#176: Besamim (Part 2)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. With regard to the proper text of the berachah, Ashkenazim always say "Borei Minei Besamim" since this berachah is valid for all types of spices. Sephardim recite the proper berachah for each type as one would recite at any other time smelling them: On regular spices, one recites "Borei Minei Besamim," on herbs one recites "Borei Isvei [from eisev, grass] Besamim," and on nice smelling plants, one recites "Borei Atzei Besamim." (Mishnah Berurah 297:1; Kaf Hachaim 297:31)
  2. Some recommend designating a special spice solely for use as besamim on Motzai Shabbat, though most hold this is not an absolute requirement (Mishnah Berurah 297:10).

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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.