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1)The Brachos on pleasant smells are recited equally for flowers/trees/fruits that are still growing and those that have already been cut down.
Therefore one who is strolling through an orchard [which is there for the purpose of smell] where the smells of various trees/flowers permeates the air, a Bracha must be recited. (See Biur Halacha 216:1 Dibur Hamaschil Mayriach. The Chazon Ish Siman 35:1 maintains that in such a case a Bracha would only be recited if the flower/fruit was actually held in the hand for the purposes of smelling. See also Kaf HaChaim 217:1 and Shu"t Avnei Yashfe Vol. 2 Siman 16)
2) However, if the fruits/flowers/trees in the orchard are there for the purpose of being cut down and sold at market or for the purposes of beauty such as a botanical gardens [or even a small garden in front of an individual home] and aren’t there for the purpose of smelling in their current state[as most orchards today are], no Brachos are recited. (See Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 14 Siman 11 and Shu"t Ohr L’Tzion Perek 14:37. In cases of uncertainty as to the intended purpose of the orchard, it is best to actually take a flower/fruit in the hand for the purpose of enjoying its fragrance, and recite a Bracha, and not rely simply on the fact that the smell is reaching you from where you are standing)
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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 pages 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.
Is one supposed to say Tefillas Haderech when driving from Brooklyn, NY to Lakewood, NJ and vice versa??
Answer:
There is no clear cut answer to this question, as it is hard to determine if at any point between Lakewood and Brooklyn you are considered having left the establishment.
Some Poskim say yes, others say no. others say to say without the Shem Hashem. others say to say while on the outerbridge crossing. others say to say it in Shma Koleinu in the Shemona Esrei before the trip.
A Rav must be consulted for Halacha L’Ma’aseh.
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
