Shabbat Mincha  with Keriat Hatorah  

Passover- Eruv Tavshilin  

When Yom Tov falls on
Friday, Halacha forbids cooking or making any preparations on that day for
Shabbat, unless one follows the procedure known as "Eruv Tavshilin."
The Eruv Tavshilin is made on Erev Yom Tov; thus, if Yom Tov falls on Thursday
and Friday, one would make the Eruv Tavshilin on Wednesday, before the onset of
Yom Tov. One takes a Ke'zayit (the volume of an olive) of bread – or, on
Pesach, Matza – together with a cooked food – our practice is to use an egg –
and sets them aside. He then makes the formal declaration stating that through
this Eruv it will be permitted to cook, bake and make any preparations
necessary on Yom Tov for Shabbat. Without making an Eruv Tavshilin, one may not
prepare on Yom Tov for Shabbat.

Chacham Ovadia Yosef writes that even if one did make an
Eruv Tavshilin, he should preferably not cook and prepare for Shabbat late in
the day on Yom Tov, shortly before the onset of Shabbat. He should endeavor to
prepare the food early enough in the day that it could potentially be served to
guests who arrive while it is still Yom Tov, before Shabbat. This is an
additional measure of stringency; if one cooked food late in the day on Yom
Tov, the food is nevertheless permissible for consumption on Shabbat.
Preferably, however, one should prepare food earlier in the day.

Summary: When Yom Tov falls on Shabbat, one must make an
Eruv Tavshilin on Erev Yom Tov to allow preparing on Yom Tov for Shabbat. Even
if one did make an Eruv Tavshilin, he should preferably not prepare food for Shabbat
late in the day on Friday

What Is The Latest Time On Erev Yom Tov,
One Can Make Eruv Tavshilin?
When Yom Tov falls on Friday, one must prepare an
Eruv Tavshilin before sunset on Erev Yom Tov to allow cooking on Yom Tov for
Shabbat. The question was raised as to whether or not somebody who forgot to
prepare an Eruv Tavshilin before sundown on Erev Yom Tov has the opportunity to
do so after sunset.

Chacham Ovadia Yosef addresses this question in his work Yechaveh Da'at (6:31),
and he concludes that in such a case one may, in fact, prepare his Eruv
Tavshilin during the thirteen-minute period after sunset called Bein
Ha'shemashot. He adds that one may even recite the Beracha when preparing the
Eruv Tavshilin during this period.

Chacham Bentzion Abba Shaul (Jerusalem, 1924-1998), in Or Le'tziyon (22:8),
adopts this position, as well. He adds, however, that once a person recites
Arvit on the night of Yom Tov, or even responds to "Barechu" at the
beginning of Arvit, he has effectively begun his observance of Yom Tov and
therefore can no longer prepare an Eruv Tavshilin. Even if one responds to
"Barechu" within thirteen minutes after sundown, he may no longer
prepare the Eruv Tavshilin.

Summary: One who forgot to prepare an Eruv Tavshilin before sundown on Erev Yom
Tov may still do so – with a Beracha – within thirteen minutes after sundown,
unless he recites Arvit or responds to "Barechu" during Arvit, in
which case he may no longer prepare the Eruv Tavshilin.

Which Foods are Suitable for the Erub
Tabshilin?
An Erub Tabshilin is prepared before Yom Tob in
situations where Yom Tob is immediately followed by Shabbat, in order to allow
cooking on Yom Tob for Shabbat. The Erub Tabshilin must consist of two foods –
one baked, and one cooked. The baked food is traditionally a piece of bread, or
a piece of Masa on Pesah. As for the cooked food, it was for many years
customary to use a hardboiled egg for this purpose. The reason is that the food
must be able to remain fresh until Shabbat, and before refrigeration, there
weren’t many foods that could remain fresh for this long. An egg was therefore
used because it could be stored and eaten for a number of days.

