Birkat HaGomel: Difference between revisions
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#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> | #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> | ||
===Women=== | ===Women=== | ||
#The Ashkenazic minhag is that women don’t make HaGomel <ref>Mishna Brurah 219:3, Sh"t Halachot Ketanot 2:161, Aruch Hashulchan 219:6, Sh"t Beer Moshe 4:22. see also Sh"t Teshuvot Vihanhagot 4:53. See also Iggerot Mosh 5:14 where argues with those who claim that she should say it in front of ten women and instead suggests saying it in front of one person. If she is married, it should be her husband. </ref> Sephardic women, however, do recite Hagomel.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 219:7 (and [[Brachot]] p. 572), Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:14-15, Sh"t Yabia Omer 8:23:15, [http://halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDisplayRead.asp?readID=1833 HalachaYomit.co.il] write that women do recite Hagomel. Kaf Hachaim 219:3 writes that it should only be recited in front of ten male relatives and adds that if there aren't ten men, it should be recited without shem umalchut. See also Ben Ish Chai Parashat Ekev 65 </ref> A woman who has the custom to recite it should wait seven days after giving birth to do so.<ref>Kaf Hachaim 219:7 </ref> | #The Ashkenazic minhag is that women don’t make HaGomel <ref>Mishna Brurah 219:3, Sh"t Halachot Ketanot 2:161, Aruch Hashulchan 219:6, Sh"t Beer Moshe 4:22. see also Sh"t Teshuvot Vihanhagot 4:53. See also Iggerot Mosh 5:14 where argues with those who claim that she should say it in front of ten women and instead suggests saying it in front of one person. If she is married, it should be her husband. </ref> Sephardic women, however, do recite Hagomel.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 219:7 (and [[Brachot]] p. 572), Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:14-15, Sh"t Yabia Omer 8:23:15, [http://halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDisplayRead.asp?readID=1833 HalachaYomit.co.il] write that women do recite Hagomel. Kaf Hachaim 219:3 writes that it should only be recited in front of ten male relatives and adds that if there aren't ten men, it should be recited without shem umalchut. See also Ben Ish Chai Parashat Ekev 65 </ref> A woman who has the custom to recite it should wait seven days after giving birth to do so.<ref>Kaf Hachaim 219:7 </ref> | ||
# In a shul a woman can recite it from the women's section since it is under the same roof.<ref>Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer OC 8:15:15 explains that although the women's section is usually a separate domain because of a partition that is ten tefachim tall and the minyan isn't in her presence, nonetheless, she can recite the bracha relying on the opinion of the Rabbenu Peretz (Hagahot Smak Eruvin 72) that it is considered one room since the mechitza doesn't reach the ceiling.</ref> | #In a shul a woman can recite it from the women's section since it is under the same roof.<ref>Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer OC 8:15:15 explains that although the women's section is usually a separate domain because of a partition that is ten tefachim tall and the minyan isn't in her presence, nonetheless, she can recite the bracha relying on the opinion of the Rabbenu Peretz (Hagahot Smak Eruvin 72) that it is considered one room since the mechitza doesn't reach the ceiling.</ref> | ||
#According to Ashkenazim, if a women who gave birth happens to be in front of a [[minyan]] some say that she may say HaGomel.<ref>Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo 23:4 and Vezot HaBracha (pg 158). Torat HaYoledet 62:5 writes that the minhag of Yerushalayim is that a woman who gave birth recites hagomel in front of ten men, however, some have the minhag not to say hagomel since it requires a public declaration in front of a minyan.</ref> | #According to Ashkenazim, if a women who gave birth happens to be in front of a [[minyan]] some say that she may say HaGomel.<ref>Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo 23:4 and Vezot HaBracha (pg 158). Torat HaYoledet 62:5 writes that the minhag of Yerushalayim is that a woman who gave birth recites hagomel in front of ten men, however, some have the minhag not to say hagomel since it requires a public declaration in front of a minyan.</ref> | ||
