BRACHA
FOR ESCAPING DANGER
The bracha (blessing) of thanksgiving
Birkas HaGomel
EVENTS THAT REQUIRE YOU TO SAY THIS BRACHA
Crossing over an ocean or a desert
- You say the bracha upon reaching your destination even if there was no dangerous
situation en route - Even if you make a few stopovers along his journey, such as port stopovers, or airport
landings, even if you will not continue on the next leg of your trip for another day or two,
you do not say the blessing until you reach your final destination - Ashkenazic Custom
You make the bracha (blessing) only when traveling thru deserts but not on regular roads
You don't make the bracha (blessing) if you travel thru the desert by train that doesn't
involve any of the regular desert dangers - Sephardic Custom
Is to say the blessing even on travel through regular roads if it is more than 2.4 miles
You don't make the bracha (blessing) when flying only over land
If there was some accident during travel from which you were saved, the bracha (blessing)
should be said even though under usual circumstances it would not need to be said
- When you return from your trip, you bench gomel either that same day or the next day
Additional reasons to say this bracha
- Bus, car, train or airplane accidents
- Earthquakes with walls falling down around you
- Terrorist attacks
- Robbery
- Recovering from a very serious illness
- Being released from prison on murder charges & other serious charges
- Being released from prison for money matter if you're imprisoned with shackles & chains
or have been in a dangerous situation while in prison
After giving birth a woman waits 7 days & then
- Goes to shul & says the bracha there
OR - Arranges for an evening service (Maariv) at her home & says the bracha there
WHO CAN BENCH GOMEL
- Children under Bar Mitzvah do not say the blessing
- Women are required to say the blessing
They should stand in the women's section & say it aloud while there is a minyan standing on
the other side of the mechitza listening & responding
Some say it is enough for her to say it in the presence of one man or woman & if she is
married it should preferably be in front of her husband
The Bracha (Blessing)
- The bracha (blessing) needs to be recited while standing
- It should be said during the daytime with the exception noted above
HEBREW
BRACHA
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת, שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב
RESPONSE
Those who hear the bracha (blessing) say
אָמֵן. מִי שֶׁגְּמָלְךָ כָּל טוֹב, הוּא יִגְמָלְךָ כָּל טוֹב סֶלָה
TRANSLITERATION
BRACHA
Boruch Ataw Ado'noi Ehl' okeinu Melech Ha' olom
Ha'go'mel Li'chai'yah vim toe'vose sheh' gih'mah'lah'ni'tov
RESPONSE
Those who hear the bracha (blessing) say amen followed by
Mi Sheh'gi'mal'cha tov, who yig’mal’cha kol tuv se’lah
ENGLISH
BRACHA
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe,
who bestows kindness upon the culpable, for He has bestowed goodness to me
RESPONSE
Those who hear the bracha (blessing) say amen followed by
May He who has bestowed beneficence upon you
always bestow every beneficence upon you
ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS
- A person who recites the Hagomel blessing usually donates money to the shul or a community tzedaka (charity)
- Often a kiddush or special meal is hosted in commemoration of G-d's kindness
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