Nowadays, however, Hacham Ovadia Yosef ruled, it is preferable to use a more
“Hashub” (significant) food for the Erub Tabshilin. Since food can now be
refrigerated and kept fresh, one should try to use a food such as a piece of
fish or meat for the Erub Tabshilin, rather than an egg. Certainly, if one uses
an egg, it suffices to allow cooking on Yom Tob for Shabbat, on condition that
it was not peeled. The Gemara in Masechet Nidda (17) teaches that eating an egg
that has been left unpeeled overnight can be injurious to one’s health. Since
the food of the Erub Tabshilin must be edible, an egg that is left overnight
without a peel is not suitable. Thus, although it is preferable to use a more
significant food, one may use an egg, as long as it is not peeled before it is
eaten on Shabbat.

In general, any food that is boiled, roasted, poached, etc. is suitable for the
Erub Tabshilin. In fact, it once happened that a person had only tomato sauce,
and he used it as the cooked food for the Erub Tabshilin, as it is made from
cooked tomatoes. Pickled foods are suitable, as well, and thus one may
designate a jar of pickles for the Erub Tabshilin together with the bread or
Masa. The exception to this rule is food that is not ordinarily eaten at a meal
with bread, such as farina and the like. Such foods, according to Hacham Ovadia
Yosef, should not be used for the Erub Tabshilin.

There is a debate among the Halachic authorities as to the status of milk with
regard to Erub Tabshilin. Hacham Ben Sion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), in
his Or Le’sion (vol. 3, p. 215), ruled that pasteurization qualifies as
“cooking,” and thus milk and dairy products purchased in stores today are
considered “cooked” foods. Thus, for example, if a person drinks milk at the
Se’uda Mafseket (final meal) before Tisha B’Ab, when only a single cooked food
is allowed, he may not eat another cooked food. By the same token, milk and
dairy products may be used as the cooked food for the Erub Tabshilin. Hacham
Ovadia Yosef, however, disputes this ruling, and claims that pasteurization
differs from cooking. Boiling has the effect of eliminating bacteria in the
milk, but does not cause a fundamental change in its nature. “Cooking” for the
purposes of Halacha requires transforming the food in some way, and thus
pasteurization would not qualify. Accordingly, Hacham Ovadia rules that one may
drink milk and partake of another cooked food at the Se’uda Mafseket. It stands
to reason that he would also disqualify milk for the Erub Tabshilin, since it
is not considered Halachically “cooked.”

Summary: The Erub Tabshilin must consist of one baked food – customarily a
piece of bread or Masa – and one cooked food. It is best to use a significant
food, such as a piece of fish or meat, though strictly speaking, one may use
any food that has been cooked, roasted, poached or pickled. An egg may be used
as long as it is not peeled before it is eaten. Pasteurized milk does not
qualify as a cooked food. Regardless, as mentioned, it is preferable to use a
significant food such as fish or meat

Must a Guest Prepare an Erub Tabshilin?
When Yom Tob falls on Friday, one must prepare an
Erub Tabshilin on Thursday afternoon, before the onset of Yom Tob, in order to
allow cooking on Yom Tob in preparation for Shabbat. The question arises as to
whether a person who spends Yom Tob in a hotel must prepare an Erub Tabshilin.
After all, hotel guests do not cook food for Shabbat, as their food is provided
by the hotel catering staff, which prepares an Erub Tabshilin before Yom Tob to
allow them to cook food for Shabbat on Yom Tob. Seemingly, as the guests will
not be cooking at all in preparation for Shabbat, there is no need for them to
make an Erub Tabshilin before Yom Tob. This question also applies in the case
of a young couple spending Yom Tob with parents, who do all the food
preparations. In this case, too, the couple is not planning on cooking food for
Shabbat, seemingly obviating the need to prepare an Erub Tabshilin.

