The Sages instituted other blessings and many other statements that lack a p'tichah and a chatimah, as an expression of praise and acknowledgement of the Holy One, blessed be He - for example, the blessings of prayer that we have already mentioned. Among these [blessings are the following]:
A person who builds a new house or buys new articles should recite the blessing: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion." [This blessing is recited] regardless of whether he possesses similar articles or not.
אבְרָכוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת וּדְבָרים אֲחֵרִים הַרְבֵּה שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן פְּתִיחָה וְלֹא חֲתִימָה תִּקְּנוּ חֲכָמִים דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁבַח וְהוֹדָיָה לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. כְּמוֹ בִּרְכוֹת הַתְּפִלָּה שֶׁכְּבָר כְּתַבְנוּם. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן. הַבּוֹנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ וְהַקּוֹנֶה כֵּלִים חֳדָשִׁים בֵּין יֵשׁ לוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן בֵּין אֵין לוֹ מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה:
Similarly, a person who sees a friend after [not seeing him for] thirty days [or more] should recite the blessing shehecheyanu . If he sees him after a hiatus of twelve months [or more], he should recite the blessing "Blessed are You, God... who resurrects the dead."
A person who sees a fruit that grows only in a specific season each year should recite the blessing shehecheyanu when he sees it for the first time.
בוְכֵן הָרוֹאֶה אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ לְאַחַר שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ. וְאִם רָאָהוּ לְאַחַר שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים. הָרוֹאֶה פְּרִי הַמִּתְחַדֵּשׁ מִשָּׁנָה לְשָׁנָה בִּתְחִלַּת רְאִיָּתוֹ מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ:
When a person hears favorable tidings, he should recite the blessing: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who is good and does good." If he hears bad tidings, he should recite the blessing: "Blessed [are You...] the true Judge."
A person is obligated to recite a blessing over undesirable occurrences with a positive spirit, in the same manner as he joyfully recites a blessing over desirable occurrences. [This is implied by Deuteronomy 6:5]: "And you shall love God, your Lord... with all your might." Included in this extra dimension of love that we were commanded [to express] is to acknowledge and praise [God] with happiness even at one's time of difficulty.
גשָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה טוֹבָה מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב. שָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה רָעָה מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת. וְחַיָּב אָדָם לְבָרֵךְ עַל הָרָעָה בְּטוּב נֶפֶשׁ כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמְּבָרֵךְ עַל הַטּוֹבָה בְּשִׂמְחָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ו ה) ״וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ״ וְגוֹ׳ (דברים ו ה) ״וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ״. וּבִכְלַל אַהֲבָה הַיְתֵרָה שֶׁנִּצְטַוֵּינוּ בָּהּ שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ בְּעֵת שֶׁיָּצֵר לוֹ יוֹדֶה וִישַׁבֵּחַ בְּשִׂמְחָה:
When a desirable event occurred to a person or he heard favorable tidings, although it appears that this good will ultimately cause one difficulty,1 he should recite the blessing hatov v’hameitiv. Conversely, if a person suffered a difficulty or heard unfavorable tidings, although it appears that this difficulty will ultimately bring him good,2 he should recite the blessing Dayan ha'emet. Blessings are not recited in consideration of future possibilities, but rather on what happens at present.3
דהִגִּיעָה אֵלָיו טוֹבָה אוֹ שֶׁשָּׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה טוֹבָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַדְּבָרִים מַרְאִין שֶׁטּוֹבָה זוֹ תִּגְרֹם לוֹ רָעָה מְבָרֵךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב. וְכֵן אִם נָגְעָה אֵלָיו רָעָה אוֹ שָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה רָעָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַדְּבָרִים מַרְאִים שֶׁרָעָה זוֹ גּוֹרֶמֶת לוֹ טוֹבָה מְבָרֵךְ דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת. שֶׁאֵין מְבָרְכִין עַל הֶעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת אֶלָּא עַל מַה שֶּׁאֵרַע עַתָּה:
[The following rules govern the recitation of blessings for] abundant rainfall: If one owns a field [individually], he should recite the blessing shehecheyanu. If one owns it in partnership with others,4 he should recite the blessing hatov v’hameitiv. If one does not own a field, he should recite the following blessing:
We5 thankfully acknowledge You, God, our Lord, for each and every drop that you have caused to descend for us. If our mouths were filled....6 They shall all give thanks, praise, and bless Your name, our King. Blessed are You, God, the Almighty, who is worthy of manifold thanksgiving and praise.7
היָרְדוּ גְּשָׁמִים רַבִּים. אִם יֵשׁ לוֹ שָׂדֶה מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ. וְאִם הָיְתָה שֶׁלּוֹ וְשֶׁל אֲחֵרִים מְבָרֵךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ שָׂדֶה מְבָרֵךְ מוֹדִים אֲנַחְנוּ לָךְ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ עַל כָּל טִפָּה וְטִפָּה שֶׁהוֹרַדְתָּ לָנוּ וְאִלּוּ פִינוּ מָלֵא כוּ׳ עַד הֵן הֵם יוֹדוּ וִישַׁבְּחוּ וִיבָרְכוּ אֶת שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֵל רֹב הַהוֹדָאוֹת וְהַתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת:
Mishneh Torah (Moznaim)
Featuring a modern English translation and a commentary that presents a digest of the centuries of Torah scholarship which have been devoted to the study of the Mishneh Torah by Maimonides.
