Bracha For Seeing Natural Wonders: Difference between revisions

# If the storm cleared up completely and there were no clouds and then another storm came, one can recite another Bracha for the lightning and thunder of the next storm, however within one storm one only recites one Bracha unless the storm continues to the next day. <Ref>S”A 227:2 writes that one shouldn’t recite another Bracha on thunder and lightning unless the storm has cleared up. Mishna Brurah 227:8 emphasizes that it must have completely cleared up unless it continues to the next day in which case a new Bracha is needed in any case. This is also the opinion of Yalkut Yosef (vol 3 pg 622). Vezot HaBracha (pg 154) in name of Az Nidbaru 6:32 and Rav Moshe Shternbach add that one doesn’t recite a new Bracha in the morning unless one slept and the night has passed. </ref>

# The Bracha on lightning and thunder must be said within [[Toch Kedi Dibbur]] (short period of time). <Ref> Mishna Brurah 227:12 </ref>

# If one’s hands are unclean from going to the bathroom and not washing yet or for going to sleep at night and not having washed yet, and right then one saw lightning or heard thunder, one can’t recite the Bracha. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 227:11, Vezot HaBracha (pg 154), see there for the case of where one needs to go to the bathroom. </ref>

# Even one who is in the middle of learning, should stop to recite this bracha. <ref> Sh"t Beer Moshe 2:10 </ref>

===Atlantic Ocean===

# According to Ashkanazim, The bracha for seeing the Atlantic ocean is SheAssa Et HaYam HaGadol. According to Sephardim, this bracha is never made. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 228:1 writes that for all oceans one recite the bracha of [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] except for the Mediterranean which you recite Oseh HaYam haGadol. However, Mishna Brurah 228:2 argues that really the bracha of Oseh HaYam HaGadol should only be made on the Atlantic ocean and all others (including the Mediterranean) only get the bracha of [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]]. [It's preferable, when making the bracha on the Mediterranean to say [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] and then add the words Sh'Asah Et HaYam HaGadol within 2-3 seconds.(VeZot HaBracha pg 154)] For Ashkenazim, the halacha is in accordance with Mishna Brurah as most achronim hold like that opinion; Rav Elyashiv (cited by VeZot HaBracha p. 154) agrees. For Sephardim Yalkut Yosef (Siman 228) writes not to recite the bracha of Oseh HaYam HaGadol on anything because of the dispute (I'm not sure if he would hold that a [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] is still made for all oceans).</ref>

#It's preferable, when making the bracha on the Mediterranean ocean to say [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] and then add the words Sh'Asah Et HaYam HaGadol within 2-3 seconds. <ref> VeZot HaBracha (pg 154), Halichot Shlomo (Hilchot [[Tefillah]] 23:29) </ref>

==Seeing a river==

# Upon seeing a natural large river one should recite the Bracha of [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]], however if there was any human intervention in the building of the river, from that point in the river and on, no Bracha is made. If one is in doubt whether a river was improved or changed with human intervention one shouldn’t recite the Bracha. Most rivers are natural and not changed by man, however, it’s unclear whether one can rely on this assumption. <Ref>S”A 228:2 writes that the Bracha for seeing the four rivers mentioned in the pesukim such as Chidekel and Parat one should recite the Bracha [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]]. Mishna Brurah 228:4 explains that one should recite the Bracha on any large river that one knows is totally natural and wasn’t changed by man. Mishna Brurah 229:5 adds that if one is in doubt one shouldn’t recite the Bracha, but in Shaar HaTziyun 229:8 he adds that in general rivers are natural but concludes that the practicability is unclear. This is also the opinion of Vezot HaBracha (pg 155).</ref>   

# There’s no Bracha upon seeing a waterfall unless it’s part of a large river that’s natural (as above). <Ref>Vezot HaBracha (pg 155) in name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky </ref>

# Upon seeing mountains that are abnormal and through them one recognizes the strength of Hashem, the Creator, one should recite the Bracha of [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]]. <Ref>S”A 228:3 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:5. Orchot Rabbenu (vol 1 pg 94) writes that the Steipler made this Bracha the first time he saw the mountains surrounding Yerushalyim, but stopped afterwards because it didn’t have an impression on him anymore.  Piskei Teshuvot 228:4 writes that it’s really dependent on the viewer but on universally accepted unique mountains anyone can recite the Bracha. </ref> However, some poskim believe that this beracha should not be made with Hashem's name. <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with footnotes from Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, siman 60, footnote 4 in the Darche Halacha </ref> For example, one can recite the Bracha upon seeing the Chermon mountains <Ref>Or Letzion 46:62, and Vezot HaBracha (pg 155) in name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky (see there) </ref>, Mount Everest <Ref>Birkot Eliyahu (pg 296) </ref>, Ararat, or the Alps. <Ref>Aruch HaShulchan 228:1, Piskei Teshuvot 228:4, Vezot HaBracha (pg 155) </ref>

# If there’s a doubt whether a mountain is considered unique one should recite the Bracha without [[Shem UMalchut]]. <Ref>Vezot HaBracha (pg 155) </ref>

==Seeing a desert==

# For seeing a comet, or experiencing an earthquake one should recite the Bracha of Oseh Maaseh Beresheet. <Ref>S”A 257:1 says that for seeing a comet or experiencing an earthquake one should recite [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] and if one wants one can recite the Bracha SheCocho UGevurato Maaleh Olam instead. Mishna Brurah 227:6 is clear that it’s either one Bracha or the other but not both. This is also the opinion of Vezot HaBracha (pg 155, chapter 17). Artscroll Siddur just quotes the more primary Bracha quoted in S”A, Oseh מעשה Beresheet. </ref>

# If there was a break between one earthquake and the next, another Bracha is required. <Ref>Shaarei Teshuva 227:1, Vezot HaBracha (pg 157) </ref>

# Upon seeing a shooting star one recites the beracha of Oseh Maaseh Bereishit. <ref> Mishna Berura 227:1, [http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1269829/jewish/Is-There-a-Blessing-for-Seeing-a-Meteor-Shower.htm Chabad.org] </ref>

# If multiple sightings are seen in one night, the beracha is only recited once. <ref> Mishna Berura 227:2 </ref>

==Strong winds==