Blessed are You, O God, King of the universe, who left nothing lacking in His world, and who therefore filled it with beautiful creations and pleasurable trees for mankind to enjoy.
Question: WHAT IS BIRKAT HA-ILANOT, THE BLESSINGS ON TREES?
Answer: Rosh Chodesh Nisan marks the start of the season for saying Birkat Ha-Ilanot, the unique bracha said upon seeing fruit trees in bloom (as stated in Brachot 43b). This is one of only 4 brachot said by all Jews just once each year!
The Bracha is: B.A.A.E.M.H. shelo chaser b’olamo klum, u’bara vo briyut tovot v’ilanot tovim, layhanot bahem b’nei adam.
Ideally, we say the bracha when first seeing fruit-bearing trees flowering in Nisan; but the bracha may still be said for as long as the fruit has not yet ripened. A “hidur Mitzva” is to say the bracha on 2 or more trees together, with a minyan. But a single person may also say it on a single tree. http://rabbistewartweiss.com/2011/04/01/what-is-birkat-ha-ilanot/
The following is an excerpt from an email by Rabbi Eli Mansour.
Rav Pinhas Zevihi...writes that one must make a point of reciting Birkat Ha’ilanot – the Beracha over the blossoming of fruit trees – as early as he can during the month of Nissan. Once Rosh Hodesh Nissan arrives, one should endeavor to see two blossoming fruit trees and recite the Beracha without delay.
http://www.dailyhalacha.com/
Click on the link below to see Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlit”a, who celebrated his 101st birthday this Rosh Chodesh, performing the mitzvah of reciting the blessing on the trees. May we all be inspired to perform mitzvahs with the same alacrity and zeal. And may we learn not to take things for granted, such as the coming of Spring and the blsossoming of the trees.
http://www.bhol.co.il/Article.aspx?id=26682
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