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Laws related to Berachot
In a recent Halacha Yomit you mentioned that according to many opinions the Beracha on cloves is Bore Mine Besamim. Can you please explain why? On which other spices does one recite Bore Mine Besamim?
The Beracha of “Bore Mine Besamim” is recited on spices that don’t fit into any of the general categories. On aromatic fruit, we say the blessing “HaNoten Reah Tov BaPerot” (who placed aroma in fruit). On aromatic tree branches, we say the blessing “Bore Atze Besamim” (who created aromatic trees). On aromatic plants and herbs, we say the blessing “Bore Isbe Besamim” (who created aromatic grasses). The Beracha on musk (which comes from an animal) is “Bore Mine Besamim” (who created various spices). This is because it does not fit into any of the other categories (Shulhan Aruch OH 216:2). The discussion regarding cloves, although they technically are “Atze Besamim” (aromatic trees) is due to the fact that today they are grown mainly for the purpose of food. According to Hacham Ben Tziyon Abba Shaul and others that would turn their Beracha into the general Bore Mine Besamim, while Hacham Ovadia Yosef maintains that one should still recite Bore Atze Besamim.