(Hakhel)
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 219) lists the situations over which one recites the special bracha of HaGomel LeChayavim Tovos Shegimalani Kol Tov. The Shulchan Aruch (ibid. 9) then brings a difference of opinion as to other circumstances in which the bracha of HaGomel should be recited. There is a related issue in today’s times as to whether one recites this bracha after having taken a flight internationally, even domestically, or perhaps not to recite the bracha in either circumstance.
The Dirshu Edition of the Mishna Berurah (ibid. 1) brings from HaRav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach, Z’tl, that in situations where one is unsure whether he should recite the bracha he should gather together ten people to listen to him recite the last of the Birchos HaShachar which ends with the words: “Baruch Atta Hashem HaGomel Chassodim Tovim LeAmo Yisrael.”
Every day–without any specific reason, we are graced with the opportunity to recite this Bracha of Gomel Chassodim Tovim, we should appreciate its great importance and meaning. With it we can in a unique sense ‘bentsch Gomel’–each and every day! Oh, how it behooves us to have Kavannah in this bracha for everything that happened the day before, everything that has happened until that point in the morning and everything that will hopefully happen for the remainder of the successful day.
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L says
I keep hoping that one day these sorts of posts will be translated and explained. We don’t all understand all this stuff you know. What is “bentsching gomel?” If you post it, you should EXPLAIN IT IN ENGLISH. It really doesn’t take any kedushah away from it, the opposite in fact happens when MORE PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING SO DESPERATELY TO SHARE with klal yisroel. Have a little respect for those that are not so versed.
afeinstein says
Check out these sources to learn more about the blessing of “gomel:”
http://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Birkat_HaGomel
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/115308/jewish/The-Laws-of-the-Blessing-of-Thanksgiving.htm
ED says
Henry Luce, the founder of Time Magazine, famously told his writers, “Never underestimate the curiosity of your audience, but never overestimate their knowledge.” In a post of this nature, even a subject which is among the top 100 concepts of Judaism should get some explanation. Luce also said, “Give the poor reader a chance.” Very fair complaint, L.
ED says
BTW, ‘brings” is an especially Yeshivish word. Put correctly, “Rashi goes in the kitchen and brings me a cup of tea,” or, “Rashi goes upstairs and brings down my bedroom slippers.” There are many better words in the English, each synonymous depending on the context. “In a certain situation, one brings a Korban” is a correct using of the verb.
p says
Translation: after someone is saved from a dangerous situation, they bentch gomel (say a special blessing in shul thanking Hashem for saving them). There is a halachic question over whether traveling on an airplane nowadays is something that is considered dangerous or not, and therefore there’s a question as to whether a person should bentch gomel after taking a flight. An opinion is mentioned that in situations where you’re not sure if you should bentch gomel, you could have a minyan listen to you say the last blessing in the morning blessings (the one that ends with hagomel chassidim tovim l’amo yisroel) and answer amen. The writer then moves to the main point of the article. He encourages us to realize that every day when we say this particular morning blessing, it is in some ways similar to bentching gomel, and we should have tremendous gratitude for Hashem having kept us safe so far, and G-d willing, keeping us safe throughout our day to come. Every moment of the day, our lives are in Hashem’s hands, dangers are on all sides (G-d forbid), and we shouldn’t just be rushing through the morning blessings, we should be thinking about what they mean and saying them with a full heart!
Thank you Local Jewish News for sharing these interesting tidbits from other sources, and I personally enjoy the Hakhel pieces. They’re written in a very concise way, which may be a bit confusing if you’re used to a more elucidated style, but it’s just a matter of getting used to a different style. Google is great for unfamiliar terms, too.
L says
Thank you everyone! Very interesting….I never knew about this brocha. I did learn however, that Psalm #100 is of the same category – to thank Hashem after danger, etc. But I understand this (gomel) is said with a minyan.