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Birkat HaGomel: Difference between revisions
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==Obligation== | ==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 opportunity, one should be careful to make this bracha properly. <ref>The source of Birkat HaGomel is the Gemara Brachot 54b which states that one who has completed a sea voyage, traveled through the desert, has been sick and healed, or was imprisoned and freed should thank Hashem in the form of Birkat HaGomel all based on the pasuk “They strayed in the wilderness, in the desolation of the road… Hungry as well as thirsty… They rise heavenward, they descend to the depths.” (Tehillim 107:4 | # 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 opportunity, one should be careful to make this bracha properly. <ref>The source of Birkat HaGomel is the Gemara Brachot 54b which states that one who has completed a sea voyage, traveled through the desert, has been sick and healed, or was imprisoned and freed should thank Hashem in the form of Birkat HaGomel all based on the pasuk “They strayed in the wilderness, in the desolation of the road… Hungry as well as thirsty… They rise heavenward, they descend to the depths.” (Tehillim 107:4,5, and 26). 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. </ref> | ||
==Who is obligated to make Birchat HaGomel?== | ==Who is obligated to make Birchat HaGomel?== | ||
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==For traveling== | ==For traveling== | ||
# Ashkenazim hold that no Bracha is made for traveling from 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). <Ref>S”A 219:7, Yalkut Yosef 219:17 </ref> | # Ashkenazim hold that no Bracha is made for traveling from 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). <Ref>S”A 219:7, Yalkut Yosef 219:17. Ramban Berachot 54b says that one has to say hagomel for traveling the minimum distance, regardless of the extent of the danger involved because the Yerushalmi in Berachot 4:4 says all roads are assumed to be dangerous. Meiri on Berachot 54b quotes an opinion with which he himself disagrees that claims that it is only recited if one encountered serious danger during the traveling. Talmidei Rabbeinu Yona on the Dapei HaRif 43a on Berachot quote the custom of the French rabbis saying that one should only recite it when they travel on a dangerous road even if they don't encounter any trouble and this is quoted in S"A 219:7 as the practice of the germans and french. </ref> | ||
# 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. <Ref>Vezot HaBracha pg 158 quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman and Rav Moshe Feinstein as requiring a Bracha, and Minchat Yitzchak (2:47) as arguing. Sh"t Igrot Moshe 2:59, Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:26, and Halichot Shlomo (Tefillah 23:5) hold that one should make Birkat Hagomel for traveling in an airplane. http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=2132 specifies that for Sephardim one must travel 72 minutes in order to make a Birkat Hagomel. </ref> | # 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. <Ref>Vezot HaBracha pg 158 quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman and Rav Moshe Feinstein as requiring a Bracha, and Minchat Yitzchak (2:47) as arguing. Sh"t Igrot Moshe 2:59, Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:26, and Halichot Shlomo (Tefillah 23:5) hold that one should make Birkat Hagomel for traveling in an airplane. http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=2132 specifies that for Sephardim one must travel 72 minutes in order to make a Birkat Hagomel. </ref> | ||