===Children=== | ===Children=== | ||
#According to many, a child is not required to recite this bracha until he reaches the age of Bar Mitzvah.<ref>M.B. 219:3. Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen (Children in Halacha page 23)</ref> Some say that even a child should say this bracha if he reaches the age of ''chinuch''.<ref>Reb Akiva Eiger O.C. 219 quotes one opinion that a child should make this bracha. Ben Ish Chay Parshat Eikev Shana 1 Halacha 4 also says one should make this bracha. If there is no common custom, then in deference to those who argue, he recommends saying the bracha without the Name of God.</ref> | #According to many, a child is not required to recite this bracha until he reaches the age of Bar Mitzvah.<ref>M.B. 219:3. Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen (Children in Halacha page 23)</ref> Some say that even a child should say this bracha if he reaches the age of ''chinuch''.<ref>Reb Akiva Eiger O.C. 219 quotes one opinion that a child should make this bracha. Ben Ish Chay Parshat Eikev Shana 1 Halacha 4 also says one should make this bracha. If there is no common custom, then in deference to those who argue, he recommends saying the bracha without the Name of God.</ref> | ||
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===One Who Traveled at Sea=== | ===One Who Traveled at Sea=== | ||
# One who swims in the sea, even the Sea of Galilee, which is near a residential area, and even if there is a lifeguard present, recites | |||
#One who swims in the sea, even the Sea of Galilee, which is near a residential area, and even if there is a lifeguard present, recites Birkat hagomel. <ref>Hazon Ovadia, Page 363 </ref> | |||
===Traveling From City to City=== | ===Traveling From City to City=== | ||
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==Procedure of Birchat HaGomel== | ==Procedure of Birchat HaGomel== | ||
#The Bracha of HaGomel was established to be said before a [[minyan]], preferably with two Talmediei Chachamim, and if there’s no [[minyan]] available one may not make HaGomel but rather should wait to find one.<ref>Rambam ([[Brachot]] 10:8), S”A 219:3, Beiur Halacha s.v. VeYesh Omerim, Shoneh Halachot 219:2, Piskei Teshuvot 219:15, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:2 based on the pasuk in tehillim 107:32, Hazon Ovadia Page 342. Mishna Brurah 219:6 allows the one reciting the beracha to be included in the ten. See [[Halachot_Related_to_Coronavirus#Birkat_HaGomel]] regarding reciting HaGomel with a "Zoom Minyan"</ref> | #The Bracha of HaGomel was established to be said before a [[minyan]], preferably with two Talmediei Chachamim, and if there’s no [[minyan]] available one may not make HaGomel but rather should wait to find one.<ref>Rambam ([[Brachot]] 10:8), S”A 219:3, Beiur Halacha s.v. VeYesh Omerim, Shoneh Halachot 219:2, Piskei Teshuvot 219:15, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 61:2 based on the pasuk in tehillim 107:32, Hazon Ovadia Page 342. Mishna Brurah 219:6 allows the one reciting the beracha to be included in the ten. See [[Halachot_Related_to_Coronavirus#Birkat_HaGomel]] regarding reciting HaGomel with a "Zoom Minyan"</ref> | ||
#The minhag is to say HaGomel after [[Kriyat HaTorah]] in front of the Torah.<ref>Mishna Brurah 219:2 </ref> | #The minhag is to say HaGomel after [[Kriyat HaTorah]] in front of the Torah.<ref>Mishna Brurah 219:2 </ref> | ||
#The one reciting birkat hagomel should recite it while standing.<ref>Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:156:2 </ref> | #The one reciting birkat hagomel should recite it while standing.<ref>Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 1:156:2 </ref> | ||
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==Children and Birkat HaGomel== | ==Children and Birkat HaGomel== | ||
# One who is not bar/bat hinuch and recovers form an illness should recite birkat hagomel after keriat hatorah. <ref> Hazon Ovadia, Page 349 </ref> | |||
#One who is not bar/bat hinuch and recovers form an illness should recite birkat hagomel after keriat hatorah. <ref>Hazon Ovadia, Page 349 </ref> | |||
==Listening to someone else say HaGomel== | ==Listening to someone else say HaGomel== | ||
