HANC’s bracha on trees

First graders in Morah Katz’s class at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School, in West Hempstead, took their siddurim on a walk to a blossoming blueberry bush so that they could perform the mitzvah of “Blessing the Trees,” which is done during the month of Nisan, when fruit trees begin to bloom.

Before the children left on their walk, Mrs. Katz told the students about the Midrash in Masechet Ta’anit that tells the story of a traveler who sits under a shady fruit tree and then wants to bless the tree for giving him shade and fruit to eat.

The traveler debates how to bless the tree for he already has shade, he is already surrounded by water and he already has fruit.

In the end the traveler blesses the tree that all of its saplings should also provide shade and sweet fruit. Morah Katz explained to the students that it is always important to thank Hashem for everything that He has created for us.