Laws of Blessings (Adv.)
Crash Course in Jewish Blessings
9 min read
15 min read
Special brachot said on the wonders of creation.
The breathtaking magnificence of our natural world inspires us to praise God with wonder and appreciation. Therefore, in addition to blessings on food and fragrances, the Sages ordained blessings over various natural phenomena.
This class will cover blessings said over the following:
Before we get to the specific blessings, here are some general guidelines that apply to all these brachot:
Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, a leader of German Jewry in the 20th century, was not a man known for vacationing. Yet in his later years, he expressed a strong desire to visit the Swiss Alps, explaining that after he passes away, the Heavenly Tribunal will ask, "Shimshon, did you see My Alps?"
In fact, a great rabbi has been purported as saying that in the Messianic era, the majestic Alps will be transferred to the Land of Israel so that the Jewish people can always take pleasure in their beauty.5
Due to the awe-inspiring nature of beautiful mountains, the Sages prescribed the following blessing:6
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Some guidelines:
It is a good idea to memorize this particular blessing, for as we will see, this same text is recited on other natural phenomena such as deserts, lightning, earthquakes, hurricanes, astronomical phenomena and impressive bodies of water. Throughout this class, we'll refer to this blessing as "Oseh Ma'aseh Veraishit."
Nothingness. Emptiness. Loneliness. Solitude.
These are the feelings that come to mind when we observe a desert. Yet the most important event in Jewish history – the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai – occurred in the desert.11 God did so in order to teach us that one who wants to totally connect with Torah must "make himself like a desert"12 – to discard any preconceived notions and open oneself up to the truth. In this way, a desert is a special source of inspiration.
The blessing Oseh Ma'aseh Veraishit should be recited upon seeing a desert for the first time in 30 days.13
The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai was amidst thunder and lightning.14 As we've all experienced in an electrical storm, there is something awesomely dramatic about the momentary illumination of the skies, followed by a deafening boom.
Immediately upon seeing lightning during a storm,15 you should recite the blessing Oseh Ma'aseh Veraishit.16 (It is not necessary to see the actual bolt of lightning.)17
The Sages instituted a separate blessing – She'kocho Oog'vuraso Malay Olam – to be said immediately upon hearing thunder:18
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There is something awesome about the celestial bodies that inspire every observer.21 King David proclaimed: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse of the sky tells of His handiwork" (Psalms 19:2).
The blessing Oseh Ma'aseh Veraishit is recited upon observing a comet, shooting star22 or meteor shower.23
A new blessing is not recited if the same phenomenon is sighted again within 30 days. If multiple comets or shooting stars are seen during one night, only one blessing is recited.
No blessing is recited upon viewing an eclipse24 since the Sages consider an eclipse a bad omen.25
In Jewish consciousness, whenever a natural phenomenon occurs, God is sending a message to the Jewish people. One of the ways that God urges humanity to better their actions is by sending earthquakes and strong winds.26
Upon experiencing either an earthquake or strong and stormy (but not extraordinarily fierce) winds, recite the recite the blessing Oseh Ma'aseh Veraishit.27
Have you ever stood at the ocean shore and felt infinitesimal and humbled before the awesome expanse? Upon seeing an impressive natural river (such as the Euphrates or the Nile) or sea (such as the Mediterranean),28 you should recite the blessing Oseh Ma'aseh Veraishit.29
There is a special blessing – She'asa Et Ha'yam Ha'gadol – recited upon seeing an ocean:30
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If the same body of water is sighted within 30 days, a new blessing is not recited.31 A new blessing may be recited if another body of water is seen,32 unless it was seen on the same day.33 One who sees such bodies of water on a regular basis does not say these blessings.34
No blessing is recited upon seeing a waterfall.35
When God sent a flood to destroy the world in the days on Noah, He promised there would never be another flood, and designated the rainbow as an eternal sign of this promise.36 In that sense, seeing a rainbow today is a negative sign, alluding that the world is deserving of punishment were it not for the promise.37
Upon seeing a complete38 rainbow, recite the bracha Zocher Ha'brit:39