When should the blessing be recited? When much water collects on the face of the earth, the raindrops cause bubbles to form in the rain that has already collected, and the bubbles begin to flow one into another.8
ומֵאֵימָתַי מְבָרְכִין עַל הַגְּשָׁמִים מִשֶּׁיִּרְבֶּה הַמַּיִם עַל הָאָרֶץ וְיַעֲלוּ אֲבַעְבּוּעוֹת מִן הַמָּטָר עַל פְּנֵי הַמַּיִם וְיֵלְכוּ הָאֲבַעְבּוּעוֹת זֶה לִקְרַאת זֶה:
[The following blessings should be recited] when a person was told that his father died and that he is his heir: If he has brothers [who will share the inheritance] with him, he should first recite, Dayan ha'emet, and afterwards, hatov v’hameitiv. If he has no brothers [who will share] with him, he should recite the blessing shehecheyanu.9
To summarize the matter: Whenever a circumstance is of benefit to one together with others, he should recite the blessing hatov v’hameitiv. Should it be of benefit to him alone, he should recite the blessing shehecheyanu.
זאָמְרוּ לוֹ מֵת אָבִיו וִירָשָׁהוּ. אִם יֵשׁ עִמּוֹ אַחִין מְבָרֵךְ בַּתְּחִלָּה דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת וְאַחַר כָּךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב. וְאִם אֵין עִמּוֹ אַחִים מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ. קְצָרוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר כָּל דְּבַר טוֹבָה שֶׁהִיא לוֹ וְלַאֲחֵרִים מְבָרֵךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב. וְטוֹבָה שֶׁהִיא לוֹ לְבַדּוֹ מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ:
Four individuals are required to render thanks: a person who had been sick and recuperated, a person who had been imprisoned and was released, people who alight [at their destination] after a journey at sea, and travelers who reach a settlement.
These thanks must be rendered in the presence of ten people, of whom two are sages, as [implied by Psalms 107:32]: "They will exalt Him in the congregation of the people and they will praise Him in the seat of the elders."
How does one give thanks and what blessing should he recite? He should stand in the midst of the [abovementioned] company and say:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who bestows benefits upon the culpable, who has bestowed all goodness upon me.
Those who hear should respond: May He who granted you beneficence continue to bestow good upon you forever.
חאַרְבָּעָה צְרִיכִין לְהוֹדוֹת. חוֹלֶה שֶׁנִּתְרַפֵּא. וְחָבוּשׁ שֶׁיָּצָא מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִים. וְיוֹרְדֵי הַיָּם כְּשֶׁעָלוּ. וְהוֹלְכֵי דְּרָכִים כְּשֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ לַיִּשּׁוּב. וּצְרִיכִין לְהוֹדוֹת בִּפְנֵי עֲשָׂרָה וּשְׁנַיִם מֵהֶם חֲכָמִים שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהילים קז לב) ״וִירֹמְמוּהוּ בִּקְהַל עָם וּבְמוֹשַׁב זְקֵנִים יְהַלְלוּהוּ״. וְכֵיצַד מוֹדֶה וְכֵיצַד מְבָרֵךְ. עוֹמֵד בֵּינֵיהֶן וּמְבָרֵךְ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב. וְכָל הַשּׁוֹמְעִין אוֹמְרִים שֶׁגְּמָלְךָ טוֹב הוּא יִגְמָלְךָ סֶלָה:
A person who sees a place where miracles were wrought for the Jewish people - for example, the Red Sea or the crossings of the Jordan - should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our ancestors in this place.
