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Rav Yehudah says that one who sees blossoming fruit trees during the month of Nisan recites a special blessing. What conditions are necessary in order to recite this blessing?
(a) The HILCHOS KETANOS (2:28), cited by the BE'ER HEITEV (OC 226:1), rules that one recites this blessing only for a tree that bears edible fruit.
(b) Although the Gemara says that one recites the blessing when he sees the tree during the month of Nisan, the RITVA writes that the blessing is not limited specifically to Nisan. One may recite a blessing when he sees a blossoming fruit tree at the beginning of the season in which trees blossom in that particular region, such as in the month of Tishrei in the southern hemisphere.
(c) The Acharonim accept this ruling (MACHATZIS HA'SHEKEL). (However, the BIRKEI YOSEF writes that based on Kabalistic reasons one should recite the blessing specifically during the month of Nisan.) Why does the Gemara say that the blessing should be recited during the month of Nisan? Perhaps the Gemara means that one should not recite the blessing for trees that blossom early, but only for trees that blossom in the season in which most trees blossom.
We explore those "kabbalistic reasons"...