558. Concluding the Laws of Brachos

Brachos 11:15

When taking the lulav, one recites the bracha that God commanded us “regarding taking the lulav.” This text is used because one fulfills his obligation when he picks up the lulav. If he recites the bracha before taking the lulav, then he should use the text “to take the lulav,” the same way that one recites “to sit in the sukkah.” From this we see that one who recites a bracha after performing a mitzvah uses the text “regarding (such-and-such mitzvah).” When it comes to washing the hands and ritual slaughter, since these are voluntary mitzvos, even if one slaughters an animal for himself, he recites the brachos that God commanded us “regarding slaughter,” “regarding covering the blood,” and “regarding washing the hands.” Similarly, one recites the bracha that God commanded us “regarding the destruction of chometz" whether he searches for chometz for himself or for others. This text is used because once a person has decided to renounce his ownership of the chometz, the mitzvah of destroying it is fulfilled even before he searches for it. (This will be discussed further in the laws of Passover.)

Brachos 11:16

A bracha is not recited when performing customs, even customs that were established by the prophets, like taking the willow branches on Hoshana Rabbah. It should go without saying that a bracha is not recited over customs instituted by the Sages, such as reciting Hallel on Rosh Chodesh and on chol hamoed Pesach. [Editor’s note: This does not reflect our practice.] Whenever there is a doubt as to whether or not something requires a bracha, a bracha should not be recited. One should always be careful not to recite unnecessary brachos but one should recite numerous brachos that are required, as per Psalms 145:2, “I will bless you each day.”