This blessing is recited wherever miracles were performed for many people. In contrast, in a place where a miracle was performed for an individual, that individual, his son, and his grandson should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who wrought a miracle for me in this place.
or "...who wrought a miracle for my ancestors in this place."
A person who sees the den of lions [into which Daniel was thrown] or the fiery furnace into which Chananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were thrown should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for the righteous in this place.
A person who sees a place in which false gods are worshiped should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who grants patience to those who transgress His will.
[When a person sees] a place from which the worship of false gods has been uprooted in Eretz Yisrael, he should recite the blessing:
[Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe,] who uproots foreign worship from our land.
In the Diaspora, he should recite the blessing:
...who uproots foreign worship from this place.
In both instances, he should say:
As You have uprooted [foreign worship] from this place, so may it be uprooted from all places. And may You turn the hearts of its worshipers to serve You.
טהָרוֹאֶה מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ נִסִּים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל כְּגוֹן יַם סוּף וּמַעְבְּרוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה. וְכֵן כָּל מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ בּוֹ נִסִּים לָרַבִּים. אֲבָל מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה בּוֹ נֵס לַיָּחִיד אוֹתוֹ הַיָּחִיד וּבְנוֹ וּבֶן בְּנוֹ מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה לִי נֵס בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה אוֹ שֶׁעָשָׂה נֵס לַאֲבוֹתַי בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה. הָרוֹאֶה גֹּב אֲרָיוֹת וְכִבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ שֶׁהֻשְׁלַךְ בּוֹ חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נֵס לַצַּדִּיקִים בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה. הָרוֹאֶה מָקוֹם שֶׁעוֹבְדִין בּוֹ עַכּוּ״ם מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁנָּתַן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם לְעוֹבְרֵי רְצוֹנוֹ. מָקוֹם שֶׁנֶּעֶקְרָה מִמֶּנּוּ עַכּוּ״ם אִם בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁעָקַר עַכּוּ״ם מֵאַרְצֵנוּ. וְאִם בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ הוּא מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁעָקַר עַכּוּ״ם מִמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה. וְאוֹמֵר בִּשְׁתֵּיהֶן כְּשֵׁם שֶׁעָקַרְתָּ מִמָּקוֹם זֶה כָּךְ תַּעֲקֹר מִכָּל מְקוֹמוֹת וְתָשִׁיב לֵב עוֹבְדֵיהֶם לְעָבְדְךָ:
A person who sees a settlement of Jewish homes should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who establishes the border of the widow.
[One who sees Jewish homes that are] destroyed should recite the blessing, "the true Judge." A person who sees Jewish graves should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who created you with justice, judged you with justice, sustained you with justice, took your lives with justice, and ultimately, will lift you up with justice to the life of the world to come. Blessed are You, God, who resurrects the dead.
יהָרוֹאֶה בָּתֵּי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיִשּׁוּבָן מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם מַצִּיב גְּבוּל אַלְמָנָה. בְּחֻרְבָּנָן אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת. הָרוֹאֶה קִבְרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְדָן אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְכִלְכֵּל אֶתְכֶם בְּדִין וְהֵמִית אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְהוּא עָתִיד לְהָקִים אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים:
The following should be recited when one sees 600,000 people at one time. If they are gentiles, he should recite the verse (Jeremiah 50:12): "Your mother shall be greatly ashamed; she that bore you will be disgraced. Behold, the ultimate fate of the gentiles will be an arid wilderness and a desolate land."
If they are Jews and in Eretz Yisrael, he should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, the Wise [who knows] secrets.
One who sees a gentile wise man should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has given from His wisdom to flesh and blood.
[When one sees] Jewish wise men, he should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has given from His wisdom to those who fear Him.
