, Shlomi?" his father paused again. "Shlomi, in Nissan we’re supposed to say birchat ilanot (the annual blessing made upon seeing fruit trees blossoming, in the month of Nissan). You know how I always look forward to making the blessing in the garden I planted, with my own two hands. Now what will I do this year, stuck in the hospital like this?"
Shlomi couldn’t think of anything to say. Indeed, his father’s garden was a popular location for many people in the neighborhood to recite birchat ilanot. His father took such pleasure in sharing the beauty of Hashem’s trees with his neighbors, and in reciting the blessing himself. Shlomi was saddened that he had no way to help his father.
And then it came to him. He didn’t say anything about his plans to his father, but eagerly awaited the next evening’s hospital visit.
The next day, Shlomi’s entrance to the hospital evoked some curious glances. He just smiled politely and continued walking. As the elevator door opened, he made his way to his father’s room.
Shlomi’s father was lying with his eyes gently closed.
"Dad, I brought a surprise for you. I hope you like it!"
His father opened his eyes, and started to laugh. Shlomi had brought… a tree! A real live fruit tree, with roots and soil!
Tears streamed down Shlomi’s father’s face, as he gratefully recited birchat ilanot.
Did Shlomi act correctly, given that there is a prohibition against uprooting a fruit tree?
Answer of Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita:
It is true that there is a prohibition against uprooting a fruit tree, as the Torah says "you shall not destroy its trees" (Devarim 20:19). However, in this case, it was permitted, provided that Shlomi intended to return the tree to the ground after the blessing was made. (It is written in She’elat Yaavetz 1, 76, that it is permitted to uproot a fruit tree with its roots and a mass of earth, in order to replant the tree in a place in which the tree is capable of surviving.)
It is true that there are poskim who opine that it is not permitted to say birchat ilanot on a single tree. Rather, these authorities contend, the blessing must be made on a minimum of two trees, as the gemara states "…and sees trees blossoming." However, in practice, we do not follow this opinion, and it is sufficient to make a blessing upon seeing a single fruit tree.
However, if the tree were in its first three years of growth, it is a matter of debate as to whether it is permitted to make a blessing on the tree. This is because the wording of the blessing is "…good trees for people to enjoy them…" and, a tree within its first three years is orla, and it is forbidden to benefit from its fruit. Therefore, there are poskim who rule that a tree must have entered its fourth year in order to be suitable to use for this blessing. Other poskim maintain that it is permitted to make a blessing even over a tree that has the orla restriction.
In summary: Shlomi was allowed to uproot the tree, on condition that he intended to replant the tree.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
