Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Laws and Customs
- Berachot - Blessings
1) Baruch ata…borei atzei b’samin is made on
nice-smelling inedible substances that grow on trees (e.g.roses).
2) Boruch atah...borei isbei b’samim is made on
nice-smelling inedible substances that grow on the ground (e.g. mint).
3) Boruch atah...borei minei b’samim for
nice-smelling substances which don’t grow on
trees or the ground (e.g. cinnamon). It is also a
"catch-all" Bracha for mixtures & cases of doubt
(Ashkenaz Havdala always uses this Bracha).
4) Boruch atah….borei shemen areiv is a special
Bracha for balsam/balsam oil. As it grows
abundantly in Eretz Yisrael it has a special
status & preference over all other smells, giving it its own Bracha.;
5) Boruch atah…..hanosein reiach tov bapeirot
(e.g. fresh-ground coffee) is a special Bracha
for foods which grow on trees or the ground,
smell nice, & are taken with intent to smell.
There is NO after-bracha (achrona) after smelling.
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Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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