#178: Besamim (Part 3)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. One may use any type of pleasant-smelling substance for besamim so long as one recites a berachah when smelling it at other times as well. This includes spices, herbs, and plants (see posting from last week as to the proper text of the berachah for the different types). However, air freshener may not be used, since it only removes a bad smell, but does not give off a pleasant smell (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 297:2).
  2. Poskim disagree whether a berachah may be recited on artificial fragrances, such as perfume made from synthetic sources. Many Ashkenazi poskim do not allow reciting a berachah on them (e.g., Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 61:32), while R. Ovadia Yosef and R. Benzion Abba Shaul do allow their use (Ohr L’tzion 2:14:38; Chazon Ovadia, Berachot p.313).

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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.