Is the spice blessing required as part of Havdalah, and must one seek out spices if none are available?
Synopsis
The Mechaber rules that spices are blessed when available but one need not search for them. The Mishnah Berurah and Aruch HaShulchan explain this is because the spice blessing is a rabbinic custom to revive the extra soul, not a core Havdalah obligation.
More in Havdalah — Time and Conditions
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