Reply To: did you make a shehecheyanu on carob?

From a note of Rabbi C.M.I. Hodakov, dated the eve of the 15th of Shevat, 5718, Brooklyn, NY

I asked the [Lubavitcher] Rebbe if Shehecheyanu should be made on Bokser (carob), and the Rebbe answered that in Russia they would make the Brocho Shehecheyanu on carob.

Vetzorich iyun gadol on the Rebbe’s comments, as the blessing is not said on fruits that are available year round, as mentioned earlier. Plus, on RH there is no obligation me’ikar hadin to have new fruits, and the blessing “…lazmen hazeh” would be intoned even if no such fruits were available, and would not be a bracha l’vatala c”v. What does that have to do with Tu B’Shvat? And how is it relevant that the blessing was recited in Russia? Vetzorich iyun gadol on what the Rebbe meant, if the Rebbe was actually paskening to say the bracha or just commenting. [To note that the Lubavitcher Rebbe was not a posek.]