Are Women Obligated—or Permitted—to Recite Birchas Ilanos [the Blessing Over Blossoming Fruit Trees] in the Month of Nissan?

Question

I mentioned to my friends that I was searching for a blossoming fruit tree in order to recite the blessing (Birkat Ilanot) during the month of Nissan. Some of them responded that women are not accustomed to reciting this blessing, and that it is only said by men. Is this accurate?

Answer

This is not accurate. It is permitted and customary for women to recite the blessing over newly blossoming fruit trees during the month of Nissan, just as men do. This applies to both Ashkenazi and Sephardic women. Nonetheless, some Sephardic women have the custom to fulfill their obligation by listening to the blessing recited by their husbands and answering amen, though this is a custom and not a requirement.

Explanation

The discussion regarding women reciting Birkat Ilanot touches upon the broader halachic concept of mitzvot aseh she‑hazman grama—positive commandments that are dependent on time. As is well known, women are generally exempt from such commandments. Furthermore, according to many Rishonim—and this was the original Sephardic ruling—women who are exempt from a time‑dependent mitzvah should not recite a blessing when performing it voluntarily.

This leads to the key question: Is the blessing over blossoming fruit trees considered a time‑dependent commandment?

Practically speaking, the halachic conclusion is that it is not considered a classic mitzvah she‑hazman grama. The obligation is not triggered by a fixed calendar date, but rather by a natural occurrence—the seasonal blossoming of fruit trees. It is not “the time” that obligates the blessing, but rather the reality on the ground that fruit trees are blossoming. Therefore, it does not fall under the standard exemption of time‑dependent commandments.

Additionally, Birkat Ilanot is fundamentally a blessing of praise, thanking Hashem for renewing His world and creations. Women are fully permitted to recite blessings of praise, even when they are connected to a particular time or season.

Even without this reason, it is certainly permitted for Ashkenazi women to recite the blessing, as Ashkenazic practice—following the Rema and many Rishonim—allows women to recite blessings even on mitzvot from which they are exempt. Moreover, even according to the Sephardic approach, which was originally more stringent, there is ample halachic basis to be lenient here for the reasons outlined above.

Accordingly, the practical and widespread custom today is that women—both Sephardic and Ashkenazi—may and do recite the blessing over blossoming fruit trees in the month of Nissan. Nevertheless, some Sephardic women follow a more stringent custom and prefer to hear the blessing from their husbands, fulfilling it through listening, though this is not obligatory.

Sources:

See Har Tzevi 226; Or Letziyon 2 p. 67 [recite blessing]; Yalkut Yosef Brachos p. 619; Kol Torah Sivan 5763 p. 85; Yayin Hatov O.C. 43; Nitei Gavriel Pesach 6:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 226:1; Emunas Itecha Volume 147 p. 17; Rav Yaakov Yosef says a woman may say as it is a Sfek Sfeika [similar to Pesukei Dezimra], although bets to hear from husband.

See regarding women reciting a Bracha on Zeman Grama Mitzvos that they are  exempt from: Admur 589:2; 17:3; Rama 589:6; Taz 658:9; M”A 658:11; M”B 655:1; Rabbeinu Tam R”H 33a; Ran; Rosh in name of Mahritz Geios; Tur 589; Ritva Sukkah 2; Rashba 123; Maggid Mishneh Shofar 2 in name of Rashba; Shut Min Hashamayim 1; Birkeiy Yosef 654:2; Yosef Ometz 82; See Kaf Hachaim 17:4; 589:23 Other Opinions-Sefaradim: Some Poskim rule that women may never recite a blessing over any Mitzvah that they are not obligated in. [Michaber 589:6; Beis Yosef 589; Rambam Hilchos Tzitzis; Igur in name of Reb Yeshaya; Rashi, brought in Hagahos on Rambam; Chacham Tzevi] The Michaber ibid rules that they cannot say a blessing as Safek Brachos Lihakel. [Beis Yosef 589] The Birkeiy Yosef ibid states that after seeing the answer from heaven in Shut Min Hashamayim he retracted from ruling like the Michaber and would tell women to recite a blessing. He concludes that if the Michaber would have seen the Shut Min Hashamayim certainly he too would have retracted his ruling.

See regarding women reciting a Bracha on Birchas Hashevach: Kaf Hachaim 70:1 that so is the custom; Or Letziyon 2:86-18; Halichos Shlomo 7:2 in name of Rav SZ”A; Tzitz Eliezer 9:2; Michzeh Eliyahu 1:16; Piskeiy Teshuvos 70 footnote 6