Birkat HaGomel
From Halachipedia
In the times of the Beit Hamikdash, a person who survived a potentially life-threatening situation brought a Korban Todah, a Thanksgiving Offering, to express his gratitude to Hashem.[1] Nowadays, when the Beit Hamikdash no longer stands and offerings cannot be brought on the altar, we substitute a public proclamation of gratitude to Hashem for an offering. A survivor from a life endangering situation as defined by the Gemara recites Birkat Hagomel in gratitude.
Bracha
Source
- The Gemara Brachot 54b states: "One who has completed a sea voyage; one who has traveled through the desert; one who has been sick and healed; and one who was imprisoned and freed."
Obligation
- Some say that Birkat HaGomel is non-obligatory and only optional, however, others argue that it's an absolute obligation. Nonetheless, all agree that given the oppurtunity, one should be careful to make this bracha properly. [2]
Who
Birchat HaGomel
Who is obligated to make Birchat HaGomel?
- Thef our people who are obligated to make the Bracha are
- Someone who was freed from jail
- Someone who was sick and was healed
- Someone who traveled at sea
- Someone who traveled in the desert. [3]
- Some say that anyone who in near mortal danger such as someone saved from a wall collapsing, a loin attack, a goring ox, or a band of thieves at night, must make a Bracha. The ashkenazic minhag is like this opinion. [4] For specific situations see a posek. [5]
- Ashkenazim hold that no Bracha is made for traveling fro city to city unless there’s a lot of wild animals or thieves. However, Sephardim hold that any travel from city to city obligates a Bracha if the trip was a Parsah (72 minutes). [6]
- Some say not to make Brachat HaGomel for traveling on an airplane since it’s considered safe, however many hold that HaGomel is required and such is the minhag. [7]
- For sickness that’s of potential mortal danger, the brachat HaGomel is required when healed. For sickness that’s non-mortal but confines a person to bed for 3 days or more requires a Brachat HaGomel when healed. [8]
Where
- Given that Birkat Hagomel is a public expression of gratitude, it cannot be said in private.
When
Notes
- ↑ Vayikra 7:12
- ↑ According to the Magen Avraham (OC 219:1), Birkat Hagomel, like the Korban Todah, is non obligatory but rather optional. The Peri Megadim (OC 219:1) argues that it is obligatory. Nevertheless, all poskim (Chasam Sofer O.C. 51, Minchas Yitzchok 4:11-9) urge one to be careful to fulfill this mitzvah given the opportunity.
- ↑ S”A 219:1
- ↑ S”A 219:9, Mishna Brurah 219:32
- ↑ See also Piskei Teshuvot 218, Halichot Shlomo 23:1
- ↑ S”A 219:7, Yalkut Yosef 219:17
- ↑ Vezot HaBracha pg 158 quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman and Rav Moshe Feinstein as requiring a Bracha, and Minchat Yitzchak as arguing.
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 219:28