In truth, this issue is subject to a debate among the Rishonim (Medieval
Halachic scholars). Essentially, the question boils down to whether or not an
Erub Tabshilin is required to allow lighting Shabbat candles on Friday
afternoon when Friday is Yom Tob. Tosafot (Talmud commentaries by Medieval
French and German scholars), in Masechet Besa, as well as the Rosh (Rabbenu
Asher Ben Yehiel, Germany-Spain, 1250-1327), maintained that one who did not
prepare an Erub Tabshilin before Yom Tob on Thursday afternoon may not light
Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon. In their view, just as the Erub Tabshilin
is necessary to allow cooking food on Yom Tob for Shabbat, it is also needed to
allow lighting candles on Yom Tob for Shabbat. Indeed, some versions of the
Erub Tabshilin text make explicit reference to candle lighting as one of the
purposes of the Erub (“U’l’adlukeh Sheraga Mi’Yom Tob Le’Shabbat”). According
to this view, then, guests are required to prepare an Erub Tabshilin, despite
the fact that they have no need to cook for Shabbat, since they do need to
light candles for Shabbat.

The Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Maimonides, Spain-Egypt, 1135-1204), however, in his
discussion of Erub Tabshilin in Hilchot Yom Tob, makes no mention at all of
candle lighting being dependant upon the Erub. And Maran, in the Shulhan Aruch
(Orah Haim 527:19), writes explicitly that one may light Shabbat candles on
Friday even without having prepared an Erub Tabshilin before Yom Tob.
Therefore, Halacha does not require guests to prepare an Erub Tabshilin before
the onset of Yom Tob on Thursday, since they are not cooking and candle
lighting is permitted even without the Erub. Nevertheless, Hacham Ovadia Yosef
ruled that it is preferable for guests – whether at a hotel or at parents, or
in similar situations – to prepare an Erub without a Beracha in order to
satisfy all views. This means that they should take the Masa and cooked food
and recite the “Be’haden Eruba” text, without the introductory Beracha. This
ruling appears in Yalkut Yosef – Sefirat Ha’omer, p. 246 (listen to audio
recording for precise citation).

Summary: In a situation where Erub Tabshilin is required, guests who will not
be cooking on Yom Tob for Shabbat do not have to prepare an Erub Tabshilin.
Nevertheless, it is preferable for them to do so, but without reciting the
introductory Beracha

Does an Erub Tabshilin Allow Cooking on
the First Day of Yom Tob for Shabbat?
An Erub Tabshilin is required when Yom Tob occurs
immediately before Shabbat, in order to allow one to cook on Yom Tob in
preparation for Shabbat. Thus, when Yom Tob falls on Friday and Shabbat, we prepare an Erub Tabshilin on Thursday,
before Yom Tob, allowing us to cook on Friday in preparation for Shabbat.

The question arises as to how far this Halacha extends in situations where Yom
Tob is observed on Thursday and Friday. In such a case, of course, we prepare
an Erub Tabshilin before Yom Tob on Wednesday so we may prepare food on Yom Tob
for Shabbat. The question is, does the Erub Tabshilin allow us to cook for
Shabbat only on Friday, or may one cook already on Thursday – the first of the
two days of Yom Tob – in preparation for Shabbat?

The consensus among the Rishonim (Medieval Halachic scholars) is that the Erub
Tabshilin allows cooking for Shabbat only on the second day of Yom Tob, Friday.
The Rosh (Rabbenu Asher Ben Yehiel, 1250-1327) explains that the observance of
the second day of Yom Tob in the Diaspora applies only “Mi’de’rabbanan” (by
force of Rabbinic enactment), and not by force of Torah law, and therefore the
Sages permitted cooking on the second day for Shabbat through an Erub
Tabshilin. This does not apply on the first day, when cooking is forbidden by
the Torah. Others explain, quite simply, that cooking for Shabbat is only
permitted on Friday, the day immediately preceding Shabbat.

This is, indeed, the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef in his responsa (Yehaveh Da’at
6:32; listen to audio recording for precise citation). He emphasizes that this
ruling applies even if somebody is unable to cook for Shabbat on Friday due to
circumstances beyond his control. Even in such a case, the Erub Tabshilin does
not permit cooking on Thursday for Shabbat. However, he adds, if somebody
violated this Halacha and cooked on Thursday for Shabbat, the food is
permissible for consumption.

