Q. If we have a fruit tree in our backyard here in chutz ha-eretz, should we separate the first fruit any ways? Can we use the fruit of the tree for eating if the tree is less than 4 years old?
Outside of Eretz Israel and without the Beit Hamikdash, is there a specific verse to say in thanking HaShem for the bounty, or can we say only what is in our heart? Thank you Rabbi
A. There is no mitzva of Bikurim or first fruits offered to Hashem in our days.
On question 3698 we were asked: “We have a small melocoton (peach) tree in our backyard that isn’t yet 4 years old and it is blooming. Can we recite the bracha of the blooming trees on it?”
To what we answered: “Poskim rule that during the first three years of the tree since the fruits are ‘Orlah’ and prohibited, one does not recite the blessing of the blooming trees, however on the fourth year on can recite this important blessing”.
See questions 282, 288, 1708, 1703 regarding the times, conditions and if women recite this brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