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Upon seeing a strikingly beautiful person, animal, bird or tree for the first time, you should recite the blessing She'kacha Lo B'olamo.42 However, due to some doubt as to what objectively qualifies as an "beautiful creature," the blessing is recited without the mention of God's name.43
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Upon seeing impressive, exotic animals (e.g. elephants, monkeys or apes),44 recite the blessing Mishaneh Ha'briyot:45
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Upon viewing multiple exotic animals in a zoo, only one blessing is said – while having in mind all the others that will be seen.46
Upon seeing a person with a strikingly unusual physical feature (that was present since birth), you should recite the blessing Mishaneh Ha'briyot (the same blessing said above on exotic animals):
If you did not see a close friend or relative for 30 days (and you did not hear any communication about him),50 you should recite She'hecheyanu upon seeing him. In practice, this is said only if the person is very close to you and it makes you extremely happy to see him (e.g. parent, child, spouse).51
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Upon seeing a friend who has recovered from a life-threatening illness, recite the bracha B'rich Racha'mana:
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The Torah says that 600,000 Jews stood at Mount Sinai, and the Kabbalists say that these are the 600,000 roots souls of every Jew who has lived since.54 Upon seeing 600,000 Jews at once, recite the bracha Chacham Ha'razim:55
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Upon seeing a non-Jewish ruler who has the power to pardon people sentenced to death, such as the president of the United States or the Queen of England,56 recite the bracha She'natan Mee'kivodo:57
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The wisdom contained in Torah has served as the basis for all of Western civilization and for the three major religions.60 In order to imbue us with this appreciation, the blessing She'chalak May'chach'mato is recited upon seeing an outstanding Torah scholar:61
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This blessing is rarely recited nowadays, as it is only said upon a world-renowned Torah scholar who excels in both wisdom and is truly God-fearing.62 Perhaps an example of such an individual in recent times was Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, an elderly scholar who lived in Jerusalem.63 Even if you don't usually see Torah scholars of such magnitude, it is a good idea to become familiar with this blessing, since we will eventually need to recite it upon greeting the Messiah.64
What is a miracle? Can you possibly imagine the idea of a tiny seed being thrown into the ground, and before you know it a sweet, juicy orange is popping out of a piece of wood? The difference between what we call "nature" and what we call a "miracle" is a matter of frequency. As one witicist commented, "Niagara Falls is nice. But the real excitement would be to see it flowing the other way."
If you ever experienced a miracle and were saved from imminent danger, then upon returning to that spot, recite the blessing She'asa Lee Nase:65
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Upon visiting a place where a miraculous rescue occurred for either your parent, your ancestors,66 your Torah teacher,67 or the majority68 of the Jewish people,69 recite the following blessing:
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A number of blessings are recited upon seeing various manifestations of death, destruction and restoration.
A. Cemeteries
Upon seeing a Jewish cemetery or multiple Jewish graves together, recite the blessing Asher Yatzar Et'chem Ba'din70 that is printed in the Siddur, or on page 6 of the PDF file accompanying this class.
Upon seeing a non-Jewish cemetery, one should recite the verse in Jeremiah 50:12 (ending "...the nations are a wilderness, a wasteland, a desert").75
B. Destroyed Synagogue
Upon seeing a destroyed synagogue, you should recite the following bracha (without the name of God):76
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C. Restored Synagogue
Upon seeing a beautiful synagogue that was restored after being destroyed, recite the blessing Matziv G'vul Almana (without the name of God):77
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For those who have the opportunity to visit the Old City of Jerusalem, there is a wonderful new opportunity to say this bracha. The Churva Synagogue was Jerusalem's main Ashkenazi synagogue from the 16th until the 20th century, when it was reduced to rubble by Jordanian soldiers during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. In 1978, a high stone arch was erected where the Churva once stood, and this became a contemporary landmark of the Jewish Quarter's central square. The synagogue was rebuilt to its former glory, and rededicated in 2010.