Summary: If Yom Tob falls on Thursday and Friday, we prepare an Erub Tabshilin
to allow cooking on Friday for Shabbat. One may not cook on Thursday for
Shabbat, even though he prepared an Erub Tabshilin

If a Person Realizes Upon Arriving in
the Synagogue That He Had Not Prepared an Erub Tabshilin
An Erub Tabshilin must be prepared before Yom Tob in
situations where Yom Tob immediately precedes Shabbat, in order to allow one to
cook on Yom Tob in preparation for Shabbat. The question arises concerning the
case of a person who arrives in the synagogue for Minha on Ereb Yom Tob and
realizes just then that he had forgotten to prepare an Erub Tabshilin. What
options are available for such a person if he does not have time to return home
and prepare the Erub Tabshilin before Yom Tob?

Some authorities rule that a person can prepare an Erub Tabshilin even in the
synagogue by designating food products in the home as the Erub. For example, if
he knows that there is a hardboiled egg in the refrigerator and a piece of
bread in a certain place in the kitchen, he can stand in the synagogue and make
the Erub declaration, stating that through such-and-such food items in
such-and-such place it would be permissible to cook and make preparations on
Yom Tob for Shabbat. Others, however, dispute this position, and claim that one
cannot recite the Erub Tabshilin declaration, which begins with the words
“Be’haden Eruba” (“With this Erub”), if the Erub is not present in front of
him.

In light of this debate, Hacham Ovadia Yosef rules that a person in this
situation should, if possible, call his wife and have her prepare the Erub
Tabshilin. If a person has no one at home to prepare the Erub, then he may rely
on the lenient position and prepare the Erub in the synagogue, as discussed.
However, in order to satisfy all opinions, he should stipulate that if this
preparation of the Erub is ineffective, then he relies on the Erub Tabshilin
prepared by the local Rabbi. The “Gadol Ha’ir” (leader of the community) has
the entire community in mind when he prepares his Erub Tabshilin, and thus one
may rely upon the Rabbi’s Erub Tabshilin when the need arises. As such, if a
person remembers upon arriving in the synagogue that he had not prepared an
Erub Tabshilin, he should designate the Erub in the synagogue but stipulate
that if this is ineffective then he relies on the Rabbi’s Erub.

Summary: In a situation where an Erub Tabshilin is required, one who remembers
upon arriving in the synagogue that he had not prepared an Erub Tabshilin
should designate the Erub in the synagogue, having in mind food products in his
home that he designates as the Erub. He should then stipulate that if Halacha
follows the view that this method is ineffective, then he relies on the Rabbi’s
Erub. He may then cook on Yom Tov in preparation for Shabbat according to all
opinions

Announcements

This Shabbat is 

Shabbat Parashat Tazria, 

Parashat HaChodesh 

& Rosh Chodesh 

1) We have 6 Aliyot in Parashat Tazria

2) We have the 7th Aliya in Parashat Rosh Chodesh

followed by Kadish

3) Aliya of Maftir in Parashat HaChodesh

followed by Kadish

The maftir will be the haftara of Hachodesh

with the 1st and last Passuk of Rosh Chodesh.

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Birkat Hailanot

this Sunday 

at 7:15 pm

at 28 Moor Lane

Family Marshall

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New Opportunity for learning

The Avrechim of the Kollel are able to learn with the Kahal 

from 6.50 til Arbit at 7.30 every evening

Need a partner?

contact Rabbi Stamler

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לחורף תשע"ט

Winter Timetable 5779 – 2018 / 19

Shabbat Services

Children’s Tehilim straight after Musaf

Anyone wishing to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

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Q & A on Parashat Tazria

 All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated.

