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1)If one has two foods of the same Bracha in front of them, one Bracha should be recited for both of the foods.
Making a separate Bracha on each is a "Bracha Sh'Aina Tzericha, an unnecessary Bracha". (See Sha'ar HaTzion Siman 215:18)
Even if one specifically had in mind that the Bracha should only exempt one of the foods in order to necessitate a second Bracha, having this intent makes it a Bracha Sh'Aina Tzericha.
However, if one is not sure if the Bracha on the first item will exempt the second item (due to a Machlokes HaPoskim which Bracha to make, or any other halachically valid Safek) it is permissible, according to many Poskim, to have explicit intent that the Bracha on the first item should not exempt the second item. (See Pri Chadash Yoreh Deah Siman 19:8, Mogen Avraham end of Siman 639, Shaarei Teshuva Siman 8:15 and Biur Halacha Siman 25 Dibur Hamaschil V'Tov.)
2) If one washed for bread and recited hamotzi, and then makes an additional Bracha on one of the items that is served during the meal, it is a Bracha Sh'Aina Tzericha as all the foods being served during the meal have already been exempted by the Hamotzi.
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 page on the Halacha For Todaywebsite.
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.
When do you make the bracha? What if you make the bracha and then the flowers don't smell? - was it then a bracha l'vatola requiring a "baruch shem kvod..."?
What if you enter a florist or another area - on the street, or in someone's home- where the smell of flowers is strong - should we make a bracha when we smell the fragrance?
Thank you for clarifying this confusing topic.
Answer:
If the flower being smelled is from a tree (such as a rose),the correct Bracha to recite is Borei Atzei (trees/branches)Besamim .
If the flower grows from the ground (such as a daisies, tulips etc.), and not on a tree, the Bracha recited is Borei Isvei (grasses) Besamim.
When smelling a whole bunch of flowers, which includes both tree flowers and other flowers, the Bracha recited is Borei Minei (different kinds)Besomim.
The same is true when walking into a florist (if the smell is very distinct and you derive pleasure from it. Or even if it isn't that distinct but you intentionally want to derive pleasure from the smell) or a spice store, the Bracha of Borei Minei Besomim is recited. (See Mishna Berura Siman 217:2)
The Bracha is always made before smelling it.
If you made the Bracha and intended to smell the flower, and then upon smelling it found it to have no scent at all, "Boruch Sheim" should be recited.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