[When one sees] a Jewish king, he should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has given from His glory and might to those who fear Him.
[When one sees] a gentile king, he should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has given from His glory to flesh and blood.
יאהָרוֹאֶה שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף אָדָם כְּאֶחָד. אִם עַכּוּ״ם הֵם אוֹמֵר (ירמיה נ יב) ״בּוֹשָׁה אִמְּכֶם מְאֹד חָפְרָה יוֹלַדְתְּכֶם הִנֵּה אַחֲרִית גּוֹיִם מִדְבָּר צִיָּה וַעֲרָבָה״. וְאִם יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵם וּבְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם חֲכַם הָרָזִים. הָרוֹאֶה מֵחַכְמֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁנָּתַן מֵחָכְמָתוֹ לְבָשָׂר וָדָם. חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁנָּתַן מֵחָכְמָתוֹ לִירֵאָיו. מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמֵר שֶׁנָּתַן מִכְּבוֹדוֹ וּמִגְּבוּרָתוֹ לִירֵאָיו. מַלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁנָּתַן מִכְּבוֹדוֹ לְבָשָׂר וָדָם:
A person who sees a Kushit or a person who has a strange-looking face or an abnormal limb should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has altered His creations.
When one sees a blind man, a one-legged person, a person with skin boils or white blotches, or the like, he should recite the blessing "the true Judge." If they were born with these afflictions, he should recite the blessing "who has altered His creations."
When one sees an elephant, monkey, or owl, he should recite the blessing: "Blessed... who has altered His creations."
יבהָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַכּוּשִׁי וְאֶת הַמְשֻׁנִּין בְּצוּרַת פְּנֵיהֶן אוֹ בְּאֵיבְרֵיהֶם מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם מְשַׁנֶּה אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת. הָרוֹאֶה סוּמָא אוֹ קִטֵּעַ וּמֻכֶּה שְׁחִין וּבוֹהֲקָנִין וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת. וְאִם נוֹלְדוּ כֵּן מִמְּעֵי אִמָּן מְבָרֵךְ מְשַׁנֶּה אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת. הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַפִּיל וְאֶת הַקּוֹף וְאֶת הַקִּיפוֹף אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁנֶּה אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת:
A person who sees beautiful and well-formed creations or pleasant-looking trees should recite the blessing:
[Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe,] whose world is like this.
A person who goes out to the fields or gardens in the month of Nisan and sees flowering trees sprouting branches should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who did not leave anything lacking in His world and created within it fine creations and beautiful and fine trees so that they would give pleasure to men.
יגהָרוֹאֶה בְּרִיּוֹת נָאוֹת וּמְתֻקָּנוֹת בְּיוֹתֵר וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁכָּכָה לוֹ בְּעוֹלָמוֹ. הַיּוֹצֵא לַשָּׂדוֹת אוֹ לַגִּנּוֹת בְּיוֹמֵי נִיסָן וְרָאָה אִילָנוֹת פּוֹרְחוֹת וְנִצָּנִים עוֹלִים מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁלֹּא חִסַּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בּוֹ בְּרִיּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְנָאוֹת כְּדֵי לֵהָנוֹת בָּהֶן בְּנֵי אָדָם:
[When one perceives] any of the following: winds that blow extremely powerfully, lightning, thunder, loud rumblings that sound like large mills when they are heard on the earth, shooting stars, or comets, he should recite the blessing:
[Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe,] whose power and might fill up the world.
If one desires, he may recite the blessing:
[Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe,] who performs the work of creation.
ידעַל הָרוּחוֹת שֶׁנָּשְׁבוּ בְּזַעַף וְעַל הַבְּרָקִים וְעַל הָרְעָמִים וְעַל קוֹל הַהֲבָרָה שֶׁתִּשָּׁמַע בָּאָרֶץ כְּמוֹ רֵיחַיִם גְּדוֹלִים וְעַל הָאוּר שֶׁבַּאֲוִיר שֶׁיֵּרָאוּ כְּאִלּוּ הֵם כּוֹכָבִים נוֹפְלִים וְרָצִים מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם אוֹ כְּמוֹ כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם זָנָב עַל כָּל אֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ שֶׁכֹּחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם. וְאִם רָצָה מְבָרֵךְ עוֹשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית:
Whenever one sees mountains, hills, seas, deserts, or rivers after a thirty day interval, he should recite the blessing "who performs the work of creation."