Tazria

1. When does a woman who has given birth to a son go to the mikveh?
   12:2 – At the end of seven days.
2. After a woman gives birth, she is required to offer two types of offerings. Which are they?
   12:6 – An olah and a chatat.
3. What animal does the woman offer as a chatat?
   12:6 – A tor (turtle dove) or a ben yona (young pigeon).
4. Which of these offerings makes her tahor (ritual purity)?
   12:7 – The chatat.
5. Which of the sacrifices does the woman offer first, the olah or the chatat?
   12:8 – The chatat.
6. Who determines whether a person is a metzora tamei (person with ritually impure tzara'at) or is tahor?
   13:2 – A kohen.
7. If the kohen sees that the tzara'at has spread after one week, how does he rule?
   13:5 – The person is tamei.
8. What disqualifies a kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of tzara'at?
   13:12 – Poor vision.
9. Why is the appearance of tzara'at on the tip of one of the 24 "limbs" that project from the body usually unable to be examined?
   13:14 – The tzara'at as a whole must be seen at one time. Since these parts are angular, they cannot be seen at one time.
10. On which days is a kohen not permitted to give a ruling on tzara'at?
    13:14 – During the festivals; and ruling on a groom during the seven days of feasting after the marriage.
11. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow (e.g., the head or beard), what color hair is indicative of ritual impurity?
    13:29 – Golden.
12. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow, what color hair is indicative of purity?
    13:37 – Any color other than golden.
13. If the kohen intentionally or unintentionally pronounces a tamei person "tahor," what is that person's status?
    13:37 – He remains tamei.
14. What signs of mourning must a metzora display?
    13:45 – He must tear his garments, let his hair grow wild, and cover his lips with his garment.
15. Why must a metzora call out, "Tamei! Tamei! "?
    13:45 – So people will know to keep away from him.
16. Where must a metzora dwell?
    13:46 – Outside the camp in isolation.
17. Why is a metzora commanded to dwell in isolation?
    13:46 – Since tzara'at is a punishment for lashon hara (evil speech), which creates a rift between people, the Torah punishes measure for measure by placing a division between him and others.
18. What sign denotes tzara'at in a garment?
    13:49 – A dark green or dark red discoloration.
19. What must be done to a garment that has tzara'at?
    13:52 – It must be burned
20. If after washing a garment the signs of tzara'at disappear entirely, how is the garment purified?
    13:58 – Through immersion in a mikveh.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

 ברכת האילנות בשבת

השנה שנת התשע"ט, יחול יום ראש חודש ניסן ביום השבת הבא עלינו לטובה. ומאחר ונוהגים ומשתדלים לברך ברכת האילנות ביום ראש חודש ניסן, נבאר האם כאשר חל ראש חודש ניסן בשבת, יש לברך בשבת, או שמא יש להמתין עם הברכה עד ליום ראשון.

"שמא יתלוש"
ובראשית, עלינו לדון בזה מצד מה שהובא בגמרא במסכת סוכה (לז:), אמר רבה, הדס במחובר, מותר להריח בו, אתרוג במחובר אסור להריח בו. כלומר, הדס שאינו תלוש מן העץ, מותר להריח ממנו בשבת, אבל אתרוג המחובר לאילן, אסור להריח בו בשבת. ומסבירה הגמרא, מה טעם החילוק בין הדס לאתרוג? הדס, שעשוי רק להריח ממנו, אין לחשוש שמא יבוא לתלוש ממנו, מה שאין כן אתרוג, שהוא פרי, יש לחשוש יותר שמא זה שמריח ממנו בשבת, יבוא לתלוש ממנו. וכן פסקו כל הפוסקים. ומכאן משמע, שלגבי ברכת האילנות בשבת, בודאי שאין לאסור בזה משום חשש שמא יבוא לתלוש מפרחי האילנות, שהרי אין כאן פירות, ואפילו אם היו פירות, הרי אינו נוגע בהם כלל, ואינו מריח מהם, ולכן בודאי שאין לחוש שמא יתלוש מהם.

דברי רבי חיים פלאג'י
אמנם הגאון רבי חיים פלאג'י בספר מועד לכל חי (סימן א אות ח) כתב: "בעיר קושטא, נוהגים לברך ברכת האילנות אפילו בשבת ויום טוב. אבל בעירנו איזמיר, לא ראיתי ולא שמעתי מעולם שיברכו ברכת האילנות בשבת ויום טוב. ואם נאמר שהטעם לזה משום חשש שמא יקח בידו הפרחים להריח בהם, ושמא יתלוש, אם כן אפילו בקושטא יש להם לחוש שלא יברכו ברכת האילנות בשבת". עד כאן דבריו.

