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- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: The beracha on large bodies of water is not about miracles within nature. Rather, it acknowledges Hashem’s creation of impressive, formidable, and/or impactful natural phenomena, for which the vastness of major bodies of water qualify (see also Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 219:1). Whether one is personally impressed does not determine whether he makes the beracha (see Sha’ar Ha’ayin p. 420,429). What is required is that one’s encounter with the body of water is new, i.e., he has not seen it in thirty days (Berachot 59b). There is a machloket whether for one who lives near the sea but has not seen it in 30 days, a sighting is considered new, which was relevant when you were a child. Most poskim assume that one makes the beracha even when seeing it from a few miles above the water, through glass, as long as it is clearly visible (B’tzel Hachochma II:16). Therefore, while many wonderful Jews do not make the beracha, we encourage doing so when applicable.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (657)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
639 - Ask the Rabbi: Finishing to Eat but Continuing to Drink
640 - Ask the Rabbi: Beracha on Mediterranean and Atlantic
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What is the Yam Hagadol? The Shulchan Aruch (OC 228:1) assumes that it is the Mediterranean, as the Torah calls it when giving it as a border of Eretz Yisrael (Bamidbar 34:6). However, there are different texts and readings of the Rosh (ibid.) on this very question, and the Divrei Chamudot on the Rosh (Berachot 9:37) argues that THE great sea is the ocean that "surrounds the whole world" (Atlantic and/or Pacific), whereas the Mediterranean gets the standard beracha of OMB. Some say that the Mediterranean qualifies because it is connected to the Atlantic and is "fed" by it, and the Knesset Hagedola (Beit Yosef 228:2) says that both deserve HYHG.
There is no consensus on which opinion to accept, but the Mishna Berura (228:2) leans toward OMB for the Mediterranean and HYHG for the Atlantic. He also points out that OMB is a more general beracha (like Shehakol for foods) and works b’di’eved even if HYHG was the correct beracha (Be’ur Halacha to OC 228:1). Fascinatingly, B’tzel Hachochma (II:12) argues that since OMB is called for only for those things that existed at the creation of the world and since there are Talmudic accounts that the Mediterranean basin was not originally filled with water, one cannot be yotzei with OMB but only with HYHG. However, the more accepted opinion is OMB on the Mediterranean and HYHG on the Atlantic (see Piskei Teshuvot 228:2; Halichot Shlomo 23:29). (We will not discuss special steps to fulfill more opinions.)
Contemporary poskim wonder about what to do on a trip where one passes both bodies of water (see Divrei Yatziv, OC I:95). There is logic to recite on both, at least if one makes different berachot on them and given the significant break between them. However, because there is reason to say that these connected waterways are one regarding this beracha (B’tzel Hachochma II:16) and since you will be within 30 days of seeing a vast body of water, it is advisable not to make a second beracha (with Hashem’s Name). On the way back within 30 days, one definitely does not make another beracha, assuming he saw the water clearly on the first leg.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
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Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