A person who sees the ocean after an interval of thirty days or more should recite the blessing:
[Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe,] who created the ocean.
טועַל הֶהָרִים וְעַל הַגְּבָעוֹת עַל הַיַּמִּים וְעַל הַמִּדְבָּרוֹת וְעַל הַנְּהָרוֹת אִם רָאָה אַחַת מֵהֶן מִשְּׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם לִשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם מְבָרֵךְ עוֹשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית. הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל מִשְּׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם לִשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם אוֹ יוֹתֵר מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה אֶת הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל:
A person who sees a rainbow should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who remembers the covenant, is faithful to His covenant, and maintains His word.
When a person sees the moon after it is renewed, he should recite the blessing:
Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who created the heavens with His word and all their hosts with the breath of His mouth. He granted them a fixed law and schedule so that they should not alter their tasks. They rejoice and are glad to carry out the will of their Creator. They are faithful servants whose work is righteous. And He instructed the moon to renew itself as a crown of glory to those who are borne [by Him] from the womb, who are destined to be similarly renewed and to glorify their Creator for the name of the glory of His kingdom and for all He has created. Blessed are You, God, who renews the months.
טזהָרוֹאֶה קֶשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ. הָרוֹאֶה לְבָנָה בְּחִדּוּשָׁהּ מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ בָּרָא שְׁחָקִים וּבְרוּחַ פִּיו כָּל צְבָאָם חֹק וּזְמַן נָתַן לָהֶם שֶׁלֹּא יְשַׁנּוּ אֶת תַּפְקִידָם שָׂשִׂים וּשְׂמֵחִים לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹן קוֹנֵיהֶם פּוֹעֲלֵי אֱמֶת וּפְעֻלָּתָם צֶדֶק וְלַלְּבָנָה אָמַר שֶׁתִּתְחַדֵּשׁ עֲטָרָה תִּפְאֶרֶת לַעֲמוּסֵי בָטֶן שֶׁהֵם עֲתִידִין לְהִתְחַדֵּשׁ כְּמוֹתָהּ וּלְפָאֵר לְיוֹצְרָם עַל כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ וְעַל כָּל מַה שֶּׁבָּרָא בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ מְחַדֵּשׁ הֶחֳדָשִׁים:
This blessing should be recited while standing, for whoever recites the blessing on the new moon at its appropriate time is considered as if he greeted the Divine Presence.
If a person did not recite the blessing on the first night, he may recite the blessing until the sixteenth of the month, until the moon becomes full.
יזוְצָרִיךְ לְבָרֵךְ בְּרָכָה זוֹ מְעֻמָּד. שֶׁכָּל הַמְבָרֵךְ עַל הַחֹדֶשׁ בִּזְמַנּוֹ כְּאִלּוּ הִקְבִּיל פְּנֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה. אִם לֹא בֵּרֵךְ עָלֶיהָ בַּלַּיִל הָרִאשׁוֹן מְבָרֵךְ עָלֶיהָ עַד שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּחֹדֶשׁ עַד שֶׁתִּמָּלֵא פְּגִימָתָהּ:
A person who sees the sun on the day of the spring equinox at the beginning of the twenty-eight year cycle that begins on Wednesday night [must recite a blessing]. When he sees the sun on Wednesday morning, he should recite the blessing "who performs the work of creation."
Similarly, the blessing "who performs the work of creation" should be recited when the moon reaches the beginning of the zodiac constellation taleh at the beginning of the month when it is not pointing to the north or the south, when any of the other five stars [that revolve in separate spheres] arrive at the beginning of the constellation taleh and do not point to the north or the south, and when one sees the constellation taleh ascend to the eastern corner [of the sky].
יחהָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַחַמָּה בְּיוֹם תְּקוּפַת נִיסָן שֶׁל תְּחִלַּת הַמַּחֲזוֹר שֶׁל שְׁמוֹנֶה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה שֶׁהַתְּקוּפָה בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל רְבִיעִי כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה אוֹתָהּ בְּיוֹם רְבִיעִי בַּבֹּקֶר מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ עוֹשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית. וְכֵן כְּשֶׁתַּחֲזֹר הַלְּבָנָה לִתְחִלַּת מַזַּל טָלֶה בִּתְחִלַּת הַחֹדֶשׁ וְלֹא תִּהְיֶה נוֹטָה לֹא לְצָפוֹן וְלֹא לְדָרוֹם. וְכֵן כְּשֶׁיַּחֲזֹר כָּל כּוֹכָב וְכוֹכָב מֵחֲמֵשֶׁת הַכּוֹכָבִים הַנִּשְׁאָרִים לִתְחִלַּת מַזַּל טָלֶה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה נוֹטֶה לֹא לְצָפוֹן וְלֹא לְדָרוֹם. וְכֵן בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁיִּרְאֶה מַזַּל טָלֶה עוֹלֶה מִקְּצֵה הַמִּזְרָח עַל כָּל אֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ מְבָרֵךְ עוֹשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית:
When a person sees a settlement of gentile homes, he should recite the verse (Proverbs 15:25): "God will pluck up the house of the proud." Should he see a desolate settlement of gentile homes, he should recite the verse (Psalms 94:1): "The Lord is a God of retribution. O God of retribution, reveal Yourself." When one sees gentile graves, he should recite the verse (Jeremiah 50:12): "Your mother shall be greatly ashamed...."
יטהָרוֹאֶה בָּתֵּי עַכּוּ״ם בְּיִשּׁוּבָן אוֹמֵר (משלי טו כה) ״בֵּית גֵּאִים יִסַּח יְיָ׳״. בְּחֻרְבָּנָן אוֹמֵר (תהילים צד א) ״אֵל נְקָמוֹת יְיָ׳ אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ״. רָאָה קִבְרֵי עַכּוּ״ם אוֹמֵר (ירמיה נ יב) ״בּוֹשָׁה אִמְּכֶם מְאֹד״ וְגוֹ׳:
A person who enters a bathhouse should say "May it be Your will, God, our Lord, to allow me to enter in peace and leave in peace, and may You save me from this and the like in the future."
When one leaves the bath, he should say, "I give thanks to You, God, our Lord, for saving me from fire."
כהַנִּכְנָס לַמֶּרְחָץ אוֹמֵר יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתַּכְנִיסֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתוֹצִיאֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִזֶּה וּמִכַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. וּכְשֶׁיֵּצֵא מִן הַמֶּרְחָץ אוֹמֵר מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁהִצַּלְתַּנִי מִן הָאוּר וְכוּ׳:
A person who goes to let blood should say, "May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that this activity bring me a recovery, for You are a generous healer." Afterward, he should recite the blessing, "Blessed are You, God... Healer of the sick."
כאהַנִּכְנָס לְהַקִּיז דָּם אוֹמֵר יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁיְּהֵא עֵסֶק זֶה לִי לִרְפוּאָה כִּי רוֹפֵא חִנָּם אָתָּה. וּכְשֶׁיֵּצֵא אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ׳ רוֹפֵא חוֹלִים:
A person who goes to measure his silo should say, "May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that You send blessing to the work of my hands." When he begins to measure, he should say, "Blessed be He who sends blessings to this heap of grain."
If he asks for mercy after measuring [his grain], his prayer is considered to be in vain. [Similarly,] whoever calls out [to God] over events that have already happened is considered to have uttered a prayer in vain.
כבהַהוֹלֵךְ לָמֹד גָּרְנוֹ אוֹמֵר יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי. הִתְחִיל לָמֹד אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ הַשּׁוֹלֵחַ בְּרָכָה בִּכְרִי זֶה. מָדַד וְאַחַר כָּךְ בִּקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים הֲרֵי זוֹ תְּפִלַּת שָׁוְא. וְכָל הַצּוֹעֵק לְשֶׁעָבַר הֲרֵי זוֹ תְּפִלַּת שָׁוְא:
When a person enters a house of study, he should say:
May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that I not stumble regarding a point of law, that I not call something that is pure impure, nor something that is impure pure, nor call something that is permitted forbidden, nor something that is forbidden permitted, and that I not err regarding a point of Scriptural Law and cause my colleagues to laugh at me, nor my colleagues err and I laugh at them.