והנה לפי מה שמבואר בפוסקים, שאין לחוש שמא יתלוש מהאילנות, מאחר ואין כאן פירות, וגם אינו מריח מהם כלל, אם כן אין לחשוש למה שהעיר הגאון רבי חיים פלאג'י בזה, והעיקר להלכה כמו שנהגו בקושטא, שהיו מברכים ברכת האילנות אפילו בשבת. וכן כתבו הרבה מהאחרונים.

ומה שבאיזמיר ובעוד מקומות לא נהגו לברך ברכת האילנות בשבת, יש לבאר, על פי מה שכתב בשו"ת שמחת כהן (סימן קמב) להגאון רבי רחמים חי חויתה הכהן זצ"ל (עליו אמר לנו מרן זצוק"ל, שלא היה כמותו בדורינו, ושהיה גאון מובהק, ומאד היה מרן משבחו על גדולתו בתורה ובמדות מצויינות), שכנראה שנמנעו מכך, משום שיש צורך להוציא את הסידורים מבית הכנסת לפרדסים, כדי שיוכלו לברך מתוך הסידור, ולומר את נוסח היהי רצון וכו' שנוהגים לומר. ומאחר ובמקומותם בחוץ לארץ לא היה עירוב, ואסור היה לטלטל שום דבר מחוץ לבית הכנסת, לכן נמנעו מברכה זו. אבל במקום שיכולים לטלטל, או שאין צורך בסידורים, בודאי שרשאים לברך אף בשבת.

דברי כף החיים
אמנם הגאון רבי יעקב חיים סופר זצ"ל בספר כף החיים (סי' רכו אות ד) כתב בזו הלשון: בשבת, אין לברך ברכת האילנות, ונראה שלפי דברי המקובלים, שעל ידי ברכת האילנות מברר ניצוצי קדושה מן הצומח, יש איסור נוסף משום בורר בשבת. ולכן אסור לברך ברכת האילנות בשבת ויום טוב. עד כאן.

כלומר, מאחר ועל פי דברי המקובלים, ישנם "ניצוצות קדושה" בצומח, והניצוצות מתבררים מן הצומח על ידי הברכה וחוזרים למקומם הנכון, הרי שיש בדבר איסור משום "בורר" בשבת. ובספרו שו"ת באר מים חיים בכתב יד הוסיף על כך, שנשאל על זה, שהרי גם בכל הברכות והתפלות אנו מבררים ניצוצי קדושה, והשיב, שזהו לצורך אותה שעה, והרי הלכה בידינו, בורר אוכל לאלתר (לצורך מיידי) מותר.

ומרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצ"ל (שו"ת יחוה דעת ח"א סימן ב) תמה על כך מאד, שמנין לו להכף החיים שבענין רוחני כזה שייך בכלל דין בורר? והאריך מעט בזה, לדחות מכל וכל את דברי הכף החיים בזה, והסביר שאין לפסוק הלכות על פי עניני קבלה כגון אלה, ולכן העלה להלכה שמותר לברך ברכת האילנות בשבת.

ולמעשה, מרן זצ"ל בספרו חזון עובדיה על הלכות פסח (עמוד כג), כתב שכן יש לנהוג, לברך ברכת האילנות בשבת. והוסיף, שכן עשה מעשה בשנת התשנ"ה, שחל ראש חודש ניסן בפסח, "ובירכנו ברכת האילנות בשבת". (אולם לאחר מכן לפני מעט שנים, לא יצא מרן זצ"ל בשבת לברך ברכה זו, ואולי הוא מפני שלא רצה לטלטל את הסידורים כנ"ל, או מטעם אחר, אך להלכה אין לנו אלא כמו שכתב בספרו כנ"ל).

