Sunday, November 6, 2011

The berachah on besamim, when one has a cold

Hi,

Does one recite the berachah on besamim at Havdalah, if he cannot smell them due to a cold?

One who cannot smell should not recite a berachah on besamim, even if he is reciting Havdalah on behalf of a group; the others in the group should recite the berachah for themselves, before they smell the besamim.

If some in the group are unable to recite a berachah, then the leader should recite the berachah on their behalf despite his cold. He should only do so after drinking the wine from Havdalah, though.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 297:5; Har Tzvi Orach Chaim 1:37; Mishneh Halachos 15:89; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 61:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

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