CHANNAH CARE

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well and enjoying Pesach, and for those travelling, to have safe and enjoyable trips.

Mazal Tov to Brian on his birthday this week. Wishing you a happy and healthy year Brian. I think I wished you a bit too early last week, but blessings are always useful BEH.

Mazal Tov to Aaron for his birthday next week. Wishing you a wonderful successful year Aaron. I hope all is going well.

There is an interesting Mitzva that we do at this time of year in spring time, in the month of Nissan, which is to make a once a year blessing on a blossoming fruit tree.

This year this Mitzva has had an added dimension for us for the following reason:

About 5 years ago Channah took the pip of an apple and planted it in a little flower pot.

Since then she has been CAREFULLY NURTURING the little plant which sprouted, making sure to give it the right amount of water and keeping it in the optimal place for sunlight and growth.

As the plant grew it was transferred into larger pots, and eventually was transferred into our garden.

It was carefully looked after with supports, watering, fertiliser, keeping away the foxes and insects. The foxes attempted to dig holes near the tree and we had to get wire mesh to protect it.

BH the tree is now a considerable size, looking very healthy and no longer needing any physical support.

And guess what we saw last week for the first time?

ONE SMALL BUNCH OF BLOSSOMS!!!

Which means that one or two apples are on their way BEH!

And so today I made the Nissan Blessing on Blossoming Fruit Trees in our own garden for the first time BH!

See photo attached, and thank you Channah for the special CARE that you have devoted to this tree (and more) for 5 years!

For those who would like to say this brochah, if you can find a fruit blossom tree, the text is as follows:

"Baruch Atah Ad. Elokeinu Melech haolam shelo chaser beolamo klum uvara vo brios tovos veilanos tovos lehanos bahem bnei adam."

"Blessed are you L-rd our G-d, King of the Univertse, Who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees, to give mankind pleasure."

Wishing everyone a Gut Yom Tov and a Gut Shabbos, taking much care!