ולסיכום: אפשר לברך ברכת האילנות בשבת. ובפרט כאשר הציבור כולו מגיע לבית הכנסת בשבת, ויש לחוש שאם ימתינו עד אחר השבת, רבים לא יברכו בכלל, או שיברכו ביחידות, כאשר מוטב לברך בציבור, וברוב עם הדרת מלך.

The Blessing of the Trees on Shabbat

This year, 5779, Rosh Chodesh Nissan falls out on this coming Shabbat. Since many individuals try to recite the Blessing of the Trees immediately on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, let us discuss whether this blessing may be recited on Shabbat or perhaps it is better to postpone reciting it until Sunday.

“Lest One Detach”

The Opinion of Hagaon Harav Chaim Palagi

On the other hand, based on the words of the Poskim that there is no concern of detaching anything from the tree when there are no fruits present and since one is not smelling anything, there is therefore no room to be concerned with the issue that Hagaon Harav Chaim Palagi raises. Thus, the custom in Istanbul where they would recite this blessing even on Shabbat was the halachically correct custom. Many Acharonim rule likewise.

We can explain the reason behind the custom in Izmir and other places where it was customary not to recite the Blessing of the Trees on Shabbat based on the Responsa Simchat Kohen (Chapter 142) authored by Hagaon Harav Rahamim Hai Hwita Ha’Kohen zt”l (about whom Maran zt”l exclaimed that there was no one like him in our generation and that he was an astounding halachic genius and whom Maran would extol tremendously about his greatness in Torah and exemplary character traits) who writes that it seems that it is customary to abstain from this because Siddurim must be carried from the synagogue to the orchards in order to recite the blessing and the appropriate texts recited along with it. Since many places outside of Israel did not have an Eruv and it was forbidden to carry anything outside of the synagogue, they abstained from reciting this blessing on Shabbat. However, in places where carrying is permissible on Shabbat or if Siddurim are not necessary, the Blessing of the Trees may certainly be recited on Shabbat.

The Opinion of the Kaf Ha’Chaim

This means that since there is a Kabbalistic concept that there are “sparks of holiness” hidden within growing things and by reciting this blessing, one separates these sparks and they are able to ascend to their appropriate place in Heaven, this constitutes the prohibition of selecting on Shabbat. In the manuscripts of his Responsa Be’er Mayim Chaim, Hagaon Harav Sofer writes that he was asked that any blessings and prayers one recites likewise separate holy sparks so how is it that we can pray on Shabbat, to which he replied that this is necessary for that very moment and regarding the laws of selecting on Shabbat, the law is that selecting for immediate use is permissible.

Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l (in his Responsa Yechave Da’at, Volume 1, Chapter 2) wonders where the Kaf Ha’Chaim derived this law from that selecting on Shabbat applies to spiritual matters? Maran zt”l then writes somewhat lengthily to completely rebuff the opinion of the Kaf Ha’Chaim on this issue and writes that one should not rule on matters of Halacha based on such Kabbalistic concepts. He concludes that one may, in fact, recite the Blessing of the Trees on Shabbat.

Halachically speaking, Maran zt”l writes in his Chazon Ovadia-Pesach (page 23) that the proper custom is to indeed recite the Blessing of the Trees on Shabbat. He adds that he had actually done so in the year 5755 (1995) when Rosh Chodesh Nissan coincided with Shabbat. (Nevertheless, several years ago shortly before his passing, Maran zt”l did not go and recite the Blessing of the Trees on Shabbat which coincided with Rosh Chodesh Nissan; perhaps this was because he did not wish to carry the Siddur or for some other reason. Nonetheless, the Halacha clearly follows the ruling stated in Maran’s works.)

Summary: The Blessing of the Trees may be recited on Shabbat. This is especially true since the entire congregation attends the synagogue on Shabbat and there is concern that if they postpone reciting this blessing until after Shabbat, many individuals may not recite this blessing at all or that some will recite this blessing alone (without the presence of a Minyan) when it is actually preferable to recite this blessing along with a large congregation.

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