Bracha For Seeing Natural Wonders: Difference between revisions
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# One may recite the Bracha even if one only saw the light from the lightning and didn’t see the bolt. <Ref> Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichot Shlomo page 287, Sh"t Minchat Shlomo 2:4:34) writes that one may recite the bracha on lightning even if one only saw the flash from the lightning and not the bolt because one really feels Hashem's greatness and the greatness of His creations even without seeing the bolt. This is quoted in Vezot HaBracha (pg 156). Rav Yacov Kamenetsky in Emes Liyaakov (Siman 227 in the footnote), [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=880&st=&pgnum=47 Sh"t Az Nidberu 6:23], Chazon Ovadia ([[Berachot]] page 466), and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 12:21 agree.</ref> | # One may recite the Bracha even if one only saw the light from the lightning and didn’t see the bolt. <Ref> Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichot Shlomo page 287, Sh"t Minchat Shlomo 2:4:34) writes that one may recite the bracha on lightning even if one only saw the flash from the lightning and not the bolt because one really feels Hashem's greatness and the greatness of His creations even without seeing the bolt. This is quoted in Vezot HaBracha (pg 156). Rav Yacov Kamenetsky in Emes Liyaakov (Siman 227 in the footnote), [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=880&st=&pgnum=47 Sh"t Az Nidberu 6:23], Chazon Ovadia ([[Berachot]] page 466), and Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 12:21 agree.</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> | # 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> | # Even one who is in the middle of learning, should stop to recite this bracha.<ref> Sh"t Beer Moshe 2:10 </ref> | ||
# Text of the Bracha on lightning: ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית - Baruch Atta Adonay Eloheinu Melech HaOlam [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]]. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 227:1</ref> | # Text of the Bracha on lightning: ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית - Baruch Atta Adonay Eloheinu Melech HaOlam [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]].<ref>Shulchan Aruch 227:1</ref> | ||
# Text of the Bracha on thunder: ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם שכחו וגבורתו מלא עולם - Baruch Atta Adonay Eloheinu Melech HaOlam SheKocho UGevurato Maaleh Olam. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 227:1</ref> | # Text of the Bracha on thunder: ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם שכחו וגבורתו מלא עולם - Baruch Atta Adonay Eloheinu Melech HaOlam SheKocho UGevurato Maaleh Olam.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 227:1</ref> | ||
==All oceans== | ==All oceans== | ||
# The bracha for seeing any ocean is [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]]. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 228:1 </ref> | # The bracha for seeing any ocean is [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]].<ref> Shulchan Aruch 228:1 </ref> | ||
# One recites a [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] for seeing a sea or ocean that is natural and from the time of creation. Therefore, there’s a Bracha for seeing the Kinneret but no bracha for seeing the Dead sea. <Ref>Halichot Shlomo 23:26 (pg 287) writes that one should recite a bracha for seeing the Kinneret but not for seeing the Dead Sea (Yam HaMelech). </ref> | # One recites a [[Oseh Maaseh Beresheet]] for seeing a sea or ocean that is natural and from the time of creation. Therefore, there’s a Bracha for seeing the Kinneret but no bracha for seeing the Dead sea. <Ref>Halichot Shlomo 23:26 (pg 287) writes that one should recite a bracha for seeing the Kinneret but not for seeing the Dead Sea (Yam HaMelech). </ref> | ||
# If one made a bracha upon seeing one ocean and then sees another ocean, one should recite another bracha even if it's within 30 days. <ref>Halichot Shlomo 23:27 </ref> | # If one made a bracha upon seeing one ocean and then sees another ocean, one should recite another bracha even if it's within 30 days.<ref>Halichot Shlomo 23:27 </ref> | ||
# If one lives close to the ocean even if it has been more than 30 days one shouldn't recite a bracha on seeing that ocean. <ref>Halichot Shlomo 23:28 </ref> | # If one lives close to the ocean even if it has been more than 30 days one shouldn't recite a bracha on seeing that ocean.<ref>Halichot Shlomo 23:28 </ref> | ||
===Atlantic Ocean=== | ===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> | # 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> | ||
=== Mediterranean Sea=== | === Mediterranean Sea=== | ||
#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> | #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== | ==Seeing a river== | ||
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# 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> | # 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> | ||
==Seeing a Mountain== | ==Seeing a Mountain== | ||
# 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> | # 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> | # 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> | ||
# If one has seen the mountain in the last 30 days, the bracha should not be recited. <ref> Mishna Brura 228:2 </ref> | # If one has seen the mountain in the last 30 days, the bracha should not be recited.<ref> Mishna Brura 228:2 </ref> | ||
# This bracha should not be recited from an airplane where the height of the mountain cannot be appreciated. <ref> Vizot HaBracha, pg. 155 </ref> | # This bracha should not be recited from an airplane where the height of the mountain cannot be appreciated.<ref> Vizot HaBracha, pg. 155 </ref> | ||
==Seeing a desert== | ==Seeing a desert== | ||
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# 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> | # 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> | ||
==Meteor, Shooting Star, and Eclipses== | ==Meteor, Shooting Star, and Eclipses== | ||
# 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> | # 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> | # If multiple sightings are seen in one night, the beracha is only recited once.<ref> Mishna Berura 227:2 </ref> | ||
# There is no bracha upon seeing a lunar or solar eclipse.<ref>Rabbi Tendler in Moreshet Moshe v. 2 p. 51 quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as explaining that there’s no bracha for seeing a solar or lunar eclipse and in fact it is a negative sign. Sh"t Aseh Lecha Rav 150 agrees that a beracha should not be recited because no such beracha is mentioned in the Gemara. see further [http://www.hakirah.org/vol23brown.pdf The Great American Eclipse of 2017: Halachic and Philosophical Aspects] </ref> | # There is no bracha upon seeing a lunar or solar eclipse.<ref>Rabbi Tendler in Moreshet Moshe v. 2 p. 51 quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as explaining that there’s no bracha for seeing a solar or lunar eclipse and in fact it is a negative sign. Sh"t Aseh Lecha Rav 150 agrees that a beracha should not be recited because no such beracha is mentioned in the Gemara. see further [http://www.hakirah.org/vol23brown.pdf The Great American Eclipse of 2017: Halachic and Philosophical Aspects] </ref> | ||