כגהַנִּכְנָס לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁ אוֹמֵר יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁלֹּא אֶכָּשֵׁל בִּדְבַר הֲלָכָה שֶׁלֹּא אֹמַר עַל טָהוֹר טָמֵא וְעַל טָמֵא טָהוֹר וְלֹא עַל מֻתָּר אָסוּר וְלֹא עַל אָסוּר מֻתָּר וְלֹא אֶכָּשֵׁל בִּדְבַר הֲלָכָה וְיִשְׂמְחוּ בִּי חֲבֵרַי וְאַל יִכָּשְׁלוּ חֲבֵרַי וְאֶשְׂמַח בָּהֶם:
When one leaves the house of study, he should say:
I thank You, God, our Lord, that You have granted me a portion among those who sit in the House of Study and have not granted me a portion among those who sit on the street-corners.
I rise early and they rise early: I rise early to the words of Torah, and they rise early to fruitless matters. I labor and they labor: I labor for the words of Torah and receive a reward; they labor and do not receive a reward. I run and they run: I run to the life of the world to come, and they run to the pit of destruction.
וּבִיצִיאָתוֹ מִבֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ אוֹמֵר מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁשַּׂמְתָּ חֶלְקִי מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ וְלֹא שַׂמְתָּ חֶלְקִי מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי קְרָנוֹת שֶׁאֲנִי מַשְׁכִּים וְהֵם מַשְׁכִּימִים אֲנִי מַשְׁכִּים לְדִבְרֵי תּוֹרָה וְהֵם מַשְׁכִּימִים לִדְבָרִים בְּטֵלִים אֲנִי עָמֵל וְהֵם עֲמֵלִין אֲנִי עָמֵל לְדִבְרֵי תּוֹרָה וּמְקַבֵּל שָׂכָר וְהֵם עֲמֵלִין וְאֵין מְקַבְּלִין שָׂכָר אֲנִי רָץ וְהֵם רָצִים אֲנִי רָץ לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְהֵם רָצִים לִבְאֵר שַׁחַת:
A person who enters a metropolis should say, "May it be Your will, God, my Lord, to allow me to enter this metropolis in peace." If one enters in peace, he should say, "I thank You, God, my Lord, for allowing me to enter in peace."
When one desires to leave, he should say, "May it be Your will, God, my Lord, to allow me to depart from this metropolis in peace." If one departs in peace, he should say:
I thank You, God, my Lord, for allowing me to depart in peace. As You have allowed me to depart in peace, lead me [on my way] in peace, direct my steps in peace, support me in peace, and save me from the hands of the enemies and lurking foes on the way.
כההַנִּכְנָס לִכְרַךְ אוֹמֵר יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתַּכְנִיסֵנִי לִכְרַךְ זֶה לְשָׁלוֹם. וְאִם נִכְנַס בְּשָׁלוֹם אוֹמֵר מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁהִכְנַסְתַּנִי לְשָׁלוֹם. וּכְשֶׁיְּבַקֵּשׁ לָצֵאת אוֹמֵר יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתּוֹצִיאֵנִי מִכְּרַךְ זֶה לְשָׁלוֹם. וְאִם יָצָא בְּשָׁלוֹם אוֹמֵר מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁהוֹצֵאתַנִי מִכְּרַךְ זֶה לְשָׁלוֹם וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁהוֹצֵאתַנִי לְשָׁלוֹם כָּךְ תּוֹלִיכֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתִסְמְכֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִכַּף אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב בַּדֶּרֶךְ:
The general rule is: A person should always cry out [to God] over future possibilities, asking for mercy. He should thank [God] for what has transpired in the past, thanking Him and praising Him according to his capacity. Whoever praises and thanks God abundantly and continuously is worthy to be praised.
כוכְּלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר לְעוֹלָם יִצְעַק אָדָם עַל הֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא וִיבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים וְיִתֵּן הוֹדָיָה עַל מַה שֶּׁעָבַר וְיוֹדֶה וִישַׁבֵּחַ כְּפִי כֹּחוֹ. וְכָל הַמַּרְבֶּה לְהוֹדוֹת אֶת יְיָ׳ וּלְשַׁבְּחוֹ תָּמִיד הֲרֵי זֶה מְשֻׁבָּח: