#175: Besamim (Part 1)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. The next step of the Havdalah ceremony after reciting the berachah of “Borei Pri Hagafen” on the wine is the mitzvah of smelling besamim. The main reason given is that we lose our "neshamah yeteirah" (extra soul) that we have on Shabbat and smelling spices helps raise our spirits. (Tosafot, Beitzah 33b)
  2. The one reciting Havdalah recites the berachah on the besamim and sniffs them. Others should listen to the berachah and recite Amen, and wait, without talking, for the besamim to be passed around to smell. One who is concerned that he or she will not be able to smell the besamim until after the berachah on the fire may wait until after Havdalah and then recite the berachah separately afterward (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 61:8).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.