Fragrance blessings

In Judaism, fragrance blessings or Blessings on pleasant scents (Hebrew: ברכות הריח) are a category of Birkat ha-nehenin. These specific blessings are recited prior to smelling a pleasant fragrance, in a manner analogous to blessings before food.

Source and nature of the blessing

Although scent is an intangible and non-nutritive pleasure, the Talmud teaches that it nonetheless warrants a blessing. This is derived from the verse:

Let every soul praise the Lord

— Psalms, 150:6

, which the sages interpreted as referring specifically to smell: “What is something from which the soul derives benefit, but the body does not? It is fragrance.”

Unlike blessings over food, the Sages did not institute a corresponding after-blessing (berakhah acharonah) for scents. The reason given is that the pleasure from scent dissipates immediately and leaves no residual enjoyment.

Several halachic criteria determine when a blessing over scent is required:

• The scent must be intended for pleasure. For example, if a person walks past a garden planted for aesthetic and olfactory enjoyment, they must recite a blessing when deriving pleasure from the smell. Similarly, one who passes by a perfume store and consciously enjoys the fragrance must recite a blessing, even if they do not intend to purchase anything.

• If the source of the scent is primarily designated for another use, one does not recite a blessing unless they actively pick it up for the purpose of smelling it. Doing so transforms it into a scent object ad hoc.

• Scents intended to mask unpleasant odors do not require a blessing, even if the person chooses to smell them directly.

• If a person smells a pleasant scent emanating from an orchard whose primary purpose is agricultural, they generally do not recite a blessing, unless they approach with the intention of enjoying the fragrance. In such a case, the conscious act of intent gives halachic significance to the smell.

Forms of blessings

The specific formulation of the blessing recited over a pleasant scent depends on the origin and nature of the fragrant item. The Talmud and halakha enumerate five primary categories, each with a distinct blessing:

Borei Minei Besamim (Who creates various kinds of spices)

This general blessing is used for aromatic substances that do not fall under the classifications of herbs or trees—for instance, synthetic fragrances, animal-based perfumes, or unspecified blends. The formula is:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates various kinds of spices (borei minei vesamim).

This blessing functions as a default, akin to the "Shehakol" blessing over food. It is valid post factum if the appropriate category is unknown or misidentified. In the Havdalah ceremony on Saturday night, Ashkenazi Jews generally use this blessing regardless of the substance used, due to concerns that the public may err in distinguishing the categories. By contrast, Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews strive to match each type of fragrance with its proper blessing.

Borei Atzei Besamim (Who creates trees of spices)

Used when the fragrant item is halachically considered a tree (even if botanically not classified as such), for example, myrtle (hadas). The blessing is:

Blessed are You... who creates trees of spices (borei atzei vesamim).

This blessing is also applicable to natural olive oil that emits its native scent and has not been mixed with external ingredients.

Borei Isbei Besamim (Who creates herbs of spices)

For fragrant herbs and shrubs (not trees), the appropriate formula is:

Blessed are You... who creates herbs of spices (borei isvei vesamim).

Hanosein Reiach Tov Bapeirot (Who gave a pleasant scent to fruits)

When the source of fragrance is an edible fruit (either whole or as part of a mixture), the blessing is:

Blessed are You... who gave a pleasant scent to fruits (hanoten re'ah tov baperot).

This blessing is only recited when the fruit is taken explicitly to be smelled. If the fruit is handled for eating and its scent is merely incidentally enjoyed, no blessing is said.

Borei Shemen Areiv (Who creates pleasant oil)

For the scent of persimmon oil (shemen afarsimon), the Sages prescribed the blessing:

Blessed are You... who creates pleasant oil (borei shemen arev).

Commentators differ as to why this oil merits a unique blessing. Some explain it is due to its high quality and prominence, while others argue it is because its scent is artificially absorbed and thus of lesser status.

Some authorities hold that even oil infused with spices and then filtered requires this blessing. Nevertheless, due to halachic uncertainty, the Shulchan Aruch recommends avoiding intentional smelling of such oil.

Shenatan Re'ah Tov Bapat (Who gave a pleasant scent to bread)

There is a minority opinion that one may recite:

Blessed are You... who gave a pleasant scent to bread (shenatan re'ah tov bapat)

when enjoying the smell of freshly baked bread. However, the majority view holds that this is not a significant fragrance and therefore no blessing should be said.

Scents that do not require a blessing

No blessing is recited in the following cases:

• Scents meant to neutralize unpleasant odors (e.g., near a corpse or toilet).
• Residual fragrance absorbed into utensils or clothing, without a present source.
• Fragrance emanating from a woman (due to modesty concerns).
• Incense offered to idolatry or associated with pagan feasts.
• The smell of an etrog (citron) during the seven days of Sukkot is not blessed upon, due to disagreement among authorities.